When you seek financial advice, you might assume that working with a firm registered and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) offers reassurance and guarantees. After all, these firms are required to maintain professional indemnity (PI) insurance to cover potential claims. However, recent trends suggest that consumers may need to reassess how much protection … Continue reading Are Financial Advice Firms as Secure as They Seem?
Tag: personal-finance
🎄What an inspiring year it has been for the Academy of Life Planning! 🎉
As 2024 comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect on the milestones, growth, and impact we’ve achieved together. From empowering individuals to take charge of their financial futures to strengthening the community of values-driven planners, this year has been one of transformation and progress. Let’s take a look back 👇: … Continue reading 🎄What an inspiring year it has been for the Academy of Life Planning! 🎉
Understanding the Challenges Facing SJP Advisers: A Call for Proactive Planning
If you’re an adviser with St. James’s Place (SJP), and considering your options in today’s turbulent financial climate, it’s essential to understand the current landscape—and how it might affect your future. With advisers owing significant sums to SJP and associated lenders, the financial dynamics have become increasingly complex. Let’s break it down together. The Loan … Continue reading Understanding the Challenges Facing SJP Advisers: A Call for Proactive Planning
Empowerment, Not Nudges: A Better Way to Serve Underserved Communities
The Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) proposals on targeted support have been widely discussed as a step towards bridging the advice gap. But are we missing the bigger picture? For underserved communities—those who most need accessible, trustworthy support—there’s a crucial difference between empowerment and nudges. While targeted support offers well-intentioned suggestions, it risks funnelling people towards … Continue reading Empowerment, Not Nudges: A Better Way to Serve Underserved Communities
The Next New Shiny Thing Syndrome: Why Good Investments Should Be Boring
In today’s fast-paced financial world, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the latest investment opportunity. Whether it’s cryptocurrencies, zero-fee pensions, or AI-driven platforms, there’s no shortage of shiny new things claiming to revolutionise the way we save and invest. But as someone who’s spent decades overseeing product review teams in banks—and … Continue reading The Next New Shiny Thing Syndrome: Why Good Investments Should Be Boring
Raising Living Standards: A Welcome Shift for the Public and Holistic Financial Planners
Last week, Keir Starmer made a decisive shift in focus—moving from a narrow "growth objective" to a broader and far more meaningful goal: raising living standards. For the public and holistic financial planners alike, this is a breath of fresh air and a move in the right direction. Why? Because the old focus on growth … Continue reading Raising Living Standards: A Welcome Shift for the Public and Holistic Financial Planners
Debunking Two Myths About the Advice Gap
The term “advice gap” has been widely used in financial services to describe the absence of accessible financial advice for certain segments of the population. However, two persistent myths about this so-called “gap” need to be addressed to ensure we’re truly solving the right problems. Myth 1: There Is a Genuine Advice Gap The first … Continue reading Debunking Two Myths About the Advice Gap
The Power of Reviewing Your Pension: Take Charge of Your Retirement Today
As retirement approaches, many people feel a growing need to review their financial arrangements. Recent studies show that the more you review your plans, the better you feel about your financial future. But here’s the good news: reviewing your pension doesn’t have to involve an ongoing relationship with a financial adviser. In fact, you can … Continue reading The Power of Reviewing Your Pension: Take Charge of Your Retirement Today
Thank Goodness They’ve Put the Brakes on Expanding Auto-Enrolment!
For once, it feels like common sense has prevailed. The decision to pause the expansion of auto-enrolment pensions is a welcome relief, especially for businesses and individuals already feeling the strain of financial pressures. Increasing minimum contribution rates, reducing the minimum enrolment age from 22 to 18, and removing earnings thresholds might sound like progressive … Continue reading Thank Goodness They’ve Put the Brakes on Expanding Auto-Enrolment!
Presencing in Financial Planning: Shifting from Ego to Soul for Meaningful Client-Centred Solutions
In today's rapidly evolving financial landscape, there's a growing movement towards a more holistic, client-centred approach known as "presencing." This method shifts the focus from traditional, ego-centric financial planning—which often prioritises assets and transactions—to a soul-centric model that emphasises genuine human connection and the client's overall well-being. Understanding Presencing in Financial Planning Presencing, a concept … Continue reading Presencing in Financial Planning: Shifting from Ego to Soul for Meaningful Client-Centred Solutions
Academy of Life Planning 