Q. I am about to cash in my smallest pension pot, which after tax will give me just enough to repay my outstanding mortgage of £15,000. Other than the tax situation, and the fact that I am spending some of my retirement income now rather than when I retire, both of which I understand, are there… Read more »
Q. I am 55 years old and am confused about the new state pension. On the one hand it appears that everyone is going to get approximately £155 per week but I requested a state pension forecast and I am only forecasted to get £136 per week. I have a full NI record since the… Read more »
Q. I keep reading of the “Triple Lock” for state pensions, it looks like it is a good thing, but what does it mean? A. The triple lock was introduced by the coalition in 2010 and in simple terms is a guarantee to increase the state pension every year by the higher of inflation, average… Read more »
Q. I have recently taken out a life assurance policy for the benefit of my partner and our children, and was advised to use a trust arrangement to do so. Can you explain why this is needed? A. A trust is a legal entity whereby the person setting up the trust (the “settlor”), gives property… Read more »
Q. I was always under the impression that gifts made more than 7 years before you died were ignored for Inheritance tax purposes, but a friend of mine has told me it has changed and it now 14 years, is that correct? A. No, the rules have not changed, but there is a particular situation… Read more »
