After several years of sharp interest-rate moves, high inflation and political noise, 2026 begins on a more stable footing. Growth is holding up across most major economies, inflation is easing rather than accelerating and central banks are signalling a more measured approach to policy. That said, markets are still being shaped by competing forces, from […]
As promised in last month’s article, where we unpacked what might be on the table and why expats often feel Budget changes first, we’re now back with a clear, same-day breakdown of what was actually announced, and what it means for UK expats and internationally mobile professionals. While today’s Budget doesn’t deliver a sweeping reform […]
Another Autumn Budget is on the horizon, and if you’ve glanced at the headlines, you’ve likely seen a familiar mix of speculation, warnings and “what-if” scenarios. For UK expats, it’s natural to feel a little exposed when the Chancellor starts talking tax. But before you jump to conclusions or rearrange your portfolio, take a breath. […]
“I’ll invest when the market feels more stable.” That line, or some version of it, has been echoing in conversations all year. And I get it. When you've just watched markets tumble, it’s tempting to wait for a ‘green light’ before stepping back in. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: the market doesn’t flash a signal […]
There’s something oddly enduring about the debate between property and pensions, as if, decades later, we’re all still trying to pick a team. For many UK expats, especially those living in places like Thailand or southern Europe, the pull of “bricks and mortar” feels natural. It’s tangible, it’s lifestyle-driven, and it can even double as […]
Stop Hoping, Start Planning Most people don’t deliberately avoid planning for retirement; it just slips further down the to-do list. Life is busy, pensions feel complicated, and there’s always a quiet assumption that the government will step in. The reality is that state support was never designed to provide a full retirement income, and without […]
For years, pensions have been the quiet hero of estate planning: tax-friendly, reliable, and mostly out of the inheritance tax firing line. But from April 2027, that peace of mind takes a knock. Unused pension savings will fall within the UK’s inheritance tax net, and due to the way the tax layers stack, your loved […]
It’s been an eventful first six months of 2025 to say the least. Central bank shifts, surprise inflation data and a couple of geopolitical curveballs in the mix. Having your money spread across countries means you've probably felt the repercussions. The economic headlines ripple right through pension pots, property plans, and everyday spending. Whether you’re […]
The Year to Recalibrate If you've glanced at pension headlines recently, you might have seen a lot of noise – lifetime allowance scrapped here, inflation-adjusted thresholds there. It sounds like chaos. But here’s the upside: 2025 could be one of the best years in recent memory to rebuild your pension strategy around today’s rules, especially […]
When most people think about tax, they focus on the headline rates: 20%, 40% and 45%. What people often overlook is the effective tax rate - the actual rate you end up paying on each extra pound you earn, once all the oddities in the system are taken into account. One of the most surprising […]
