High levels of inflation and economic uncertainty continue to plague the investment markets. Investment portfolios are likely experiencing volatility – read on to find out what has been influencing markets.

Despite the doom and gloom statistics, financial services firm JP Morgan suggests that a global recession could be avoided as inflationary pressures ease.

As an investor, you may worry about what the current circumstances mean for your investments and financial goals. Remember, you should invest with a long-term time frame in mind and...

The amount of wealth that’s accessible through equity release is on the rise. It’s something more people are using to boost their income later in life for a variety of reasons. Read on to find out what equity release is and why people are using it.

You could use equity release to unlock property wealth

Equity release is a type of long-term loan that allows you to take out cash from the value of your home.

The most common way of doing this is through a lifetime mortgage. With this option, you don’t have to make loan repayments. Instead, ...

A trust can be a valuable financial tool when you want to pass on wealth to loved ones. Rather than simply handing over assets, you can set out your wishes and maintain control over how they’re used. So, understanding what your wishes are and how to ensure they’re followed is important.

A trust is a legal arrangement. It allows you to set aside assets, such as cash, investments, or property, for another person or persons, known as the “beneficiary”. Rather than the beneficiary having access to these assets to use as they wish, a trustee w...

More people are choosing to gift wealth during their lifetime rather than leaving assets as an inheritance. There are benefits to choosing a living legacy, but there are things you need to consider too, including your long-term financial security and the potential tax implications.

According to an Aviva survey, more than half of those over 55 want to give a living legacy. It’s a trend that suggests a move away from leaving money to your family when you pass away.

There are many reasons why you may want to create a living legacy, includin...

How do you think retirement in the UK compares to other countries? According to a report in the Telegraph, the UK ranks 19th, falling behind the likes of Australia, Germany, and Ireland. Read on to find out why and what you can do to overcome the challenges UK retirees face.

The research incorporated several factors for assessing how comfortable and secure retirement is. Among the areas measured were the quality of financial services, a pensioner’s ability to preserve their savings, access to health services, and general living conditions...

As the cost of living rises, you may be considering increasing how much you withdraw from your pension. While it could solve short-term challenges, it’s important that you think about how it could affect your future too.

Several factors, including the war in Ukraine and the long-term effects of the pandemic, mean that inflation is much higher than it has been in recent decades. In the 12 months to September 2022, the rate of inflation was 10.1%. 

Your regular outgoings are likely to have increased, as well as the cost of discretionary sp...

It would be fair to say that the recent “mini-Budget” ended up being anything but.

A series of tax cuts, the reversal of both the National Insurance increase and a planned Corporation Tax rise, and an eye-wateringly large intervention in energy markets prompted unprecedented market movements and even a rebuke from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The announcement was swiftly followed by the pound falling to a record low against the dollar (although it has now recovered, somewhat) and a sharp rise in the interest rate the UK pays ...

Buy-to-let properties can provide an additional income stream and help you to support your goals. As a result, becoming a landlord is something you may have thought about.

For example, you may want to purchase a buy-to-let property to diversify your assets or provide children with an inheritance. One of the most common reasons is to fund retirement.

However, it’s also common to have concerns about buy-to-let. You may worry about understanding the regulations and tax requirements if you become a landlord.

If you’re thinking about investing...

The cost of living is rising quicker than has been normal in the last few decades. Indeed, the last time inflation was this high was in the 1980s. So, what happened then compared to now?

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), inflation in the 12 months to June 2022 was 9.4%. As a result, the cost of living is creeping up, from your household bills to days out. The Bank of England (BoE) expects inflation to reach 11% this year before it begins to fall.

There are several key reasons why inflation is higher now. The effects ...