Premium Bonds have been around since 1956 but they’ve recently been in the headlines again after the technology behind the popular saving option has been revamped. But before you put your hand in your pocket, it’s crucial to understand what Premium Bonds are and how they can potentially offer you a return.

Firstly, despite the name, Premium Bonds differ significantly from standard bonds. A bond represents a loan, with the investor receiving specified repayments over a defined period of time, interest may be variable or fixed. They are use...

Millions of more workers are now saving into a pension thanks to auto-enrolment. The retirement saving initiative saw minimum contributions rise at the start of the 2018/19 tax year. While it may be tempting to opt out in light of this, it could mean you’re hundreds of thousands of pounds worse off once you reach retirement.

Whilst you may not be affected by auto-enrolment, it’s likely that someone in your life is, perhaps children or grandchildren. The majority of workers are now automatically enrolled in their employer’s pension scheme ...

Are you thinking about purchasing an Annuity to fund your retirement lifestyle? It’s crucial to understand the product and shop around for the best deal as research suggests that many retirees could secure a better income.

An Annuity is a way of creating a guaranteed income throughout retirement if you have a Defined Contribution (DC) pension. Should you decide it’s the right option, the money accumulated in your pension is used to purchase an Annuity. Typically, the money paid out from an Annuity will be linked to inflation, maintaining ...

When it comes to falling ill or being injured for an extended period of time, we often think it won’t happen to us. But when questioned about it, research shows it’s something that worries more than half of us. When you consider the potential financial implications, it’s not surprising.

According to research from Royal London, 52% of workers worry about their income if they were to become too ill to work for longer than a month. With official figures showing this is the case for more than a million workers every year, it’s more likely to ...

Every day we make financial decisions, but you’ve probably spent little time thinking about the thought process that goes on behind each one you make. After all, we’ve evolved to make our decision-making processes quicker and easier.

While you may quickly decide whether a purchase is good value for money or to deposit savings into an account, there’s a lot that goes into it. The decisions we make, including those related to finance, are based on experiences, information we’ve stored, our general perception of the world and more. It means ...

One of the key decisions you need to make when investing is how much investment risk you want to take.

Weighing up the level of risk you’re willing to be exposed to can be challenging. It’s often one that’s ruled by emotions and your personal attitude to risk. While these factors should play a role, they aren’t the only areas you should be considering. Whether you’re reviewing your pension or building a personal investment portfolio, balancing risk is a crucial part of the process.

If it’s a step you’re taking, keeping these six points i...

Pensioners are increasingly taking advantage of the Pension Freedoms introduced in 2015. While the move offered far more flexibility in how you take an income in retirement, it also means there’s more responsibility on your shoulders too. For retirees that have chosen to leave some or all of their pension invested, protecting its value and the income it provides is important.

Flexi-Access Drawdown allows pensioners to leave some or all their pension invested, rather than purchasing an Annuity that provides a guaranteed income. It’s an att...

Are you planning to grow your investment portfolio this year? Are you interested in incorporating your ethics into the decision? More investors are choosing to invest sustainably, but it can seem complex. If it’s something you’re thinking about, we look at three key things to understand before you start moving your money.

Sustainable investment has gradually been moving into the mainstream. It’s about investing your money with the objective of backing companies that operate in a sustainable way, as well as thinking about profit.

You may ...

Retiring is a milestone many of us look forward to as it draws near. The prospect of leaving the world of work behind and having more free time to dedicate to the things you enjoy is certainly appealing. But research suggests that many of those approaching retirement don’t know when they can expect to receive their State Pension, putting their financial security and plans at risk.

The State Pension age has gradually been increasing for women over the last few years and it’s now increasing for all. Yet research commissioned by Age UK, sugg...