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Navy pension pot filled with gold coins beside inheritance tax documents and estate planning books, with Big Ben in the background, illustrating the proposed pension IHT changes from April 2027
Financial Literacy, Investing, Pension, Wealth Building

Pension Inheritance Tax 2027: What Changes, Who Is Affected, and What to Do Now

Under proposals announced in the Autumn Budget 2024, your unspent pension pot is expected to be counted as part of your estate for inheritance tax from 6 April 2027. This guide explains what the proposals mean, who is likely to be affected, and the planning strategies you can consider in the window before the changes take effect.

Hero image for crystallised pension article showing a man researching pension crystallisation on a tablet, with a side by side comparison of uncrystallised funds showing pension still growing and tax-free cash available versus crystallised funds showing pension accessed and withdrawals taxable
Financial Coaching, Financial Literacy, Pension, Tax Planning, Wealth Building

What Happens When You Crystallise Your Pension and Is Now the Right Time?

Learn the difference between crystallised and uncrystallised pension funds, what happens at a crystallisation event, and why taking your pension in stages can significantly reduce your income tax bill in retirement.

Hero image for pension tax-free cash article showing a pension pot splitting into 25% tax-free cash in gold and 75% taxable income in grey, with the title Pension Tax-Free Cash Explained and the 25% Rule and £268,275 Cap
Financial Coaching, Financial Literacy, Pension, Tax Planning, Wealth Building

Your Pension Tax-Free Cash (2025/26): The 25% Rule, the £268,275 Cap, and How to Take It in Stages

When you start taking your pension, up to 25% can be taken completely free of income tax. But the total is capped at £268,275 across all your pensions in your lifetime, and the way you take it affects both the tax you pay and whether you trigger the Money Purchase Annual Allowance. This guide explains the 25% rule, the three ways to take your tax-free cash, the partial crystallisation strategy, and the inheritance tax changes coming in April 2027.

Blog header image for pension carry forward 2025/26 guide showing a glass jar filled with coins and a plant growing from it, with the title Pension Carry Forward: Unlock Up to £220,000 of Unused Allowance
Financial Literacy, Pension, Wealth Building

Pension Carry Forward 2025-26: How to Unlock Up to £220,000 of Unused Allowance

The pension carry forward rules are one of the most powerful and underused tools in UK retirement planning. If you have not used your full pension annual allowance in the past three years, you may be able to contribute significantly more than £60,000 in a single tax year. This guide explains who qualifies, how the ordering rules work, and how carry forward interacts with the tapered annual allowance and the MPAA.

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