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MOST RECENT ARTICLES FROM TANYA JEFFERIES
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State pension scandal on course to cost the Government £1bn
24/04/25 12:40
'We have become so used to stories about state pension errors that it is easy to become dulled to the scale of what went wrong,' says former minister Steve Webb. 'The remaining corrections need to be handled as a matter of urgency. This should never be allowed to happen again.' In the past few weeks, bereaved families who waited years to find out if relatives lost out on state pension have been informed the Government has abandoned further investigation of their cases....read
Pensions worth up to £1k could be merged automatically: New plan to deal with 13m tiny pots
23/04/25 11:01The Government says in time the move could boost the retirement savings of the average worker by around £1,000 due to reduced costs.
What's YOUR risk appetite? Are you an adventurous, balanced or cautious investor - take our quiz
21/04/25 08:22When it comes to investing, being willing to take more risk doesn't (necessarily) make you a daredevil, or averse to risk make you a coward.
Bereaved families CAN still pursue cases of underpaid state pension, an MP discovers
11/04/25 09:34The DWP told Liberal Democrat Work and Pensions spokesman Steve Darling it could still review state pension awards despite deletion of old records.
Gold price buffeted amid Trump trade war: Why is it volatile and how do you buy it?
08/04/25 12:00The value of the precious metal hit an all-time high of $3,167.71 on 3 April. But it then plunged in moves blamed on profit-taking, plus a sell-off to meet losses elsewhere.
How to defend your investments as the Trump trade war rages
04/04/25 10:52Many investors are heavily exposed to the US, which has generated huge returns in recent years, as it dominates global markets and therefore portfolios.
DWP and HMRC need to get a grip on farcical state pension top-ups system, says TANYA JEFFERIES
04/04/25 06:00A steady stream of readers contact us because they have handed over hundreds or thousands of pounds, and months or even years later fear it has got lost.
How paying into a Sipp or work pension by 5 April can cut your tax bill
02/04/25 01:14Topping up your pension ahead of the tax year end deadline can be a winning strategy all round if you can afford it, explain money experts.
Should you boost your state pension before it's too late? Our last-minute checklist before 5 April deadline
02/04/25 06:00There is still time to take advantage of the current special deal to buy years going all the way back to 2006, not only the last six years. Here's what to do...
Do you fear a 'Trump Slump'? We reveal how to diversify an Isa away from the US
31/03/25 06:37Investing experts have told us for some time that the US winning streak has made many investors heavily exposed to its markets.
Shock DWP letters tell bereaved relatives underpaid state pension investigation is OVER
28/03/25 09:10Many elderly women died while unwittingly being underpaid untold sums in a state pension scandal uncovered by Steve Webb and This is Money.
I've been trapped in a state pension top-ups nightmare for THREE YEARS
27/03/25 06:00The business consultant contacted us recently about £800 he paid in April 2022. Many Britons are trying to make top-ups payments right now to beat a 5 April deadline
Inheritance tax grab will rake in £14.3bn a year by 2030, the OBR forecasts
26/03/25 03:06A raid on inherited pensions from 2027, on top of frozen thresholds and higher property values, is going to force better off families to hand over more of their wealth.
How to create an Isa portfolio from scratch: Six steps to start a successful investment fund
25/03/25 07:00If you are saving in cash for something you aren't going to buy or start spending on in the next five years, you should consider investing. Here's how to start...
What to do if you discover a family member is exploiting power of attorney for gain
24/03/25 10:21Suspecting or discovering financial abuse of an elderly person is always a serious matter, but it can be especially painful if the perpetrator is a family member.
Buying state pension top-ups: Everything you need to know - This is Money's latest coverage
23/03/25 07:00A crucial deadline to fill gaps in state pension records and boost your payments is looming on 5 April. Here's how you can still take advantage...
Pensioner told 'be patient and wait' over £15k state pension top-ups payment
21/03/25 01:00Christopher Dehn, pictured, who handed over huge sum to Government months ago says he feels let down by the 'chaotic' system.
How power of attorney can be abused accidentally with 'gifts' and 'expenses'
21/03/25 07:00Taking on power of attorney for someone else is a very responsible role, and sadly things can go wrong if those chosen turn out to be untrustworthy.
Trick to extend top-ups deadline: Get an extra month on state pension special deal
18/03/25 02:21The Government's official deadline for a special offer to buy missing years going as far back as 2006 is 5 April..
Plan to let parents fix holes in state pension records if they didn't claim child benefit given green light
15/03/25 07:00The Government has confirmed it is going ahead with plans to let parents fill gaps in their state pension records if they didn't claim child benefit.
Gold soars to $3,000 as Trump ramps up trade war - and one expert predicts price will hit $4,500
14/03/25 12:07The gold price has topped $3,000 for the first time as US president Donald Trump's tariff threats send investors fleeing to safe havens.
How to spring clean your investing Isa: Five steps to overhaul your portfolio
14/03/25 07:00The annual reset of Isa allowances on 6 April makes this an opportune time to review and refresh your investments.
What is a Bed & Isa? The smart move to protect your investments from tax
12/03/25 07:00Bed & Isa activity has coolled off since the big capital gains tax changes last year, but it is still a effective way to shield investments from tax, say experts.
State pension top-ups backlog fear: Deadline is relaxed as our readers battle long delays
06/03/25 10:45Our readers blast long waits and lost payments. Jan Wright, pictured, was told by the DWP it would take six months to increase her state pension.
Should I buy extra NI years to increase my state pension before the 5 April deadline?
04/03/25 01:07As long as you get a payment or callback request in by 5 April. you can buy missing years going back to 2006/07. After that you can only go back six years.
The increased state pension is here: How much will YOURS rise by?
04/03/25 09:59The headline rate will be hiked by 4.1% under the triple lock - but not all elements of the state pension are increased to the same level.
Isa bestsellers of 2025: Investors shop for US, tech and global funds
04/03/25 06:00The Isa season is ramping up and investors are off on a US shopping spree ahead of the April 5 deadline.
Huge jump in pension credit claims as older people try to hang on to Winter Fuel Payments
27/02/25 01:02Since last summer the Government has received 235,000 pension credit claims, up from around 130,000 in the same period the year before.
From shark masks to statement lamps: John Lewis reveals spring and summer's predicted best sellers
22/02/25 07:00Pistachio is the 'Colour of the Season', the John Lewis sages have decreed, and many of its new homewares come in the pale mossy shade,
Will YOU change your pension plans ahead of the inheritance tax grab?
20/02/25 07:00Pensions are going to become liable for inheritance tax like other assets such as property, savings and investments starting in April 2027.
I'm 51 and have £150 a month to invest until I retire at 60 - should I put it in a pension or Isa?
19/02/25 09:34I'm already contributing to a workplace pension, and I have a pot currently valued around £180,000. So what is my best option? Ray Black of Money Minder replies.
Three in four pensioners are cold in their own homes this winter
18/02/25 12:01Age UK is campaigning against the Government's decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment, and delivered a petition to Number 10 Downing Street today.
What does it cost to hire a private judge to split finances in a divorce?
16/02/25 07:00Divorcing couples who can afford it are increasingly turning to private judges to reach financial settlements, say legal experts.
Government scraps update to state pension forecasts after outcry by This is Money readers
14/02/25 12:18A Government spokesperson said: 'Due to customer feedback these changes have now been withdrawn...People will be able to view their state pension forecast as they were before.'
Do you have a family member or friend vulnerable to financial abuse? Here's what to do...
13/02/25 06:00The 'hidden epidemic' of financial abuse often doesn't come to light until after a vulnerable person has died, according to the Step body of inheritance advisers.
Annuity sales reach a decade high as better rates prompt more to lock in a guaranteed income for life
12/02/25 12:06Total sales were worth £7billion last year, a 34 per cent increase on 2023, according to the latest data from the Association of British Insurers.
Inheriting an investment portfolio: Do you keep it, sell it... or give it away to avoid IHT?
11/02/25 07:59Here are the 10 steps to take when assuming control of investments left to you by a loved one.
An uncle is leaving 70% of his £500k estate to charity - so who pays the inheritance tax bill?
09/02/25 07:00My wife is an executor to the will so might she be liable for any tax the charities have to pay? Estate planning expert Ian Dyall replies.
What does Trump's trade war mean for YOUR investments? Impact on stocks, gold and interest rates
03/02/25 04:47We asked finance experts to explain what Trump's trade war could mean for markets and economies, and which investments might thrive under US protectionism.
Savers say state pension top-ups are stuck in system for months - as deadline on special deal looms
01/02/25 07:00The size of the backlog is unknown, but applications are processed in date order, and as long as you get your payment in by 5 April you will benefit from a special deal.
Time to buy a bond fund? Check out 17 ideas from investing experts
31/01/25 12:44Bond markets have calmed in recent weeks but investors have good reason to remain nervous after the New Year rout. What has happened and where can you invest?
Final salary pension fund surpluses worth £160bn to be unlocked to boost economic growth
28/01/25 12:35Employers and trustees of well-funded schemes will be allowed to strike new deals to permit 'surplus extraction' and unlock billions of pounds of investment.
Are YOU confident your pensions will last? Half of over-55s worry they'll run out of cash
28/01/25 06:00Oxford Risk asked people if they were comfortable with the risk associated with having their pension invested after retirement, and got a mixed reaction.
Death benefits will be hit with inheritance tax: How will the cash grab affect bereaved families?
27/01/25 07:00The Government's plan to levy inheritance tax on death benefits has received far less attention than pensions, but could be even more significant to grieving relatives.
HMRC will end 'over-taxation trap' for savers making pension withdrawals
22/01/25 02:28Former Pensions Minister Steve Webb says 'at long last' HMRC has listened to ordinary taxpayers, and will change a system he has in the past dubbed 'an absolute disgrace'.
Time to buy an annuity? Gilts turmoil pushes up rates to almost 7.5%
21/01/25 06:00Annuities are a large and long-term purchase and you can't change your mind afterwards, so they are not something to buy on on a whim after a market upset.
Inheritance tax on pensions could make probate delays WORSE, experts warn
18/01/25 07:00Plans to make pensions liable for inheritance tax from spring 2027 is likely to lengthen delays to getting probate, say finance experts.
FTSE 100 tops 8,500 to hit new record on hopes of rate cuts to boost flat economy
17/01/25 05:20The new all-time closing high came on the back of a weaker pound, which was trading at $1.22 against the dollar, and expectations of further interest rate cuts.
Our daughter won't be able to afford to live in our house after we die - what can we do?
17/01/25 07:00My daughter, her partner, child and baby due this spring live with us as they cannot afford to rent or buy somewhere. Lawyer Rachel Waller tackles the issue.
Torsten Bell is the new Pensions Minister: Who is he and what could he do for our retirement dreams?
15/01/25 12:24Torsten Bell became a new Labour MP at the last election after nine years as chief executive of the Resolution Foundation, an economic and social policy think-tank
Basic funerals now cost record £4,285 - but there is a cheaper option...
15/01/25 12:02Usual costs cover a cremation or burial, funeral director fees, a mid-range coffin, one funeral limousine, a doctor, and a minister or celebrant.
Leaving money to charity in your will: How to create a legacy and cut IHT bill
11/01/25 09:46There are lots of great reasons to leave money to charity in your will, most obviously because it is a wonderful thing to help others. Here's how to make most impact...
How to be fair in divorce when it comes to money and keep costs down
10/01/25 07:00Couples can divorce within six months of applying, but financial settlements are dealt with in a separate process that can take much longer. Here's what you need to know...
About to retire? Here's a must do list before you stop work for good
09/01/25 06:00There are some final tasks and also some big lifestyle changes to consider in the final months before you leave your job. Here's what you need to know.
State pension top-ups STILL missing after big rush in 2023 - as next deadline looms
06/01/25 06:00Lynne Cole paid more than £800 in early 2023, in the last big rush to take advantage of a deal to buy top-ups - but after nearly two years had received no boost to her pension.
Gold price soars with 27% gain in a year... but will it continue its stellar run in 2025?
03/01/25 06:00Gold hit a record at $2,790 this year. Financial experts say a stock sell-off, inflation or geopolitical shocks could trigger another move higher.
Pensions in 2025: What savers need to know on shock IHT move, and a crunch state pension deadline
02/01/25 07:00The new Government has already made its mark by announcing significant changes to pensions since the election. We look at what might be to come....
Where to invest in 2025: Will Trump start a trade war and what next for the Magnificent Seven?
30/12/24 07:00Trump's agenda of trade tariffs and tax cuts is set to dominate markets The returning US president is expected to be an even more disruptive force in his second term.
The top tax questions of 2024 answered by our expert HEATHER ROGERS
27/12/24 07:00Heather Rogers, founder and owner of Aston Accountancy, is This is Money's resident tax expert. Read some of her top columns from 2024.
Will the UK stock market be the one to back in 2025? Shares are still going cheap, say experts - we get their picks
26/12/24 09:05The UK remains cheap but shows signs of becoming liked - if still not loved - by investors as we head into 2025.
Six of the most important pension questions of 2024 answered by STEVE WEBB
26/12/24 08:43Our popular agony uncle Steve Webb has now celebrated the publication of his 400th pension column. Read some of his best columns of 2024...
Beware the family row at Christmas that can change inheritance decisions
23/12/24 12:58'The most common reason people exclude relatives from their will is due to personal feelings and animosity,' says Debra Burton of Lime Solicitors.
Final deadline to claim pension credit and still get Winter Fuel Payment is 21 December
18/12/24 06:00You can still receive this year's Winter Fuel Payment, which is worth from £100 to £300, if you claim by the cut-off date and your application is approved.
Waspi women will receive NO compensation, says Labour, as Steve Webb warns of 'worrying precedent'
17/12/24 02:34The Department of Work and Pensions has rejected the Ombudsman's recommendation of payments of of £1,000 to £2,950 to affected women.
We're cashing in our pensions to avoid inheritance tax: What's the best way to gift the money to our daughters?
10/12/24 06:00Could we give the pension withdrawals to our daughters as gifts from excess income and keep them outside inheritance tax? William Stevens of Killik & Co replies.
My 86-year-old mum gave me £90k: Is this 'deprivation of assets' if she needs care?
02/12/24 07:00Will the money invested in our rental property have to be handed back to pay for any ongoing care for my mother? Lawyer Ben Tyer, pictured, replies.
How to make a watertight will: 10 tips to getting your last wishes fulfilled - and errors to avoid
29/11/24 06:00The most important tip about wills is to make one in the first place. Beyond that, do your best to ensure your wishes will be followed after you die.
Pension credit applications surge 145% after Labour means-tested the Winter Fuel Payment - here's how to apply
28/11/24 12:56Around 150,000 pension credit claims have been submitted in just 16 weeks since Rachel Reeves announced Winter Fuel Payments will be means-tested.Most pensioners need their Winter Fuel Payments to cover energy bills, warns charity
27/11/24 12:01The payments, worth from £100 to £300 a year, are now means-tested, sparking a campaign urging older people who qualify for pension credit to apply soon.
When will you retire? How to check when you could afford to stop work
26/11/24 06:00When can you afford to retire and how much do you need to get the lifestyle you want? Check our pension calculator here...
REVEALED: The state pension errors that left frustrated over-70s chasing the DWP for months
24/11/24 07:00Pamela Cottingham, left, Pamela Ecclestone, centre, and Lorraine Rae, right, were kept in suspense for months over what they were owed - if anything.
Spread the message there is no shame in claiming pension credit, says new campaign
23/11/24 07:00More than half of people aged over 66 don't like to ask for support or help from friends or relatives even if they need it, finds a survey by Royal London.
Applying for power of attorney? Avoid these 12 mistakes which could see you rejected
21/11/24 06:00The number of people setting up a legal failsafe in case they fall ill is soaring, but nearly 51,000 applications were rejected last year.
Claim pension credit to keep Winter Fuel Payment: Actor Brian Cox joins celebrity campaign
16/11/24 12:01Fellow actors Jane Asher and Sue Holderness are joining Brian Cox to promote take-up of the benefit that supports the poorest pensioners.
Chancellor to create pension 'megafunds' to drive economic growth - here's how it would work
14/11/24 10:40A government plan to use people's pension savings to boost economic growth has broad public support, new research reveals. Do YOU think it's a good idea - take our poll.
Cost of a funeral has jumped 6% to £4,706 on average over the past year
14/11/24 06:01The average cost of a cremation including a service has risen 6.1 per cent to £4,431 this year, the L&G study found.
Do you have an old EPA, not an LPA? If you fall ill it can cause delays and expense for your family, lawyers warn
12/11/24 06:00If you have an EPA, your relatives can be forced to foot care bills while they wait months to get access to your finances, says Osbornes Law.
I inherited a tax-free pension from my husband who died before 75 - what happens after Budget changes?
12/11/24 06:00My husband died before the age of 75 and I inherited his Sipp. Will I still be allowed to draw on it tax free from April 2027? Financial planner Michelle Holgate replies.
What does President Trump mean for UK investors? How to profit from the Trump Trade
06/11/24 10:52The victory of Donald Trump in the US election is expected to boost defence and oil and gas stocks, plus cryptocurrencies.
I'm 64 - should I move £20k a year from my pension into an Isa after inheritance tax raid in the Budget?
06/11/24 06:00Since as of April 2027 my pension will be in my estate for inheritance tax, is there any advantage for keeping money there? Ray Black of Money Minder replies,
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