Q. My partner and I who are both in our twenties have two young children, aged 6 and 4. My partner has a salary of £28,000 per year, and I currently look after the children.  He has life cover through work which pays out 4 times his salary. Is this enough? A. This is one of those… Read more »

Q. I am almost 70 and have been a widow for over 20 years. One of my sons is living and working in the Republic of Ireland near Dublin and I am considering selling my house in England and buying a house near to where he lives. I am in no rush but am currently weighing… Read more »

Q. I am 83. My neighbour has told me that she has given her house away to her son through a trust to protect it from being taken by the local authority if she goes into care. Is this a good idea? A. Unfortunately, it is not quite as simple as that. The main problem is that… Read more »

Q. I have benefits in a final salary pension scheme. I like the sound of the new rules whereby I can draw the fund as a lump sum, as I want to buy a holiday cottage. How do I go about this? A. The new rules offering greater flexibility to draw your fund all at once… Read more »

Q. My mother, who is 78, needs to raise some money for a new central heating boiler. She has only her state pension with a small savings account, but she owns her own home which is worth £200,000, with no mortgage outstanding. What options does she have? A. The first thing to check is whether… Read more »