Expert guides and analysis on pension drawdown, retirement planning and UK provider comparisons — written by Phil Handley, Chartered IFA, DipPFS.
The minimum pension access age rises from 55 to 57 in April 2028, affecting anyone born after 6 April 1973. This guide explains what the change means for your drawdown plans and what steps to consider now.
Transferring a defined benefit pension into drawdown is one of the most consequential financial decisions a person can make. This guide explains what you give up, when a transfer might be considered, and why regulated advice is essential.
Over 356,000 households have lost benefits after missing DWP migration notices. If you're approaching retirement or already drawing your pension, here's what the Universal Credit switch means for your income.
Your asset allocation in drawdown can make or break your retirement. Here's how UK retirees should think about equities, bonds, cash, and glide paths in 2026.
UFPLS and flexi-access drawdown are the two main ways to take taxable income from your pension. Here's how they compare and when each one makes sense.
HMRC refunds millions in overpaid pension tax every quarter. Here's why your first withdrawal could be taxed thousands too much — and how to claim it back fast.
A pension projection that only assumes good times is a wish list, not a plan. Here are seven realistic scenarios to run before you commit to drawdown — and how to react if any of them happen.
Take taxable income from drawdown and your annual pension allowance can plummet from £60,000 to just £10,000 — here's how the MPAA works and how to avoid being caught out.
Two retirees with identical average returns can end up worlds apart — one comfortable, the other running out of money. Here's why timing matters in drawdown, and what you can do about it.
Deferring your State Pension boosts your income for life — but is the wait actually worth it? We break down the maths, the tax angles, and when deferral really pays off in 2026.
Fixed-term annuities offer guaranteed income for a defined period plus a maturity lump sum — bridging the gap between drawdown flexibility and lifetime annuity certainty. Here's how they work and when they make sense.
Drawdown fees can quietly drain tens of thousands from your pot over retirement. Here's how to decode platform charges, fund costs and hidden fees — and how much they really add up to.
Age 75 quietly reshapes UK pension rules — from death-benefit tax to contribution relief. Here is what changes at 75 for drawdown investors, and how to plan ahead.
Should you live off your pension's dividends or sell down capital to fund retirement? Here's how the two strategies compare on income, tax, risk and inheritance.
The 4% rule is a useful starting point, but it is static. The Guyton-Klinger rules offer a dynamic alternative — letting you take more in good years and rein in spending in bad ones.
Married or in a civil partnership? Coordinating drawdown across two pensions can save thousands in tax. Here's how couples can plan income together in 2026.
A well-designed cash buffer can protect your pension from sequence-of-returns risk and let you ride out market dips without selling investments at the wrong time.
Earning between £100,000 and £125,140? You could be losing 60p of every extra pound to tax. Here's how retirees can sidestep this hidden trap.
From April 6, 2026, the state pension rises 4.8% to £241.30/week. Find out how this impacts your pension drawdown withdrawal plan and tax strategy.
The FCA's new targeted support framework comes into force April 6, 2026. Find out how it changes the guidance landscape for pension drawdown investors and what it means for you.
Inflation can significantly impact your retirement lifestyle if not properly understood and managed. This article explores strategies for mitigating inflation risk in drawdown, including investment choices, withdrawal strategies, and the importance of professional advice.
Discover how pension drawdown fits into your estate planning strategy, from beneficiary nominations to tax implications for your legacy. Protect your loved ones.
Explore various flexible pension drawdown income strategies for UK retirees, including natural income, total return, phased income, dynamic withdrawals, and blended approaches with annuities. Learn how to manage investment strategy, withdrawal rates, taxes, inflation, and longevity risk for a successful retirement.
Explore how pension drawdown interacts with long-term care planning in the UK. Learn about financial implications, strategies for funding care, and key considerations for securing your retirement.
Explore the exciting future of pension drawdown, including trends in personalisation, technology, sustainable investing, and regulatory changes shaping retirement planning in the UK.
Discover the benefits and considerations of consolidating multiple pension pots into a single plan as you approach retirement and plan for flexible access drawdown.
Discover how to manage investment risk and market volatility in pension drawdown to protect your retirement savings. Learn about diversification, asset allocation, and income smoothing techniques.
Learn how to effectively manage your pension lump sum to secure your financial future. This guide covers key considerations and strategies for retirees in the UK.
Discover how combining pension drawdown with annuities can maximise your retirement security, offering both flexibility and guaranteed income. Learn about the benefits, risks, and strategic approaches to a hybrid retirement plan in the UK.
Discover why regularly reviewing your pension drawdown strategy is crucial for a secure retirement, adapting to life changes, market shifts, and legislative updates.
Discover how combining annuities with pension drawdown can create a balanced and secure retirement income strategy, offering both guaranteed income for essential needs and investment flexibility.
Explore how pension drawdown interacts with succession planning to ensure your retirement savings benefit your chosen loved ones, covering nominations, trusts, and tax implications in the UK.
Discover how to align your pension drawdown strategy with ethical investment principles, focusing on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors for a financially sound and values-driven retirement.
Discover how phased retirement, combined with pension drawdown, offers a flexible and tax-efficient way to ease into retirement while maintaining financial stability and investment growth potential.
Explore how pension drawdown interacts with UK inheritance tax. Learn to effectively plan your legacy, understand beneficiary nominations, and optimise your pension for tax efficiency.
Explore the comprehensive rules governing SIPP drawdown in the UK, including tax-free cash, income flexibility, MPAA, investment choices, and death benefits. Understand how to manage your retirement income effectively.
Discover strategies to protect your pension drawdown fund and maintain a sustainable retirement income during periods of market volatility.
Discover how strategically combining pension drawdown with ISAs can help you achieve tax efficiency, manage risk, and create a flexible income stream for a more secure retirement.
If you have a UK pension and are planning to retire abroad, understanding QROPS and international drawdown rules is essential. This guide covers the key options, risks, and tax considerations for UK expats in 2026.
Everything you need to know about Pension Commencement Lump Sum (PCLS) — the tax-free cash rules, the new Lump Sum Allowance, and strategies for taking your 25% efficiently.
Worried about your pension running out? Discover practical strategies to make your drawdown fund last, from sustainable withdrawal rates to the bucket approach and partial annuities.
From April 2026, Business Property Relief is capped at £2.5m per person. Combined with pension IHT changes from April 2027, family business owners and farmers face a significant double whammy. Here's what it means for your pension drawdown strategy.
Hargreaves Lansdown overhauled its SIPP and drawdown fees on 1 March 2026, cutting its platform charge from 0.45% to 0.35% but tripling the cap on share-holding charges. Find out whether you're a winner or loser — and whether it's time to switch.
The OBR warned today that a million extra pensioners will be drawn into income tax by 2031 due to the frozen personal allowance and rising State Pension. Here's what it means for pension drawdown savers — and how to plan.
The Chancellor delivered the Spring Statement 2026 on 3 March. Here's what was announced — and what wasn't — for pensions, drawdown, and retirement planning.
The 4% rule is often cited as the 'safe' withdrawal rate for pension drawdown — but does it work for UK retirees? This guide explains the research, its limitations, and how to set a sustainable income in drawdown.
The bucket strategy divides your pension drawdown into short, medium, and long-term pots — each with a different purpose. Here's how to set it up and why it helps you stay invested through market volatility.
The UK State Pension age is rising from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028. Find out who's affected, what it means for retirement planning, and the strategies people consider to bridge the income gap.
Annuity rates vary by age, health, and type. Here's a guide to what a £300,000 pension pot might buy as a guaranteed income in 2026.
What happens to your pension pot depends on the type of pension, your age at death, and who you've nominated as beneficiary. Here's a guide to pension death benefits.