By Steve Conley, Founder of the Academy of Life Planning and Author of "Your Money or Your Life: Unmask the Highway Robbers – Enjoy Wealth in Every Area of Your Life" Yesterday evening, I had the eye-opening experience of participating in the Transparency Taskforce webinar, aptly titled "How Some IFAs Steal Pensions with Impunity." The … Continue reading Unmasking Highway Robbers: The Urgent Need for Financial Transparency and Integrity →

Introduction Recent research suggests that one in three self-employed individuals lack a pension plan, sparking concerns about their financial future. While the data is indeed thought-provoking, it's crucial to examine the broader context. This article aims to provide a balanced perspective on pension planning, particularly for the self-employed, and challenges the fear-driven narrative that often … Continue reading Challenging the Fear Narrative: A Balanced Look at Pension Planning for the Self-Employed →

Introduction Welcome to another exciting chapter in the journey of the Academy of Life Planning! We're thrilled to introduce you to our latest innovation: the MosaicCFO Hub. This service is designed to be your Financial Architect, a role that brings together a collaborative panel of experts to construct a comprehensive financial blueprint for our clients. … Continue reading MosaicCFO Hub: Your Financial Architect for a Holistic Future →

Introduction The financial planning landscape is undergoing a seismic shift. Intermediating financial planners are raising their investable asset thresholds, leaving a growing number of clients in the lurch. This change is driven by increasing regulatory costs and the need to demonstrate value-for-money under Consumer Duty assessments. But is this strategy sustainable, or is it a … Continue reading The Rising Asset Thresholds: A Wake-Up Call for Financial Planning Industry →

In the world of financial planning, there are two distinct camps: those who sleep soundly at night and those who toss and turn, haunted by future liabilities. The difference often boils down to one word: intermediation. The Self-Directing Financial Planner On one side, we have financial planners who empower their clients to self-direct their portfolios. … Continue reading The Two Sides of Financial Planning: A Tale of Sleepless Nights and Peaceful Retirements →

The Surge in Pension Allowance Charges: A Wake-Up Call Recent HMRC data has laid bare a startling truth: pension allowance charges have skyrocketed. The figures for the tax year 2021/22 reveal that annual allowance charges surged to £335mn, a significant leap from £202mn in the previous year. The Taxman's Response: A Band-Aid Solution In an … Continue reading The Unveiled Reality of Pension Allowance Charges: A Shift Towards Sustainable Livelihoods →

A recent FSCS study reveals that over half of UK adults are concerned about their financial well-being in retirement. While these concerns are understandable, I believe there's a more empowering approach to planning for the future.

Introduction In 2020, I highlighted a critical issue plaguing the financial advice industry: the "Fee for No Service" problem. This issue is not confined to St. James's Place (SJP); it extends to other firms like Quilter, Brewin Dolphin, Rathbones, Hargreaves Lansdown, and typical Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs). The problem has far-reaching consequences for both clients and … Continue reading The “Fee for No Service” Quagmire: A Ticking Time Bomb for Advisers and Clients Alike →

Introduction The world is at a crossroads. With increasing income inequality and a growing divide between the haves and the have-nots, the need for financial empowerment has never been greater. At the Academy of Life Planning, we believe that the key to unlocking this empowerment lies in separating financial planning from financial advice. This distinction … Continue reading Empowering the World Through Financial Planning, Not Financial Advice →