‘Pretirement’ might sound like an early retirement, but it’s anything but.

In fact, ‘pretirement’ is a term coined to describe the act of easing into retirement; or working beyond State Retirement Age. This could be full-time, part-time, or on a consultancy basis.

Of those reaching the age of 65 in 2018, 50% will enter ‘pretirement’, instead of leaving work completely, according to Prudential.

Reasons for staying in work

You may be wondering why people would choose to work when the best part of reaching retirement age is the ability to...

61% of UK adults do not have a will in place, according to Which?.  A fifth of those say they have not written a will as they have nothing worth passing on.

However, a will does so much more than just pass on material and financial assets. It is also used to help let those left behind know your wishes and could be the best way to ensure that they are followed, after you die, these can include:

1. Who oversees your estate

You need to choose who will be the executor(s) of your estate. They will take charge of it and make decisions on your...

How often do you wake up with the intention of getting financial advice as your number one priority?

For almost everyone, the answer is never. Rather, the urge to seek financial advice is usually triggered by an event, or idea.

According to research from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Less than one in 10 UK adults (6%) have sought regulated financial advice relating to investments, pensions or retirement planning, while a quarter are likely to need it.

This is a shame, as we see on a regular basis the benefits our clients get fr...

Microsoft founder, Bill Gates, once said; “The internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow.”

It’s clear that prediction is becoming reality. Think about all the things you can do in your local town square. Most of them can be done online instead, including food shopping, banking and catching up with friends.

Unfortunately, some processes have been taken out of the town square altogether, with a handful of government branches opting to go ‘digital by default’. That means some services can only be accessed onlin...

According to research from retirement accommodation specialists Anchor, the way living in old age is perceived by society could be completely out of line with what retirees actually want.

For older people, being able to make their own decisions regarding care is one of the most important aspects of independence. The research shows that 94% don’t want their children to be responsible for care, and 77% are worried that they may be a burden on their loved ones. Unsurprisingly, most people are hoping to look after themselves for as long as po...

The number of under-30s saving enough for retirement has increased from 30% to 39% in the past year, likely due to automatic enrolment in Workplace Pensions, according to Scottish Widows.

That’s good news, but still leaves 61% of young adults saving too little, or nothing at all, for later life.

To find solutions to this issue, it is important that we understand why young people are not saving enough, so that we can offer ways to improve their financial outlook.

Naturally, while many of us are young at heart, the years of 18-30s holida...

Research from Scottish Widows has shown that the top priorities for those planning for retirement, are generating an income (41%), and having flexibility over that money (40%).

Other goals came in much lower, with the ability to pass on benefits, such as an income or lump sum, to a spouse or dependent at 10% and control over investments at just 9%.

However, it is unlikely that the priorities you have for your retirement will be the same as everyone else. So, how can you identify your retirement aims, and further still, achieve them?

Und...

Almost two thirds (60%) of people believe that financial compatibility is one of the most important factors in a successful relationship, according to Scottish Widows.

But what is financial compatibility?

Like any part of a relationship, financial compatibility is multi-faceted and will look different for every couple. However, the research states that incompatibility “includes a lack of shared financial aspirations and different attitudes to spending and saving.”

Signs of financial incompatibility

You may be in a financially mismatche...

The way pensions are accessed at the beginning of retirement has changed since the introduction of Pension Freedoms in 2015. The reforms mean that those aged 55 and over are less restricted in their ability to access their retirement fund.

These options mean that those nearing pension age have been faced with a range of options and decisions, which have affected the pensions landscape both positively and negatively.

The four main changes to take place at the point of retirement are:

1. Cash is accessed differently

Since the reforms wer...