Financial protection: questions that can help you understand your cover needs

A man and woman looking at a desktop screen in a softly-lit home workspace.

Financial protection can provide vital support if life doesn’t go to plan. Whether it pays a regular income or a lump sum, the right level of cover can help ease financial pressure during difficult times.
Working out how much cover is appropriate doesn’t have to be complicated. Asking a few clear questions can be a helpful starting point.

Do you have enough to retire?

A person in a blue short-sleeved shirt washes hands under a kitchen tap, with wooden shelves, white bowls and potted plants in the background.

If now’s the time you’re thinking ahead and planning for when you leave the workforce, you might be asking yourself: ‘do I have enough to retire?’

Your mortgage rate update – June 2026

Person working on a laptop at a desk in a bright home office, with a calculator, mug, desk lamp and paperwork visible.

Mortgage rates rose earlier this year following tensions in the Middle East, but they’ve eased slightly since then – welcome news for borrowers.

Will your pension be hit by Inheritance Tax from 2027?

An elderly couple sitting closely on a sofa, with one person wrapping their arms around the other, in a living room setting with cushions and shelving in the background.

Your pension is primarily designed to provide retirement income. While it has also been used in the past as part of Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning, that may change from 6 April 2027.

Could equity release reduce your Inheritance Tax bill?

Two women sitting at a wooden kitchen table near a window, holding cups while plates of food and a teapot are placed on the table.

Equity release is increasingly being used as part of estate planning and Inheritance Tax planning – particularly by homeowners looking to manage the value of their estate efficiently.

Worried about Inheritance Tax? It’s time for a financial check

Five people gathered around a wooden dining table in a kitchen, with one person handing a bowl to another while others sit nearby with plates, glasses, and food on the table.

Worried about Inheritance Tax and how it could affect your family? With inheritance tax rules changing and pensions set to form part of your estate from 2027, more people are reassessing their financial plans.

How income protection helps when long-term illness stops you working

Close-up of two people’s hands, with one set of hands gently holding the other, resting on a lap.

Income protection insurance is one of the most effective ways to protect your income if you’re unable to work due to long‑term illness or injury. For many people in the UK, regular earnings are the backbone of day‑to‑day life – paying the mortgage, covering household bills and supporting family plans. An income protection policy helps replace part of your salary when you need it most, providing financial stability and peace of mind when health takes an unexpected turn.

Archives