In Memory of Jason Dutton
We are deeply saddened to announce that following a short illness, Jason lost his fight in the early hours of Monday 23rd January. His final hours were peaceful, surrounded by his family. Jase lit up the Masterplan office with his banter and hilarious anecdotes. Whether he was holding court on work nights out or using […]
Investment market update: December 2022
2022 ended with uncertainty and volatility that’s persisted for much of the year. Read on to find out what happened in December and how it affected investment markets. Looking ahead, uncertainty is likely to be something investors will need to negotiate in 2023 too. As economies continue to struggle with high levels of inflation, Goldman […]
3 key autumn statement changes you need to be aware of for the new tax year
Last year, chancellor Jeremy Hunt made some key announcements during the autumn statement that could affect how much tax you pay from April. Reviewing your financial plan could help you understand if you’ll be affected and make changes if necessary. In sharp contrast to the mini-Budget delivered by former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng in September, Hunt’s […]
Does “lifestyling” pensions still make sense for modern workers?
“Lifestyling” is a common way to protect your pension wealth as you near retirement. Yet, as retirement becomes far more flexible, is it something that’s still appropriate for modern workers? Read on to find out what it means and if it’s something you should consider. Lifestyling aims to protect the pension savings you’ve built up […]
3.3 million pre-retirees have started a phased retirement. Here’s what you need to know about managing your finances
Fewer workers are choosing to give up work on a set date. In fact, 34% of over-55s that haven’t given up work yet are gradually phasing into retirement, according to Legal & General figures. A phased retirement can take many forms. You may decide to reduce your working hours or change your role to one […]
Revealed: The key to happiness in retirement is focusing on experiences
Retirement is a milestone that’s often greeted with celebration. But what do you need to do to be happy during your later years? Research has revealed that it’s experiences, rather than material items, that are important. A survey from Royal London found that 72% of those aged over 55 favoured experiences over material possessions. From […]
Estate planning: What is it and why does it matter?
Have you thought about how you’ll use assets later in life or what you’d like to happen to them when you pass away? Planning for the future with an estate plan now could improve your long-term security and ensure your wishes are followed. While it can be difficult to think about long-term challenges and understand […]
Investment market update: November 2022
Globally, inflation and recession risks continued to affect markets in November. Head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva suggested that inflation could be nearing its peak. However, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) urged central banks around the world to keep raising interest rates to tackle moderate levels of inflation. So, […]
House prices are falling. What does it mean for homeowners?
Over the last few months, house prices have started to fall. After years of prices steadily rising, you may wonder what it could mean for you as a homeowner. Read on to find out what’s driving the property market and whether it could affect you. The average house price fell by 0.4% in October 2022 […]
Less than a third of families have an emergency fund that provides financial security
Two-thirds of families could find themselves in financial difficulty if they face a shock because they don’t have enough saved in an emergency fund, research suggests. Do you have enough saved to cover potential emergencies? An emergency fund is an important part of creating financial resilience. It means you could maintain financial commitments and your […]
