UK Financial Planning Blog
Plain English guides to mortgages, tax, ISAs, pensions, and smart money management.
Tax-Efficient Withdrawal Sequencing in Retirement (UK, 2026/27)
Which pot do you draw first in retirement, pension, ISA or GIA? A 2026/27 guide to withdrawal order, the 25% tax-free cash decision, the £100k trap, the MPAA, and pension recycling rules.
Read more ›ISA vs SIPP vs GIA: Tax-Efficient Account Placement in the UK (2026/27)
Which investments belong in your ISA, your SIPP, and your General Investment Account? A 2026/27 guide to asset location, the pension-vs-ISA bracket bet, and the 2027 Cash ISA cap.
Read more ›ETF Selection for UK Investors (2026): Domicile, Acc vs Inc, and Portfolio Building Blocks
How UK investors choose ETFs in 2026: single-fund vs multi-fund portfolios, accumulating vs distributing, why Irish-domiciled funds usually win, and what withholding tax and TERs really cost.
Read more ›Index Investing and ETFs 101 for UK Investors (2026)
A plain-English guide to index funds and ETFs for UK investors: why low costs and broad diversification beat most active funds over time, where to hold them, and the common pitfalls to avoid.
Read more ›Inheritance Tax 2026/27 Explained, and the 2027 Pension Change Coming
The 2026/27 IHT thresholds are frozen at £325,000 and £175,000, but from April 2027 most unused pensions will be pulled into the estate. Here's what to understand and plan for now.
Read more ›The High Income Child Benefit Charge Explained (2026/27): The £60k–£80k Trap
If either parent earns over £60,000, HMRC claws back Child Benefit through the tax system. Here's how the 2026/27 HICBC taper works, the salary-sacrifice fix, and why you should still claim.
Read more ›Marriage Allowance 2026/27: Claim Up to £252 a Year (and Backdate 4 Years)
Marriage Allowance lets a non-taxpayer transfer £1,260 of Personal Allowance to a basic-rate spouse, saving up to £252 a year. You can backdate the claim four tax years, here's how.
Read more ›The Cash ISA Limit Cut from April 2027: What It Means and What to Do
From 6 April 2027, the Cash ISA limit drops to £12,000 a year for under-65s. The overall ISA allowance stays at £20,000. Here's how to plan for it during 2026/27.
Read more ›ISA Allowance 2026/27: What the Autumn Budget 2025 Means for Your Savings
Your full £20,000 ISA allowance is preserved for 2026/27, but the rules change in April 2027. Here's exactly what's coming, who it affects, and how to plan now.
Read more ›Self-Assessment 2026/27: How Class 2 and Class 4 NI Work for the Self-Employed
Class 2 NI is no longer mandatory. Class 4 NI sits at 6%. Here's exactly how the self-employment tax bill works in 2026/27, the deadlines, and how to estimate payments on account.
Read more ›Dividend Tax 2026/27: The New 10.75% / 35.75% / 39.35% Rates Explained
From 6 April 2026, dividend tax went up 2 percentage points at basic and higher rates. Here's how the new rates work, who pays more, and how to extract income tax-efficiently.
Read more ›State Pension Triple Lock 2026: Why the New Rate Is £241.30 a Week
The State Pension rose 4.8% in April 2026 under the triple lock. Here's how the triple lock works, why this year's rise was 4.8%, and what to do if your forecast is below the full rate.
Read more ›Stamp Duty After April 2025: New SDLT Bands, the 5% Surcharge and First-Time Buyer Rules
The April 2025 SDLT changes reduced the nil-rate threshold and made first-time buyer relief less generous. Here's exactly how SDLT works now in England & NI, with worked examples.
Read more ›How Much Do You Really Need to Retire Comfortably in the UK?
The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association says you need £43,100 a year for a comfortable retirement. But what does that actually mean for your pension pot? We break it down using the new £241.30/week State Pension.
Read more ›Understanding Your UK Tax Code and Take-Home Pay: A Plain English Guide
Ever wondered why your payslip looks so different from your salary? This guide explains UK income tax, National Insurance, and tax codes for 2026/27 so you always know what you're owed.
Read more ›How to Make the Most of Your ISA Allowance Before the Tax Year Ends (2026/27 Guide)
Don't let your £20,000 ISA allowance go to waste. This plain English guide explains exactly how ISAs work, which type is right for you, and how to maximise your tax-free savings before 5 April.
Read more ›The Lifetime ISA Explained: Free Government Money for Your First Home or Retirement
The government gives you £1,000 free every year with a Lifetime ISA - but there are rules. This guide explains who qualifies, how the LISA works, and whether it's right for you.
Read more ›How to Work Out What Mortgage You Can Afford in the UK (2026 Guide)
Thinking of buying a home? This guide explains how UK mortgage affordability works, what lenders look for, how to boost your chances, and how to calculate your monthly payments.
Read more ›Self Assessment Tax Return: A Step-by-Step Guide for UK Self-Employed Workers and Freelancers
Dreading your self-assessment tax return? This plain English guide explains who needs to file, what to include, key deadlines, and how to pay less tax legally.
Read more ›Stamp Duty Land Tax Explained: How Much Will You Pay When Buying a Home in the UK?
Stamp duty is one of the biggest upfront costs of buying a property, and the rules changed twice in late 2024 and early 2025. This guide explains exactly how much you'll pay under the current SDLT bands and the 5% additional-property surcharge.
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