Sainsbury’s recently reversed their decision to make one of their stores till-free only. Thank God, says Tony Watts OBE I like to think that – despite the advancing years – I haven’t yet turned into Victor Meldrew. OK, I have the odd rant about overloud car stereos and young men displaying disturbingly large expanses of […]

A fraction over half of UK workers (52%) say they are confident about their ability to retire comfortably – a slight increase on 2017 when it was 48%. That’s according to new research by Aegon, published in their Retirement Confidence Survey, which also reveals the other worrying stats that: 10% don’t have any pension savings […]

The future of annuities – for years the principal route for people to secure an income in retirement – has been thrown into question after rates sank to their lowest ever point in September. According to research from Moneyfacts.co.uk, income payable has fallen by over 10% since the beginning of the year this year alone […]

Does new report signal the long-term thinking of the Conservative Party… or is this just an outlier to speed a more modest rise in the SPA? And how might the next generation of pensioners be affected? A controversial new report from the Centre for Social Justice has achieved just what it intended to achieve: headlines. […]

Millions of mid-life employees are said to be “flying blind into retirement”, unaware of how much pension they will receive… or whether it will be enough to secure a comfortable retirement. New research from Aviva claims that nine million of those approaching retirement do not know how much they will need to have in their […]

  Ever wondered just how much you’ll be able to comfortably spend in retirement – or when (or if!) you can afford to leave work? Going to an advisor could cost you hundreds… or you could spend just £4.99 for an accurate snapshot. Less than you’d spend on two lattes. Subscribe to a RetireEasy LifePlan and […]

  There is a growing trend these days for employers to provide financial well-being courses and lectures for their employees – As we know financial matters can be pretty challenging at times particularly for the young so any help an emplyer can give must be applauded. But what does financial well-being mean and how does […]

  The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is introducing new protections for savers to help reduce the numbers of those who take cash out of their pension pots without knowing the full long-term implications for their retirement finances. The move is aimed particularly at those who don’t take independent financial advice, and who could otherwise find […]

  New figures from market analysts Laing Buisson show that care fees have almost doubled in the last two decades: they were, an average of £844 a week last year – up from £445 in 1998. Those paying the fees are those with property and savings: anyone with savings under £23,250 can have their fees […]

An unknown number of people aged 55 and over are currently breaching pension tax regulations – and being fined for doing so… although the HMRC, which imposes the penalties, say they don’t know how many people are affected. The situation has been exposed following a freedom of information request by Royal London director of policy, […]