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The 3 main types of Life Insurance

Life insurance offers peace of mind that your loved ones will be financially supported if the unexpected happens. Choosing the right policy depends on your personal circumstances, what you want the cover to achieve, and how long you would like it to last.

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Autumn Budget IPFA

The Autumn Budget 2025 introduced a number of updates that may affect how income, savings, pensions and property are taxed in the coming years. While some measures have been widely discussed, others are less visible but still important for households to understand. This blog provides a quick and easy guide to the key announcements so you can stay informed about what has changed and how these updates may relate to your personal financial situation.

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What to Consider When Buying Life Insurance

Buying life insurance is one of the most important financial decisions you can make to protect your loved ones. A suitable life insurance policy can provide peace of mind that your family will have financial support if the unexpected happens.

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How Does Life Insurance Work?

Life insurance is designed to give peace of mind. It is a policy that pays a cash lump sum if you die during the cover term, helping your loved ones manage financially. But how does it actually work in practice? In this guide, we explain how premiums are set, what happens when a claim is made, and the different options available.

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Aaron Reed Aaron Reed

What is Life Insurance?

Life insurance is something many of us know we should think about, yet it often slips to the bottom of the list. Planning for “what if” scenarios can feel uncomfortable, but life insurance is not about focusing on the worst. It is about providing security and peace of mind for the people who matter most.

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What Home Insurance Do I Need When Renting?

Renting gives you the flexibility of a home without the long-term commitment of a mortgage. But while you may not own the property, it is still important to think about how to protect yourself and your belongings. That is where home insurance for renters comes in.

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What Insurance Do I Need When Taking Out a Mortgage?

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial commitments you will ever make. Alongside the excitement of getting the keys, there is also the responsibility of protecting both the property and the people who live in it. That is where insurance comes in.

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Types of Home Insurance

Your home is likely your most valuable asset, so protecting it makes sense. Home insurance provides financial cover if something unexpected happens to your property or belongings. From fire and floods to burglary and accidents, the right policy can prevent a household emergency from becoming a financial crisis.

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What is Mortgage Protection Insurance

For many households, the mortgage is the single biggest financial commitment. Owning a home brings security, but it also comes with the responsibility of meeting monthly repayments, often for 20 years or more. If illness, injury or death meant you could no longer keep up with those repayments, the consequences could be life changing. The last thing you would want is for your family to face the risk of losing their home at the same time as coping with such challenges.

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What is Income Protection Insurance?

Most of us rely on our income to cover the essentials, from mortgage or rent payments through to utility bills, food shopping and family activities. For many households, that monthly salary is the cornerstone of financial stability. But what would happen if illness or injury forced you to stop working for several months, or even longer? The sudden loss of income can quickly create stress and financial pressure.

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A Quick Guide To Insurance and Protection

When people think about financial planning, the focus is often on saving, investing, or paying off a mortgage. Yet protection and insurance are just as important, acting as the safety net that keeps everything else secure.

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What happens to my pension when I die?

It’s natural to think of pensions as part of your retirement plan - but they can also play a role in what you leave behind. Whether you’re still saving or already drawing an income, it’s important to understand what happens to your pension when you die, and how it could support your loved ones.

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How Will Paying for Long-Term Care Impact My Inheritance Plan?

As we get older, planning for the future becomes about more than just enjoying retirement. For many, it also includes thinking about how to pass on wealth to loved ones. But what happens when long-term care is needed - and how could this affect your inheritance plans?

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What is a Drawdown Pension?

If you’re getting close to retirement, you might be thinking about how to use your pension money. One popular option is a drawdown pension. This blog will explain what it is, how it works, and whether it could be the right choice for you.

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What is a Final Salary Pension?

When it comes to planning for retirement, understanding your pension options is key to making informed decisions. One term you may have come across is a final salary pension. But what exactly does it mean, and how does it compare to other pension schemes?

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Do You Pay Tax on Your Pension?

When you start planning for retirement, one of the most common questions is: Do I pay tax on my pension?

The short answer is: yes, in most cases. However, how much tax you pay depends on the type of pension, how you access it, and your overall income in retirement. Understanding how pension income is taxed can help you make more informed decisions about how and when to draw your pension.

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How to Find Old Pensions

It’s easy to lose track of pensions over the years. With most people in the UK having multiple jobs throughout their working life, it’s common to have several pension pots scattered across different providers. Some may be small, others might be forgotten altogether.

Finding and understanding your old pensions is an important step towards planning for your future. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to track down lost pensions, what details you’ll need, and how speaking to a financial adviser can help simplify the process.

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What is a SIPP?

A SIPP is a type of personal pension that allows you to take greater control over your retirement investments. Like all pensions, it’s a long-term savings plan designed to help you build up a pot of money for your later years - with tax relief applied to your contributions, up to certain limits.

However, what makes a SIPP different from other personal pensions is the range of investment choices available. With a traditional personal pension, you’re usually limited to a few managed funds selected by the provider. With a SIPP, you can choose from a much wider range of assets.

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Balancing Saving for Short-Term Goals With Saving for Retirement

Balancing short-term financial goals with long-term retirement planning can be a challenging yet crucial task. Many people in the UK face the dilemma of needing to save for immediate needs, such as a deposit on a house or an emergency fund, while also building towards their retirement.

It’s a bit of a juggling act that requires careful planning and strategy. Today, we’ll explore practical strategies to help you save for both short-term goals and retirement effectively.

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Do You Pay National Insurance on Pensions?

As you approach retirement, it’s natural to think about what taxes you might still need to pay. A question that often comes up is whether you still have to pay National Insurance on your pension income.

The short answer is no - but there are a few important details to understand, especially if you continue working or receive income from multiple sources.

In this guide, we explain when National Insurance stops, why pension income is treated differently, and what to keep in mind when planning your retirement income.

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