Longer Lives Need Better Navigation — Not Longer Dependency

Where do you think helpful financial support crosses the line into dependency? We extended life. But we did not redesign financial planning around it. That is the central argument in Simon Chan’s recent article on how longer lives are changing what people need from financial advisers. It is an important argument, and much of it … Continue reading Longer Lives Need Better Navigation — Not Longer Dependency

Agency Story No. 2: The Couple Who Came Back When the Decision Changed

Rachel and David did not need someone permanently managing their financial lives. They needed a way to explore retirement for themselves, followed by focused human support when the remaining decisions became more complex. Names and certain identifying details have been changed to protect client confidentiality. The underlying circumstances, planning process and client quotations remain faithful … Continue reading Agency Story No. 2: The Couple Who Came Back When the Decision Changed

Only 9% Are on Course for a Comfortable Retirement. The Real Problem Is Not Just Pension Saving.

A newspaper headline this week captured something many people already feel in their bones: Only 9% of the working population are on course for a comfortable retirement. Another headline put the figure even more starkly: The £1.2m cost of a comfortable retirement in Britain today. The story is familiar. People are living longer. The cost … Continue reading Only 9% Are on Course for a Comfortable Retirement. The Real Problem Is Not Just Pension Saving.

2.2 Million People Think Pension Engagement Is Pointless. That Should Worry Us All.

Ask My Pension is now in free beta at AskMyPension.app — built to help people ask clearer pension questions before they give up. A new report from People’s Pension should give everyone in financial planning pause. According to research reported by Zoe Wickens, one in eight employees — around 2.2 million people — say it … Continue reading 2.2 Million People Think Pension Engagement Is Pointless. That Should Worry Us All.

The Missing Asset in Britain’s Retirement Debate

Why Financial Planners Must Start Planning Human Capital — Not Just Pension Pots The Pensions Commission has warned, in the Pensions 2050: evidence and future priorities – interim report, that 15 million people are on course for inadequate retirement incomes. The proposed solutions will sound familiar: higher pension contributions, wider automatic enrolment, stronger retirement safeguards, … Continue reading The Missing Asset in Britain’s Retirement Debate

12.2 Million People Are Being Told They Face Pension Poverty.

But What If the Missing Asset… Is You? A new retirement report from Scottish Widows says 12.2 million people across the UK are at risk of “pension poverty.” The proposed solutions are familiar: Save more into pensions Increase auto-enrolment contributions Invest more for longer Build larger retirement pots Those things matter. But there is another … Continue reading 12.2 Million People Are Being Told They Face Pension Poverty.

🧭 Auto-Enrolment’s Hidden Crisis: 10 Million Dormant Pots and the Price of Passive Saving

By Steve Conley, Academy of Life Planning “When systems are built on inertia, they collapse under disengagement.” New data released under a Freedom of Information request has revealed a shocking truth:Less than one-third of Nest’s 13.7 million members are paying into their pensions.That means nearly 10 million workers—almost half the UK workforce—have abandoned their pension … Continue reading 🧭 Auto-Enrolment’s Hidden Crisis: 10 Million Dormant Pots and the Price of Passive Saving

🧭 Affordability or Opportunity? Rethinking Why Older Workers Keep Working

By Steve Conley – Academy of Life Planning When new research tells us that “older Londoners can’t afford to retire,” it’s worth pausing to ask: is that really the full story? According to data analysed by Bower Home Finance, seven of the UK’s top ten areas where people over 65 remain in work are in … Continue reading 🧭 Affordability or Opportunity? Rethinking Why Older Workers Keep Working