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Feb 03 2026

The money lessons you can teach children at every stage to boost their financial literacy

Financial literacy was first introduced into the national curriculum back in 2014, aimed at children aged between 11 and 16.

However, the delivery was inconsistent, as the requirement wasn’t mandatory across all schools.

Now, as part of a curriculum assessment, a stronger approach to financial literacy lessons is being adopted. From 2028, this education will be mandatory in primary schools, reinforced at secondary level, and recommended in post-16 education.

Read on to find out more about the new proposals, what parents can do to support financial literacy in children, and why it’s so important for young people to have a wider financial knowledge.

Boosting children’s financial literacy can benefit both them and the wider economy

Financial education in the national curriculum covers core concepts such as budgeting, debt, interest, mortgages, and pensions, as well as exploring how mathematical concepts can be applied in real-world scenarios.

The government recognised the need to instil these skills and knowledge from an early age, including financial education on the curriculum for the first time in 2014.

However, this was shown to be patchy in delivery, with the Curriculum Assessment Review (10 November 2025) finding that only a third of children were able to recall learning about money in school.

The report also cites research that greater financial literacy could boost the UK economy by £7 billion each year by increasing entrepreneurship and business formation.

Children themselves are keen to learn more about finances, with the Young Person’s Money Index (1 August 2024) 2023/24 finding:

  • 81% of young people worry about money
  • 85% would like to improve their financial situation
  • 82% want to learn more about money and finance in school.

The new proposals will operate at three levels of education: primary, secondary, and post-16. Here’s how this education could impact at different levels, and practical things parents can do to support this learning.

Primary school: mandatory

This is the time when money habits are established in children. At this age, they can begin to understand the difference between essentials and luxuries, and why they might choose to save.

Education at this stage is helpful to enable children to:

  • Start to develop key life skills, such as problem-solving and critical thinking
  • Form good habits, like saving and responsible spending
  • Gain confidence in making decisions and talking about money.

Parents can support financial literacy lessons by encouraging more independence at home. For example, by giving your child a set amount of pocket money each week or month and allowing them to choose how to spend it.

This can also be a good age to introduce the concept of waiting for something they really want, and realising that if they save for one item, it will mean not spending on another.

Secondary school: reinforced

Learning at senior school level can build on the foundations laid in primary school, helping children to grasp more complicated topics, such as the effects of compounding, how a mortgage works, and when they might choose to use a credit card.

At this stage, children can start to:

  • Understand the concept of budgeting and informed spending
  • Learn how to prevent future debt
  • Become aware of fraud, financial scams, and online risk.

This is a good age to open a bank account for your children, if they don’t yet have one, to show them how interest works in real life.

If it’s possible, it can also be a good time to talk to them about how investing works, and you could open a Junior ISA (JISA). These can be opened for children under 18 by a parent/guardian, and you can pay in up to £9,000 a year (in 2025/26).

Interest on a JISA is free from Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax (CGT). Your child won’t be able to access the money until they turn 18, when the JISA automatically becomes an adult ISA.

This can introduce them to the concept of thinking about different ways to save their money, rather than using cash savings as the standard option.

Post-16 education: recommended

At this point, teenagers will be thinking about their future and possibly taking out a student loan or saving up for big-ticket items.

As they make their transition into adulthood, this is a good time for them to:

  • Learn more about their own personal approach to finances
  • Discover the employability benefits of being financially literate
  • Understand how they can contribute to the economy.

At this age, teens are often keen to save up for bigger items, such as driving lessons. They may also be working part-time, which can aid their understanding of tax and National Insurance (NI).

Now is a good time to talk about social media, as research from Santander (8 January 2025) shows that almost a third of young people turn to it for financial advice, with 25% of those relying on TikTok. Many of these “finfluencers” lack any formal training, and their advice, however well-intended, isn’t tailored towards individual circumstances.

Having conversations about the value of independent professional financial advice can help your teens to reduce their reliance on unverified sources of advice.

Get in touch

Financial literacy is important at every age. If there’s ever anything you’d like to know more about or would like clarified, please get in touch, and we’ll be happy to help.

Please note: This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at individuals only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Investments should be considered over the longer term and should fit in with your overall attitude to risk and financial circumstances.


Written by SteveB · Categorized: News

Feb 03 2026

The power of pension tax relief and how it could boost your retirement income

If you’re saving for retirement, you will want to get the most out of what you’re putting into your workplace or private pension.

Fortunately, there are plenty of tax efficiencies when you save your wealth into a pension.

Indeed, any investment returns generated within your fund are typically free from Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax.

Better yet, you can also receive tax relief on your contributions, significantly bolstering the value of your pot over time.

Despite these advantages, many people overlook one of the most valuable benefits pensions offer.

Research from PensionsAge (8 December 2025) found that 44% of UK adults don’t know what pension tax relief is, while just 31% could identify its purpose.

Over time, missing out on pension tax relief could be costly. So, continue reading to find out how pension tax relief works and how it could significantly improve your retirement income.

Pension tax relief is when the government tops up your contributions

When you pay into a pension, the government essentially “tops up” these contributions based on your marginal rate of Income Tax. Looking at it another way, tax relief acts as a “refund” of the Income Tax you have already paid on the money you put in your pot.

As a result, in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, a £100 payment into your pension would typically cost:

  • £80 if you pay basic-rate Income Tax
  • £60 if you pay higher-rate Income Tax
  • £55 if you pay additional-rate Income Tax.

Please note, Income Tax bands and rates are different in Scotland, which affects pension tax relief.

For most personal pensions, basic-rate tax relief is applied automatically using a system known as “relief at source”. Some schemes use net pay arrangements, where tax relief is applied differently (this article talks about relief at source only).

If you pay higher- or additional-rate tax, you’re usually entitled to relief at your marginal rate. However, this portion isn’t added automatically. Instead, you usually need to claim it through your self-assessment tax return or by directly contacting HMRC.

Many people forget to do this. Standard Life (24 February 2025) estimates that up to £1.3 billion of extra relief went unclaimed between the 2016/17 and 2020/21 tax years.

This can make a considerable difference:

  • A £1,250 total pension contribution would cost a basic-rate taxpayer £1,000, as £250 is added by HMRC.
  • For a higher-rate taxpayer, the same total contribution would only cost £750 once the extra relief is claimed.

As such, ensuring you claim everything you are entitled to could substantially increase the amount of money you can put towards retirement.

If you believe you have missed out in the past, it’s worth noting that it is possible to backdate your tax relief claims for up to four tax years.

There are limits to the amount you can tax-efficiently contribute to your pension

While the incentives of tax relief are generous, there are limits on how much you can pay into your pension each year tax-efficiently.

You can receive tax relief on any pension contributions worth up to 100% of your earnings for that tax year. But if you surpass the Annual Allowance, your contributions could face a tax charge.

The Annual Allowance sets the maximum amount that can be contributed across all your pensions in a single tax year without incurring a tax charge.

As of 2025/26, this is £60,000. While the Annual Allowance does reset each year, you may be able to carry forward unused allowances from the previous three tax years, provided you were still a member of a pension at the time. You also need to use all of the current year’s allowance before you can carry forward.

It’s vital to note that if you have a high income, you may face the Tapered Annual Allowance.

In 2025/26, this means that when your income exceeds £200,000, and your adjusted income (which includes your pension contributions) is above £260,000, the Annual Allowance falls by £1 for every £2 earned above that level. Just remember that the minimum it can fall to is £10,000.

What’s more, if you’ve already started accessing your pension wealth, you may have triggered the Money Purchase Annual Allowance.

This typically reduces the amount you can tax-efficiently contribute to your pension to £10,000 each year.

Compounding returns over time can make pension tax relief even more attractive

One of the most practical aspects of tax relief is that it’s added straight to your pension, where it is usually invested on your behalf by your provider.

Any growth is reinvested, allowing your savings to benefit from “compounding”. This is the “growth on growth” effect that further boosts your returns over a longer period of time.

Standard Life (21 August 2025) gives an example of how beneficial this can be.

If you contributed £200 to your pension each month from age 25 to 65, and your investments grew at an average rate of 5% each year, your pot could be worth around:

  • £29,400 after 10 years
  • £73,000 after 20 years
  • £232,000 after 40 years.

While you might imagine that your pot would grow from £73,000 after 20 years to £146,000 after 40 years, it would actually increase in value significantly more. This is thanks to compounding returns and long-term growth.

As such, making regular payments, starting early, and making full use of tax relief can all improve your financial security later in life.

Contact us

We can help ensure you’re claiming all the pension tax relief you’re entitled to, helping you secure peace of mind for your retirement. Please get in touch to arrange a meeting.

Please note: This blog is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice, which should be based on your individual circumstances. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

Please do not act based on anything you might read in this article. All contents are based on our understanding of HMRC legislation, which is subject to change.

A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until 55 (57 from April 2028). The fund value may fluctuate and can go down, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. 

The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates, and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.

Workplace pensions are regulated by The Pensions Regulator.

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate tax planning.

Written by SteveB · Categorized: News

Feb 03 2026

3 insights from the FTSE 100’s performance that could help you curb impulsive decisions

Despite ups and downs throughout the year, 2025 proved to be a great year for the FTSE 100 – an index of the 100 largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange.

According to the Guardian (31 December 2025), the FTSE 100 increased in value by a fifth in 2025, marking the strongest annual gain since 2009. When markets closed on New Year’s Eve 2025, the index was up 21.5% compared to where it was at the start of 2025.

The index got off to a positive start in 2026 as well. The BBC reported (2 January 2026) that the FTSE 100 climbed above 10,000 for the first time when markets reopened in the new year.

So, what investment lessons can you learn from the performance of the FTSE 100?

1. Look beyond the headlines

    If you only looked at the headlines of 2025 and tried to predict how markets had performed, you might expect a very different outcome.

    The headlines were often sensational and may have led investors to fear that the value of their investments would fall significantly. For instance, when the US introduced trade tariffs and threatened to impose others, this created attention-grabbing headlines that often suggested a negative impact.

    Understandably, these headlines may have triggered an emotional response in some investors. However, those who acted on this fear by selling assets may have missed out on potential gains.

    While it’s impossible to avoid the news completely, looking beyond the headlines and taking a long-term view may be useful. It could help you focus on your long-term strategy rather than current events that might cause short-term market volatility.

    2. Markets typically recover from downturns

    It’s important to note that all investments carry some risk, and performance cannot be guaranteed. However, historically, markets have recovered from downturns over the long term.

    When you look at the dips the FTSE 100 experienced in 2025, it’s clear that it recovered in the months that followed.

    For example, the Guardian reported that the FTSE 100 was down on 7 April 2025 after the US announced it would not consider pausing trade tariffs. While this may have been a cause of concern for some investors, the FTSE 100 made gains in the following weeks as the outlook changed.

    If you’re tempted to react to market volatility, remembering that markets have historically recovered from downturns could help you hold your nerve and stick to your long-term investment strategy.

    3. Diversification could help manage investment volatility

    The performance of the FTSE 100 highlights the value of diversifying your portfolio.

    Rather than investing in a few companies, choosing to invest in a wide range of assets, regions, and sectors can help spread investment risk. While one area of your portfolio might fall, other areas may help offset these losses.

    Diversification doesn’t remove investment risk, but it could help you manage investment volatility.

    The FTSE 100 includes companies working across a broad range of sectors, from mining to advertising. Some of these sectors have experienced significant gains in 2025, which helped balance out losses in others.

    While the FTSE 100 is made up of the largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange, many of them are multinationals.

    According to data from LSEG (5 March 2024), more than four-fifths of the sales of the FTSE 100 come from outside the UK. So, even when investing in an index tied to the London Stock Exchange, investments may be more global than you expect.

    Investing in companies around the world can help balance your portfolio. For example, if external factors led to the retail sector dipping in the UK, this might be offset by rising sales in other countries.

    One way to diversify your portfolio is to invest in a fund. An investment fund pools your money with that of other investors to invest in a wide range of opportunities. So, you can diversify your portfolio without having to make lots of individual investment decisions.

    Your financial planner can help you assess which investments, including funds, might be right for you.

    Get in touch

    If you’d like to review the performance of your investments or have questions about your investment strategy, please get in touch. We’re here to help you understand how your investments could support your long-term goals.

    Please note: This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at individuals only.

    All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

    The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

    Investments should be considered over the longer term and should fit in with your overall attitude to risk and financial circumstances.

    Written by SteveB · Categorized: News

    Jan 05 2026

    5 little indulgences that could make your retirement lifestyle more luxurious

    Retirement is the perfect time to add some little indulgences into your life, your reward for navigating the challenges of a lifelong career.

    They don’t need to be particularly expensive or over the top. But things that will enhance your life, boost your wellbeing, and add a sense of fulfilment to your retirement can all make a big difference.

    While luxuries will be very individual to you, here are five small steps you could take to elevate your retirement lifestyle.

    1. Support your sleep with high-quality bedding

      Getting a good night’s rest is vital for your overall health, as it allows your brain and body to carry out restorative processes that help you function at your best the next day.

      Some people find that their sleep becomes less deep as they get older, or they wake more often during the night.

      According to Age UK, sleep is vital for cognitive function, and sleeping an average of seven to eight hours a night is related to better brain health, as well as better physical health in older people.

      All good reasons to make sure your bed and bedding are as comfortable as possible.

      Investing in a quality mattress can make all the difference. The right mattress is one that supports your spine, promotes comfort, and keeps you at a comfortable temperature, meaning what’s “right” varies across individuals.

      According to Healthline, research suggests that a medium-firm mattress can promote comfort, correct spinal alignment, and quality sleep.

      If you struggle with aches and pains, a memory foam mattress could help. But if you find the “sinking” feeling associated with these uncomfortable, then try a latex foam version, as this puts less pressure on your body.

      Choosing some high-quality bedding can also make a big difference and improve the quality of your sleep.

      • Egyptian cotton is a big favourite and for good reason. Its long fibres and strong durability make it a long-term investment, while its breathability and luxurious feel make it a good all-rounder.
      • Bamboo is naturally moisture-wicking and has antibacterial and hypoallergenic qualities, so it is ideal if you struggle with sensitive skin. Plus, it helps to regulate your body’s temperature, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer.
      • Good-quality linen is also an excellent choice for temperature regulation and has a clean, cool feel.

      2. Take out a gym membership to keep active and boost your wellness

      A little daily exercise can help reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke and help keep you active and mobile.

      The NHS suggests adults over 65 should have 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week, 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity, or a combination of both. It also recommends activities that improve strength, balance, and flexibility at least two days a week.

      Taking out a gym membership can help you get in your exercise quota, as most offer a full range of equipment and classes.

      You can ask the staff to tailor a workout for your fitness levels; many also offer off-peak memberships, meaning you can go during quieter times.

      Choose a gym with a pool, and you can enjoy an invigorating swim, too. Plus, many facilities now have an inclusive spa for an extra boost of wellness, as you can relax in the saunas and steam rooms.

      3. Join a club or take up a new hobby to meet new people

      Expanding your social horizons can also help you stay busy and active during retirement. Plus, according to Age UK, research suggests that participating in meaningful activities and having close ties to friends and family could also slow cognitive decline.

      This could be in the shape of something you already enjoy, such as painting or cookery. Retirement is also a great opportunity to try something new, perhaps something you’ve always wished you could master, like learning to dance or taking golf lessons.

      Alternatively, you could opt for studying, maybe learning a new language or trying a subject that’s always taken your fancy.

      These are all good ways to add meaning and fulfilment to your days, keeping you motivated and interested, and expanding your social circle in the process.

      4. Treat yourself to experiences that you love

      An experience you enjoy creates a valuable, lasting memory. Now could be the right time to treat yourself to a season ticket for your football team or follow your favourite band if they’re on a live tour.

      Retirement also means you can enjoy a matinee at the theatre, which can often be both cheaper and less busy, or indulge yourself with regular cinema trips.

      While it’s nice to do things you know you’ll enjoy, there are also significant benefits associated with trying something new. According to Psychology Today, it can help build flexible thinking, improve your mental wellbeing, and trigger your brain to release dopamine, which improves your mood.

      5. Use technology to add extra comfort to your home

      Think about what you could introduce into your home to make life a little more comfortable and convenient. For example, an Amazon Echo device, which pairs with the virtual assistant Alexa, can perform all kinds of activities, from switching on your lights to answering questions and playing music.

      You could also invest in an e-reader to enjoy a range of books, often discounted or on special offer. If you don’t already own one, a tablet can also be a great technological addition to your home. Watch your favourite media, read the news, check social media, and search the web, much like you may do on your phone, but in a more user-friendly way.

      Written by SteveB · Categorized: News

      Jan 05 2026

      Investment market update: December 2025

      After a year filled with uncertainty and rising trade tensions, markets were calmer in December 2025. Find out what may have affected the performance of your portfolio at the end of the year.

      Market volatility eased in December 2025

      Markets were downbeat at the start of the month. Most European markets were in the red on 1 December, including Germany’s DAX (-1.2%), France’s CAC 40 (-0.55%), and the UK’s FTSE 100 (-0.13%).

      The Bank of England (BoE) carried out stress tests on 2 December, which all major banks involved passed. This led to bank stocks rising, including Lloyds (1%), Barclays (0.95%), and HSBC (0.7%).

      American technology firm Oracle Corporation missed its revenue forecast and hiked expenditure plans by $15 billion (£11.3 billion). This led to the company’s shares dropping by 15.7% when trading started on 11 December – knocking almost £100 billion off the company’s market capitalisation.

      The news dragged down other AI stocks as well, including Nvidia, which became the biggest faller on the Dow Jones Industrial Average index after it tumbled 2.7%.

      Despite the concerns about AI, the Dow Jones Industrial Average hit a record high after rising 0.95% on 11 December following news that US interest rates had fallen.

      On 17 December, the FTSE 100 was up 1.6% following a bigger-than-expected drop in inflation, leading gains in European markets.

      With Christmas nearing, festive optimism swept through London. On 19 December, the FTSE 100 closed at an almost record high, with leading firms including Rolls-Royce (2.7%) and precious metal producers Endeavour Mining (3.1%) and Fresnillo (2.8%). However, housebuilders and retailers suffered falls.

      UK

      UK inflation slowed to 3.2% in the 12 months to November 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics. The news led the BoE’s Monetary Policy Committee to vote to cut the base interest rate from 4% to 3.75%, with further cuts anticipated in 2026.

      The headline GDP figure was weak in the UK. The economy unexpectedly shrank by 0.1% in October, according to official data.

      In addition, UK unemployment hit a four-year high of 5.1% in the three months to October. This could signal a weakening economy.

      However, forecasts suggest the economy could pick up in 2026. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) expects the UK to be the third fastest-growing economy among G7 members in 2026, falling behind only the US and Canada.

      This view is supported by a return to growth in the manufacturing sector.

      According to S&P Global’s Purchasing Managers’ Index, manufacturing grew for the first time in a year. The reading came ahead of the Budget, when uncertainty was likely to have been playing on the minds of businesses, so the improvement is particularly encouraging.

      Sadly, it’s a different picture for retail.

      The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) reported that retail volumes fell at an accelerated pace in December despite the festive season, and firms don’t expect any relief in the opening months of 2026.

      Europe

      The European Central Bank (ECB) opted to hold its interest rates in December as it noted that it’s on track for inflation to settle around its 2% target.

      The ECB also raised its growth forecast for the economic bloc, driven by rising domestic demand. The bank now expects GDP to rise by 1.4% in 2025 and 1.2% in 2026.

      An industrial recovery is likely to play a crucial role in the higher GDP forecasts. According to Eurostat data, industrial output increased by 0.8% in October as businesses benefited from trade uncertainty fading and falling energy costs.

      However, not every part of the region is as optimistic.

      The German Ifo Institute’s business climate index fell in December, despite analysts predicting a rise. The gloomy outlook is linked to two years of economic contraction in manufacturing, confidence in the service sector falling, and unhappy retailers facing lower-than-expected sales in the lead-up to Christmas.

      US

      US inflation unexpectedly fell to 2.7% in the 12 months to November 2025. Experts had predicted inflation would be 3.1%.

      While falling inflation is good news for struggling families, rising unemployment could suggest further difficulties ahead. The unemployment rate hit 4.6%, amid apprehension about the strength of the US economy.

      However, job growth was higher than anticipated in November. A total of 64,000 jobs were added, against the predicted 40,000.

      The economic news led to the Federal Reserve cutting the base interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point. The base rate is now at its lowest point since 2022.

      President Donald Trump permitted technology giant Nvidia to ship H200 chips to China in exchange for a 25% surcharge for the US. The move could allow Nvidia to win back billions of dollars in lost revenue, which led to its shares rising by 2.3% on 9 December.

      While good news for Nvidia, the move has been criticised for being an “economic and national security failure” by some Democratic senators.

      Asia

      The International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised its growth forecast for China. The organisation now expects the country’s economy to grow by 5% in 2025 and 4.5% in 2026, thanks to lower-than-expected tariffs on Chinese exports.

      However, the IMF also urged China to fix “significant” imbalances in its economy, primarily by shifting from export-led growth to domestic consumption.

      The positive news from the IMF was supported by official trade data.

      China’s trade surplus hit $1 trillion (£0.74 trillion) for the first time in November 2025, as the economy appeared to shrug off concerns about the impact of trade with the US. Exports grew by 5.9% year-on-year in November following a 1.1% contraction in October.

      Please note: This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at individuals only.

      All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

      The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up, and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

      Investments should be considered over the longer term and should fit in with your overall attitude to risk and financial circumstances.

      Written by SteveB · Categorized: News

      Jan 05 2026

      Why business owners may want to consider a pension alongside their exit strategy

      When you’re building a business, you might have little time to think about other aspects of your long-term finances. However, overlooking your pension in favour of your business could leave you in a difficult situation when you want to retire.

      According to a survey carried out by think tank the Social Market Foundation (12 August 2025), just 20% of self-employed workers save into a pension, compared to 78% of employees. While not all self-employed workers will be business owners, the data points to a wider trend of underestimating the importance of retirement savings.

      Why relying solely on your business as a retirement plan could be risky

      Your business might be one of the largest assets you hold, and your focus may be on increasing its value. As a result, planning to sell your business to release funds to support you throughout retirement can seem like a straightforward option.

      However, some risks could harm your retirement plans if you haven’t taken other steps to create a retirement income, such as contributing to a pension.

      Whether you plan to sell your business to a family member or a third party, you’ll need the sale to go through to access the money you’ve earmarked for retirement. This presents a degree of uncertainty – what if the sale takes longer than you expect, or it’s difficult to find a buyer?

      You could find yourself in a position where you’re ready to give up work, but are unable to until you find a buyer.

      In some circumstances, delaying your retirement might be manageable. However, in some situations, delaying retirement could be harmful. For example, you might need to retire earlier than expected due to ill health, and a delay could place unnecessary pressure on you.

      In addition to the challenge of finding a buyer, it’s worth considering how the value of your business could change. Factors outside of your control could mean your business doesn’t sell for the price you hoped, which could have a knock-on effect on your retirement income.

      These challenges don’t mean your business exit strategy shouldn’t form part of your overall retirement plan. However, if your retirement plan only includes your business, it might be beneficial to carry out a financial review that considers pensions and other options alongside it.

      3 practical reasons pensions can be valuable for business owners

      1. Pensions are a tax-efficient way to invest

      A pension provides a tax-efficient way to invest for your retirement for two key reasons.

      First, you’ll benefit from tax relief when you contribute to your pension. Assuming your contributions don’t exceed the Annual Allowance, which, in 2025/26 for most people, is £60,000 or 100% of your annual earnings, whichever is lower, you’ll receive tax relief at your marginal rate of Income Tax, providing an instant boost to your pot.

      Second, the money held in your pension can be invested in a range of assets with the aim of generating long-term returns. Returns on pension investments aren’t liable for Capital Gains Tax, so all the returns can be reinvested to benefit from the compounding effect. 

      2. Contributing to your pension could be tax-efficient for your business

      Pension contributions may also be tax-efficient for your business.

      Pension contributions are an allowable business expense. As a result, you can deduct your pension contributions from your business’s profits before Corporation Tax is calculated, which may directly lower your firm’s tax bill.

      In addition, employer pension contributions are not subject to National Insurance contributions for either the employer or employee.

      3. You may use your pension to purchase business property

      If you have a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) or a Small Self-Administered Scheme (SSAS), you can use your pension to buy commercial property.

      In effect, this could mean your pension owns your business premises and receives rent from your business. So, rather than paying a third-party landlord, your business’s rental costs will boost your pension.

      The rules and tax relief around commercial property and pensions can be complex. Seeking tailored financial advice can help you assess if this is an option that might be right for you.

      We can help business owners plan their retirement

      As a business owner, your retirement finances might be more complex. We can help you create a retirement plan and exit strategy that complement one another. Please get in touch to talk to one of our team about your needs.

      Please note: This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at individuals only.

      All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

      Please do not act based on anything you might read in this article. All contents are based on our understanding of HMRC legislation, which is subject to change.

      A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until 55 (57 from April 2028). The fund value may fluctuate and can go down, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

      The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates, and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.

      Written by SteveB · Categorized: News

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      Ashworth Financial Planning Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can find Ashworth Financial Planning Ltd on the FCA register by clicking here. Registered in England & Wales. Company number: 08401597. Registered Office: Unit 1-1A, Park Lane Business Centre Park Lane, Langham, Colchester, Essex, England, CO4 5WR.

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