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Expert opinions on markets, trends and financial planning.
The objective of this page is to present users with objective news, information, data and guidance on personal finance topics drawn from a diverse collection of sources including affiliated and non-affiliated financial services publications. Content is not intended to provide tax, legal, insurance or investment advice and should not be construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any security or investment by any Fidelity entity or any third-party. Please note that the views expressed may no longer be current.
Smoothing the client investment journey to and through retirement
Individuals require an appropriate strategy to ensure they can afford the retirement lifestyle they want. However, there are multifaceted challenges that can impact a pension portfolio’s performance and a client’s investment mindset.
Claire Altman Managing Director, Individual Retirement, Standard Life - 04 Jul 2025
Rethinking retirement: a smarter approach to drawdown
With people living longer - and spending longer in retirement – than ever before, there’s a fundamental need for flexible solutions that help clients to live, save and spend.
Stuart Bate Head of Wholesale Partnerships, Individual Retirement Solutions, at Standard Life. - 03 Jul 2025
Pensions and IHT - should clients’ Expression of Wish be updated now?
Inheritance Tax on unused pension funds will apply only to deaths after April 2027. As we navigate this interim period, regular reviews and updates of Expressions of wish become paramount.
Paul Squirrell Head of Retirement and Savings Development - 26 Jun 2025
Is a ‘comfortable retirement’ affordable?
‘I have enough money to last me the rest of my life, unless I buy something.’ That quote by the American comedian Jackie Mason sums up the dilemma facing many retirees: Do they have enough financial resources to last for a lifetime?
Paul Squirrell Head of Retirement and Savings Development - 09 Jun 2025
Are annuities puzzling?
The ‘annuity puzzle’ hints at a gap between economic theory and economic reality where annuities remain less popular than drawdown.
Paul Squirrell Head of Retirement and Savings Development - 30 May 2025
Navigating the Retirement Risk Zone with Smoothed Funds
Retirement is a crucial moment in a person’s life, but approaching this watershed moment is something known as the Retirement Risk Zone.
Samantha Pardoe Senior Investment Development Manager at Standard Life - 12 May 2025
The interview – Andy Brown on how smoothed funds can meet clients’ needs
A little over a year ago, Standard Life’s Fund Solutions team recognised that the UK retirement landscape was quickly changing.
Andy Brown Head of Fund Solutions at Standard Life - 12 May 2025
Transitional tax-free amount certificates
Applications need to made before the first RBCE in the new tax year.
Paul Squirrell Head of Retirement and Savings Development - 21 Apr 2025
Beneficiary flexi-access drawdown (BFAD) conundrum
Pitfalls and issues to be considered with the payment of beneficiaries flexi-access drawdown death benefits.
Paul Squirrell Head of Retirement and Savings Development - 03 Apr 2025
Spring Statement: what you need to know
Waiting for growth: Rachel Reeves kicks the can down the road.
Tom Stevenson Fidelity International - 26 Mar 2025
Can clients have their cake and eat it?
Retirement decumulation planning is usually presented as a binary decision – the flexibility of drawdown or the certainty of a lifetime annuity. But is there a special alchemy when the two solutions are combined?
Paul Squirrell Head of Retirement and Savings Development - 13 Mar 2025
Ensuring Expression of Wish forms are up to date is more important than ever
Having an up-to-date Expression of Wish form is vital when it comes to succession planning. However, this is often not the case.
Jon Hale Senior Regional Platform Consultant, Fidelity Adviser Solutions - 12 Feb 2025
Standard Life plots a smoother course through the Retirement Risk Zone
If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that uncertainty is constant – and we never truly know what’s waiting around the corner.
Andy Brown Head of Fund Solutions at Standard Life - 10 Feb 2025
Help your clients to maximise valuable ISA tax benefits
Following the Autumn Budget, the ISA allowance is arguably now even more precious given the increases to the rates of capital gains tax.
Jon Hale Senior Regional Platform Consultant, Fidelity Adviser Solutions - 23 Jan 2025
Retiring by instalments
These days retirement is a nebulous concept. It’s not always obvious where work ends and retirement begins.
Paul Squirrell Head of Retirement and Savings Development - 10 Dec 2024
Post-Budget and US election – is it time to invest again?
Where do investors stand following two significant events?
Ed Monk Fidelity International - 14 Nov 2024
The fallacy of a ‘smile’ retirement
There is a view that expenditure in retirement resembles the shape of a smile. For some people this may be true, but for most people ‘smile’ isn’t the path they’ll follow.
Paul Squirrell Head of Retirement and Savings Development - 08 Nov 2024
Adviser optimism abounds as firms position themselves for growth
Each year, we examine the opportunities and challenges facing advice businesses through our IFA DNA research programme, a survey1 of 200 financial advisers from firms large and small.
Paul Richards Head of Adviser Distribution, Fidelity International - 07 Nov 2024
Autumn Budget 2024 – what it means for your clients and their money
No surprises from Rachel Reeves’s tax-spend-and-borrow Budget
Tom Stevenson Fidelity International - 30 Oct 2024
Why the 4% rule shouldn’t be ‘the tail that wags the dog’
The recent FCA thematic review of retirement advice questioned whether a single rate, that doesn’t reflect individual circumstances, is appropriate.
Paul Squirrell Head of Retirement and Savings Development - 18 Oct 2024
AI and Cybersecurity – a new era
With AI becoming increasingly prevalent in both the professional and personal spheres, it is essential to understand the potential security risks, alongside the very real advantages associated with this innovative technology.
Katie Beecroft Risk and Security, Fidelity International - 02 Oct 2024
Cybersecurity: addressing behavioural risks
Why individuals – both advisers and their clients – may be unable to work in the most secure way possible.
Katie Beecroft Risk and Security, Fidelity International - 18 Sep 2024
What the end of NS&I 6.2% bond tells us about cash savings
The past year has been a golden period for anyone looking for interest on their cash, with savings rates beating inflation by the highest amount in years.
Ed Monk Fidelity International - 17 Sep 2024
Attack of the TOADs
A TOAD attack, which stands for Telephone-Oriented Attack Delivery, is a relatively new type of cyber attack combining voice and phishing techniques.
Katie Beecroft Risk and Security, Fidelity International - 11 Sep 2024
Will Labour change the State Pension age?
Why official pension ages may change again
Andrew Oxlade Fidelity International - 30 Aug 2024
Retirement income: why smoothed funds and why now?
Has the recent market volatility along with significant regulatory change prompted some difficult conversations about retirement income with your clients?
Claire Altman Managing Director, Individual Retirement, Standard Life - 29 Jul 2024
Labour's possible pension changes - what chance they happen?
There was little known about Labour’s plans for our retirement savings prior to last week’s general election - the party’s manifesto contained only a handful of mentions of pensions.
Ed Monk Fidelity International - 17 Jul 2024
A Labour government: what the election means for your clients' finances
Tom Stevenson’s take on the election
Tom Stevenson Fidelity International - 08 Jul 2024
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