A long-awaited way to view your pension savings in one place is finally taking shape
For years, savers have been promised a simpler way to track their pension savings. The concept is straightforward: instead of searching through old paperwork, logging in to multiple providers or trying to remember where a former employer’s pension scheme is held, you could eventually see your pension information securely in one place.
Month: September 2026
Could looking after grandchildren add to your State Pension?
A little-known National Insurance credit could reward you and give you a financial boost
Providing regular childcare for grandchildren could do more than help your family. It could also help protect your State Pension entitlement through National Insurance credits. Grandparents who spend their time caring for grandchildren may be able to claim Specified Adult Childcare credits.
Upcoming changes raise concerns among savers
More than one in five adults report a decline in pension confidence
The upcoming changes to how pensions are treated for Inheritance Tax (IHT) from 6 April 2027 appear to be having a wider impact on pension confidence, despite most adults being unaffected. New research finds that 49% of adults say their confidence is unchanged, while 22% say it has fallen since the rules were announced in the 2024 Autumn Budget[1].
The true cost of raising a child in 2026
From childcare and essentials to education and everyday expenses
Raising a child is a major financial commitment, with costs beginning long before school age. The latest figures from the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) estimate the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 at £250,000 for a couple and £290,000 for a lone parent[1].
Giving money or valuable possessions to loved ones
54% of over-55s have no record of gifts given in the previous seven years
Giving money or valuable possessions to loved ones can be a generous way to provide support, but failing to keep track of those gifts could leave families facing an Inheritance Tax (IHT) headache later. New research shows that 54% of over-55s who have given a financial gift in the past seven years have kept no record of it[1].