Blogs & News
No such thing as a ‘no risk’ pension
When looking at options for funding your retirement, it’s important to understand that your pension pot will be invested – and as with all investments, your capital is at risk.
Equity release in retirement; supplementing your pension with your property
When nearing retirement we face the challenge of ensuring our funds will last. Increasing numbers of UK homeowners have been looking for alternative methods to increase their income in retirement and are turning to their property to supplement their pensions.
How to track down a lost pension or investment
It’s now common for people to have multiple pensions. Finding details of lost pensions or investments can mean digging out paperwork from the attic, the basement or working out who to call.
Teacher pension contributions have gone up but how will independent schools cope?
Planned changes to employer pension scheme contributions could hit Independent schools using the Teacher’s Pension Scheme. Learn more about the options for independent schools.
Why are some people cashing in final salary pension schemes?
In recent years final salary pension schemes have been phased out by employers because people are living for longer and the uncrystallised liabilities are wreaking havoc with corporate balance sheets. Robert Blumberger explains why this is happening and sounds a cautionary note for those attracted to the idea of transferring.
What does the Woodford fund tell us about self-select funds?
It’s just a guess, but we imagine there are not that many fund managers who the general public have heard of. With the exception of Neil Woodford – and those who had not heard of him before have certainly heard of him now after weeks of media coverage on his fund’s struggles. There are many [...]
How online portals are driving up engagement in employee benefits
Recent research found that employee engagement and productivity is HR leader’s primary concerns. Could an online benefits portal be the answer?
Wren Sterling acquires T D Armstrong
Wren Sterling has announced the acquisition of T D Armstrong, a Dunfermline-based independent financial planning business.
Investing; the ups, downs, and time in the market
It can be tempting to look at cash when the markets are volatile, but in the context of long-term returns, historically that has not paid off. Looking back at the worst market conditions in recent memory, our advisers Stuart Johnstone and Graeme Wake explain…
How financial wellbeing is helping to tackle mental health issues at work
Where mental health was once taboo and under-reported, the dial has been switched completely with journalists keen to emphasise the scale of the issues facing people in the UK today. A quick Google search returns a swathe of studies linking financial concerns with stress and eventually under-performance at work. For example: For example: Although measures [...]
Wren Sterling adopts Pension Transfer Gold Standard
Wren Sterling has signed up to the Pension Transfer Gold Standard, a new mark of quality in the pension transfer market awarded by the Personal Finance Society (PFS). The Pension Transfer Gold Standard helps consumers recognise good practice, ethical and professional standards when seeking financial advice on pension transfers and firms must satisfy nine principles [...]
How much should I save for retirement?
Depending on the kind of retirement you’d like to have, there are some guidelines which can help you calculate what you’ll need to save today for a comfortable retirement.