Latest Blogs
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Tilley: Will IHT reforms really threaten pension saving?
The Government’s decision to bring most unused pension funds and lump sum death benefits within the scope of inheritance tax (IHT) from 6 April 2027 has provoked widespread criticism from across the pensions industry. Providers, advisers and trade bodies have warned that the change risks undermining confidence in pension saving and damaging long term retirement provision.
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Lisa Webster: Charity giving from pensions
I’m sure many of you reading this on SIPPs Professional will have had more than a few conversations with clients about estate planning – especially considering the news that pensions are to be included in the value of the estate for IHT purposes from April 2027.
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Lisa Webster: Salary sacrifice cap will hit some hard
The headline story from Budget 2025 - in the pension world at least - was the plan to cap National Insurance relief for pension contributions paid through salary sacrifice at £2,000 a year.
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Lisa Webster: Pension age uncertainty lingers on
We’ve known for many years that normal minimum pension age, NMPA it's known, is going up.
Popular News
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TPR warns of rise in attempts to 'steal' pensions
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has warned that fraudsters are increasingly trying to impersonate pension savers to steal their pensions.
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Lisa Webster: Pension age uncertainty lingers on
We’ve known for many years that normal minimum pension age, NMPA it's known, is going up.
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FCA green lights sale of troubled WH Ireland
The FCA has approved the takeover of troubled Financial Planner and wealth manager WH Ireland by Jersey-based wealth manager Team plc.
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53% of advised clients worrying about tax
More than half of advised clients (53%) say they are more worried about tax concerns than they were a year ago, according to a new survey of advised clients.
Private equity firm EQT Fund Management has made a second approach towards an acquisition deal with Australian fintech Iress.
Nearly one in three retirees are retiring in debt in 2021 according to new research.
Almost half (46%) of over 55s have no idea how much money they need in order to retire comfortably, according to new research.
UK dividends jumped 51.2% to £25.7bn in the second quarter, beating expectations, according to a new report.
Investment platform AJ Bell has reported a 15% rise in advised customers year on year, and 4% over the third quarter, in its latest trading update.
Total platform customers grew 32% year on year, and 6% in the quarter, as direct to consumer customers rose 42% (8% in the quarter). The platform now has 353,299 customers, of which just over a third (122,757) are advised.
Total platform net inflows increased by 40% over the prior year to £2.1bn, with just over half (£1.1.bn) being advised (a 57% growth year on year in advised net inflows).
Platform assets under administration closed the quarter at £63.1bn, a 32% rise year on year and a 9% rise in the quarter.
Assets under management at the platforms investment management business, AJ Bell Investments, increased 186% year on year and 43% over the quarter to £2bn. Total net inflows in the quarter were £524 million, including a one-off inflow of £253m.
Andy Bell, CEO at AJ Bell, said: “In the advised market, third quarter platform inflows were up 57% compared to the prior year. The introduction of simplified pension options is proving particularly popular with advisers as it provides them with different price points and flexible investment options to cater for a diverse range of client needs.
“We also continue to see strong demand for our in-house investment solutions. There is growing awareness amongst financial advisers of the value and performance that our managed portfolio service is delivering to their clients and our multi-asset funds continue to prove popular with advisers and retail customers alike.
“As we head into the final quarter of our financial year, we remain focused on providing an excellent service to our customers and continuing to support our people as we navigate the current wave of the pandemic. Looking further ahead, the structural growth drivers for our sector remain strong and we are well placed to deliver further growth across our platform.”
A third (31%) of UK homeowners over 40 who are not yet retired plan to work beyond their State Pension age, according to a new report.