Is Your Financial Planner Helping You Make Better Decisions?

Is Your Financial Planner Helping You Make Better Decisions?

Financial planning isn't just about investments, pensions or achieving the highest possible returns. In this episode, Nick explores why the best financial advice is often about something much deeper: helping people make better decisions. Drawing on an award-winning approach to retirement planning and a fascinating behavioural science research paper, Nick explains why emotions, habits and psychology play such a significant role in retirement success. You'll discover: * Why behaviour often matters more than investment performance * The COM-B model and how it influences financial decisions * Why people delay retirement—even when they can afford it * The importance of trust, coaching and accountability * Why great financial planners help people optimise decisions, not just portfolios If you've ever wondered what real value a financial planner should bring, this episode offers a fresh perspective.

34 - Will Your Pension Face Inheritance Tax From 2027?

The pension inheritance tax changes coming in April 2027 are some of the biggest changes to retirement planning in years—but many people still aren't sure what they actually mean. In this episode, Nick explains the new rules in plain English, looks back at how pension freedoms changed retirement planning in 2015, and explores why these latest changes matter for anyone with a pension. You'll learn: * What will change from April 2027 * Why pensions are being brought into inheritance tax * Who could be affected (and who won't) * The role of executors and beneficiaries * Practical steps you can take now to prepare If you've been hearing about the pension inheritance tax changes but aren't sure how they apply to you, this episode provides a clear, practical overview.

33 - Could Your Pension Create An Inheritance Tax Problem?

Following their appearance together on the Martin Lewis Money Show Pensions Special, Nick is joined by Charlene Young, Senior Pensions and Savings Expert at AJ Bell and the Telegraph's "Pensions Doctor". With major changes to the inheritance tax treatment of pensions due from April 2027, many people are questioning whether their retirement plans still make sense. In this episode, Nick and Charlene discuss who could be affected by the proposed changes, why pensions have become a key inheritance tax planning tool in recent years, and what retirees may want to consider before making any decisions. They explore gifting, pension death benefits, tax-efficient withdrawals, common misconceptions and the importance of looking beyond headlines when planning for retirement. If you've built up pension savings and are wondering how these changes could affect you or your family, this episode will help you understand the key issues and the questions worth asking.

32 - Are You Saving Enough For Retirement?

The latest Retirement Living Standards report suggests millions of people across the UK could be under-saving for retirement. In this episode, Nick breaks down the latest findings, explores what a minimum, moderate and comfortable retirement actually costs in 2025, and discusses why so many people may be underestimating both how much they need and how long their money needs to last. Nick also shares his thoughts on auto-enrolment, the challenges facing self-employed savers, why pensions can feel like "just another tax" when you're younger, and the milestone that can completely change how you view retirement saving. If you've ever wondered whether you're saving enough, or what retirement might realistically cost, this episode provides a practical starting point.

31 - More Pension Questions From The Martin Lewis Show

Following on from last week's episode, Pension Truths I Couldn't Explain On The Martin Lewis Show, Nick returns to answer some of the biggest pension and retirement questions submitted after the broadcast. With thousands of questions sent into the Martin Lewis Money Show Live, there simply wasn't enough time to cover everything properly on air. In this follow-up episode, Nick explores: * How much should you really pay into your pension? * Should you consolidate old pension pots? * Can you boost your State Pension? * When can you realistically retire? * Workplace pension vs SIPP explained simply * What happens to your pension when you die? Nick also discusses the emotional side of retirement planning, including fear of running out of money, avoiding irreversible mistakes, and the confusion caused by financial jargon. A practical continuation of last week's Martin Lewis special designed to help listeners make clearer, more confident retirement decisions.