Retirement planning has entered a new era. For years, the focus was squarely on financial capital—tangible assets like pensions, savings, and investments. But for today’s retirees, especially those without the safety net of generous defined benefit (DB) pensions, financial capital alone isn’t enough. The spotlight is shifting towards human capital strategies—an often-overlooked but vital component … Continue reading Human Capital Strategies: The Future of Retirement Planning
Tag: retirement-planning
A Warning to Advisers: When Tax Breaks Overshadow Life Goals
For years, the allure of tax-efficient strategies has driven financial advice, particularly in the world of pensions. Advisers have worked diligently to help clients accumulate wealth outside the reach of inheritance tax (IHT). However, the recent Autumn Budget serves as a stark reminder: political shifts can quickly dismantle even the most well-intentioned recommendations. While tax … Continue reading A Warning to Advisers: When Tax Breaks Overshadow Life Goals
Retirement Planning: Why It’s Time to Focus on Human Capital Over Financial Capital
The way we approach retirement is changing. Traditional financial planning has long centred on building financial capital—pensions, savings, and investments—to secure our future. But the cracks in this strategy are becoming harder to ignore. For many, it no longer holds up under the weight of increased life expectancy, economic uncertainty, and the changing nature of … Continue reading Retirement Planning: Why It’s Time to Focus on Human Capital Over Financial Capital
Why Working Into Later Life Could Be the Solution We Need
The UK is on a collision course with a looming pension crisis, with experts warning that millions of retirees will face financial struggles in the coming decades. While policy discussions often centre around raising pension contributions, there’s another solution that seems glaringly overlooked: working longer. This isn’t just about economic necessity—it’s about giving people the … Continue reading Why Working Into Later Life Could Be the Solution We Need
Good News from the Budget: A Rethink on Auto-Enrolment?
In a surprising twist from the recent Budget, the government might just be reconsidering its push to expand auto-enrolment (AE) requirements for businesses. Why might this be good news, you ask? Simply put, it’s a matter of timing, especially as the nation grapples with a cost-of-living crisis. At the Academy of Life Planning, we believe … Continue reading Good News from the Budget: A Rethink on Auto-Enrolment?
Labour’s Legacy on Pensions: A History of Tax Raids and Shifting Sands
For many in the UK, pensions have long represented the promise of security in retirement, a reward for a lifetime of hard work. But recent history has seen pensions repeatedly swept up in policy changes, each bringing new challenges for savers. Today, it seems we’re on the cusp of yet another significant shift, prompting many … Continue reading Labour’s Legacy on Pensions: A History of Tax Raids and Shifting Sands
Is Saving More the Solution to Middle Britain’s Financial Woes?
As households across Britain tighten their belts, the financial services industry has a bold suggestion to boost resilience: give them more of your money! The logic, apparently, is simple—set aside more cash for the future, even if that means sacrificing some of today's financial comfort. But while that sounds responsible on the surface, it ignores … Continue reading Is Saving More the Solution to Middle Britain’s Financial Woes?
Beyond the Pension Crisis: Reimagining Retirement as an Age of Opportunity
For years, the financial industry has sounded alarm bells about a looming pension crisis, declaring that people will fall short of funds by the time they hit their 60s. And they’re not wrong—if we look solely at financial capital, things do indeed look bleak. Research by Phoenix Insights suggests that more than half of future … Continue reading Beyond the Pension Crisis: Reimagining Retirement as an Age of Opportunity
Finding Purpose in Retirement: An Encore Career for Whole-Person Well-Being
Retirement can be a thrilling chapter, yet for many, it brings a sense of emptiness. After years of work that define purpose, rhythm, and even self-worth, moving into retirement isn’t just about budgeting or relocating; it’s about building a new identity. For some, that might mean finding an "encore career"—work that doesn’t feel like work, … Continue reading Finding Purpose in Retirement: An Encore Career for Whole-Person Well-Being
Keep Your Retirement on Track: National Pension Tracing Day is Here!
This Sunday, 27 October, marks National Pension Tracing Day—a timely reminder to reconnect with any “lost” pensions you may have. According to the latest report by the Pensions Policy Institute (PPI), there are nearly 3.3 million pension pots—worth a staggering £31.1 billion—that have become “lost” or “disconnected” from their owners. With the average disconnected pot … Continue reading Keep Your Retirement on Track: National Pension Tracing Day is Here!
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