Retirement Money News

Today marks the start of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment’s (CISI’s) Financial Planning Week. The week, organised by the CISI and for the first time ever supported by its trade body rival The Personal Finance Society (PFS), aims to help improve consumers’ confidence and understanding of finances.
This includes helping more consumers to plan their finances and to make sure their life goals are supported with a financial plan to achieve these. A good financial plan can include a review of your pension arrangements, making sure your family is protected if your income reduces, a review of your savings and investments and the cost of your borrowing.

The CISI is offering all consumers a free one-hour personal financial planning session worth up to £500 during Financial Planning Week. The PFS is offering support through its pro-bono programmes, which includes 100 financial advisers offering free guidance to Armed Forces personnel. Consumers can also find financial advisers by using services such as unbiased.com and vouchedfor.co.uk.
The Coronavirus pandemic has affected nearly everybody’s day-to-day finances and the Money Wellness Index from first direct found more than half of adults (54%) now want to become more financially resilient. This is on top of 9 million UK consumers that identify as having low financial capability (study: Financial Conduct Authority) and just over a quarter of respondents to a CISI study stating they were not confident about their financial situation.

Rachel Springall, finance expert at Moneyfacts.co.uk, said:
“The impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on consumers and businesses may well have prompted them to take a step back to reassess their financial health and there is no time like the present to take advantage of free financial planning sessions through CISI during Financial Planning Week. If consumers would prefer to do the groundwork themselves or are wondering how to keep up a regular check on their financial health, then it is worth spending some time to seek out ways to do so.”
Consumers worried about their finances or lacking in confidence can take control by following a series of steps to manage their money and debts today and for the future.

Over the past four years the average equity release has fallen by 1.14% so that it is now on average cheaper to take out an equity release than it was in 2016. While this is good news for those currently considering releasing equity from their home, for those who took out an equity release plan some years ago it may be disappointing reading. Fortunately, there is the possibility of remortgaging equity release, which could result in a lower, cheaper rate. Below we take a look at whether now is a good time to remortgage your equity release.

Since 2016 the average equity release rate has fallen from 5.35% to stand at 4.21% today. As the below table shows, average equity release rates have been falling consistently year-on-year over the past four years. In addition to this, as we reported earlier this week, research from Key Partnership found that competition within the equity release market is increasing and this year has seen a new equity release product being launched every 28 hours.

The fall in rates combined with the increase in equity release competition means that those looking to remortgage equity release now are likely to get a better deal than if they did so just a few years ago. This could also mean that, depending on the rate of their initial equity release, they could be able to get a remortgage equity release deal that results in paying a lower rate. Additionally, with new products entering the market offering enhanced product features, those with an equity release could find that there are now more options that suit their personal circumstances than when they initially took out equity release.

Saying this, there are many factors to consider, and costs to be included, when looking to remortgage an equity release. For example, those with an equity release deal could find that they have to pay a significant amount of money to exit their existing deal and remortgage with a new equity release – the cost of this could outweigh the lower rates being offered on the new equity release deal.

Despite the numerous benefits equity release can offer it is important that independent financial advice is sought to ensure the costs and implications are understood fully. In addition to this, speaking to an equity release adviser may be a good option to help those looking to remortgage equity release to find the right deal for their circumstances.

Workers nearing retirement and looking for the income security provided by an annuity will be disappointed by our research which found that average annual annuity income has fallen by over £1,000 over the last decade.

“Those looking for a guaranteed income during their retirement may be considering an annuity, but over the years this market has contracted significantly and there are only a few providers left in the open market annuity area,” explains Rachel Springall, finance expert at Moneyfacts.co.uk. “As it stands, an annuity for a single life male aged 65 who has a £50,000 lump sum and takes out a level without guarantee annuity (standard or enhanced included) will receive an annual annuity income of £2,295 on average paid monthly in advance, but this is £1,080 less than the same time ten years ago.

As house prices continue to rise, combined with the withdrawal of many first-time buyer deals from the mortgage market, it is currently a very challenging environment for those looking to take their first step onto the property ladder. Grandparents with grandchildren struggling to get the deposit needed to secure a mortgage on their first home may be tempted to help out by releasing equity from their own home to pay towards the deposit.

Here we take a look at whether grandparents should consider releasing equity from their home to help pay for their grandchild’s house deposit.