Category: news

2025 has been a volatile year for global stock markets, driven by sticky inflation, conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and President Trump’s trade tariffs – not to mention those DeepSeek, Tesla, and Nvidia headlines.

These market swings might have made you nervous about your investments.

However, seasoned investors don’t panic when the markets move up and down. Even if there’s a decline of 10% or more – a market correction – they keep their cool. Here’s why.

Market volatility is a normal part of long-term investing

If the value of your investments falls, it might be tempting to sell and limit your losses.

However, it’s important to understand that a degree of market volatility is inevitable.

Prices frequently rise and fall in response to:

• Political and world events
• Economic data
• Investor sentiment.

These movements might be unsettling, especially if there are significant declines, but they are part and parcel of investing.

Even significant declines – market corrections – are more common than you might think.

Figures published by Schroders reveal that between 1971 and 2023, stock market declines of 10% or more on the MSCI World Index occurred in the majority of years.

Source: Schroders

The graph shows that the market fell 10% or more in 30 out of 52 years, while declines of 20% or more happened in 13 years.

So, even headline-grabbing market dips, such as those reported in April 2025 following President Trump’s trade tariff announcement, are usually no cause for panic. They’re just part of the market’s natural rhythm.

Markets typically recover over the long term

Market volatility is both normal and temporary. Even the most significant corrections and crashes typically stabilise over time.

The chart below from Fidelity shows the 10 biggest one-day falls for the UK stock market, measured by the FTSE 100, as well as the subsequent three- and five-year returns.

Source: Fidelity

As you can see, over time, the markets recovered. As such, those who resisted the instinct to panic sell their shares and remained invested made gains in the long term.

The fluctuating market value of the technology company Nvidia further demonstrates the potential benefits of long-term investing.

On 27 January 2025, CNBC reported that Nvidia shares had fallen by 17%, resulting in a loss of almost $600 billion. This represents the biggest drop ever for a US company. However, by 9 July Forbes reported that the tech giant had made a huge comeback, becoming the first $4 trillion company ever.

So, had you sold your Nvidia shares after the January drop, you might have lost out on the subsequent gains.

While Nvidia stock fell again in the first week of November, its historic performance shows how impressively the market can recover over time.

4 ways to stay calm when the markets are volatile

If market volatility still makes you anxious about your investments, here are four tips for staying calm and avoiding emotional decisions.

1. Tune out the noise of market highs and corrections

In today’s technologically advanced world, you might be bombarded every day with investment-related news, whether through social media, the television, or even word of mouth.

Unfortunately, all this noise could make it harder to keep your emotions in check and avoid impulsive decisions, such as rushing to snap up an “unmissable” opportunity or sell shares that are falling in value.

That’s why experienced investors filter and limit the news sources they listen to and only check their portfolio every quarter.

2. Focus on your long-term goals

A cornerstone of effective investing is staying focused on your long-term goals, rather than the market.

As mentioned above, short-term market fluctuations are inevitable, and obsessively monitoring them could result in stress and poor choices.

Instead, anchoring your decisions to your goals could make market volatility less distracting and worrying.

It may also reduce the temptation to “follow the herd” – that is, to buy or sell shares based on other investors’ behaviours rather than your objectives.

Remember, you’re investing to make your life better, be that to retire early or to leave a meaningful legacy to loved ones. As such, an investment strategy that works for someone else might not be a good fit for you. That’s why your long-term goals need to be your priority.

3. Maintain a diversified portfolio

Spreading your wealth across different types of asset classes and geographical areas is known as diversification.

This strategy could help you stay calm because you’ll have peace of mind that no single event is likely to affect your entire portfolio. This is because different types of investments respond to different events. As such, some may fall in value while others make gains.

In contrast, if your portfolio is weighted heavily in one sector or region, this could leave you vulnerable to sudden market downturns.

4. Speak to a financial planner

Reviewing your investments periodically (or if your circumstances change) with a financial planner could help you avoid making emotional decisions. It could also ensure that the level of risk in your portfolio is effectively balanced and aligned with your goals.

Get in touch

If you struggle to remain calm and in control of your investments during periods of market volatility, we can provide the objective advice you need to stay on track to achieve your goals.

Please email hello@bluewealth.co.uk or call us on 0117 332 0230.

Please note

The content of this newsletter is offered only for general informational and educational purposes. It is not offered as, and does not constitute, financial advice.

Blue Wealth Ltd is not responsible for the accuracy of the information contained within linked sites.

Blue Wealth Ltd is an appointed representative of Best Practice IFA Group Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Investments should be considered over the longer term and should fit in with your overall attitude to risk and financial circumstances.

Approved by Best Practice IFA Group: 25/11/25

After months of speculation and rumour, chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered the Autumn Budget for 2025. In this update, we’ll explain the key changes and what they mean for you.

Last year, in her maiden Budget, the chancellor sought to balance the public finances with tax rises to cover a reported £22 billion black hole.

This year, Reeves arguably faced an even more difficult landscape. In turn, she has announced an estimated £26 billion of tax rises by 2029/30.

The chancellor had to start her speech, however, by acknowledging the “deeply disappointing” and “serious error” of the Budget announcements being released early by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

It’s also notable how many predictions ultimately proved to be wide of the mark.

Now that we know exactly what’s included, it’s important to understand the changes and how they could affect you.

The headlines regarding GDP, national debt, and inflation

The chancellor says the government’s plans will reduce borrowing more over the rest of this parliament than any country in the G7.

GDP is expected to grow by 1.5% in 2025, higher than the OBR’s 1% forecast from earlier this year. In subsequent years, the estimations are as follows:

• In 2026, the economy is forecast to grow by 1.4%, below the previous forecast of 1.9%.
• In 2027, GDP is forecast to expand by 1.6%, falling short of March’s estimate of 1.8%.
• In 2028, GDP is estimated to rise by 1.5%. In March of this year, the OBR said this figure would be 1.7%.
• In 2029, the economy will expand by 1.5%, again falling short of the previous estimate of 1.8%.

Due to weaker underlying productivity growth, the OBR estimates that tax receipts will be £16 billion lower in 2029/30 than initially forecast in March 2025.

Average inflation is expected to fall over the next three years.

• In 2025: 3.5%, an increase of 0.2% from the OBR’s original forecast.
• In 2026: 2.5%, up from the OBR’s 2.1% forecast from March.
• In 2027: 2%.

National debt will stand at £2.6 trillion this year. £1 in every £10 the government spends is on debt interest.

Tax threshold freezes extended until 2031

The Labour manifesto promised not to increase Income Tax or National Insurance (NI), and despite pre-Budget speculation, the government has kept to that promise in this Budget.

However, the chancellor did announce that the Income Tax thresholds will remain frozen for a further three years beyond the previous 2028 freeze, staying where they are until April 2031. This move will raise £8 billion for the government. Similarly, the Inheritance Tax (IHT) threshold freeze is extended from 2030 to 2031.

While this will not increase your Income Tax or IHT bills directly, this fiscal drag means more of your income and wealth may be exposed to tax over time.

The government is also upholding its commitment to bringing pension pots into the scope of IHT from April 2027, and reforms to relief for business and agricultural assets from April 2026.

The tax rates on dividends, savings, and property income will rise by two percentage points

Tax rates are set to rise for dividends, savings, and property income.

• Dividends: From April 2026, ordinary and upper rates of tax on dividend income will rise by two percentage points to 10.75% and 35.75% respectively. There is no change to the additional rate, which will remain at 39.35%.
• Property and savings: From April 2027, the rate of tax on property and savings income will increase by two percentage points across all tax bands to 22%, 42%, and 47% respectively.

The government confirmed that, even after these reforms, 90% of taxpayers will still pay no tax on their savings. However, these changes are set to impact business owners and landlords.

The chancellor says these increases will raise £2.2 billion in 2029/30.

The ISA allowance will be reformed for under-65s, and some allowances have been frozen

The chancellor announced that from April 2027, the Individual Savings Account (ISA) allowance will change for under-65s.

As it stands, adults can contribute £20,000 across their ISAs, including Cash ISAs and Stocks and Shares ISAs, each tax year.

From April 2027, £8,000 of this allowance will be reserved exclusively for investments, leaving an available £12,000 that savers can pay into their non-investment accounts, such as Cash ISAs.

Savers over the age of 65 will continue to be able to save up to £20,000 in a Cash ISA each year.

The allowances for Junior ISAs and Lifetime ISAs are frozen until April 2031 at £9,000 and £4,000 a year, respectively.

Salary sacrifice on pension contributions to be capped at £2,000

The chancellor put a cap on NI-efficient pension contributions made under salary sacrifice.

Salary sacrifice schemes cost the government £2.8 billion in 2016/17, but this figure was set to triple to £8 billion by 2030/31.

The government will charge employer and employee National Insurance contributions (NICs) on pension contributions above £2,000 a year made via salary sacrifice. This will take effect from 6 April 2029.

The chancellor says that many of those on low and middle incomes will be able to continue using salary sacrifice as normal, while high earners can expect to pay increased NI.

New “mansion tax” on high-value properties

The chancellor announced the much-speculated “mansion tax” that will affect the top 1% of properties.

The new property surcharge will be paid alongside Council Tax.

There will be four price bands starting with £2,500 for a property valued between £2 million and £2.5 million. For properties valued more than £5 million, the levy will be £7,500.

The measure is estimated to raise £400 million by 2031.

Welfare reforms expected to increase by 2029/30

The BBC reported that changes to the government’s previously announced winter fuel payments and health-related benefits will cost £7 billion in 2029/30.

In addition, Reeves revealed she would remove the two-child benefit cap. This will cost £3 billion by 2029/30.

State Pension: Removal of overseas access to Class 2 National Insurance contributions and committing to the triple lock 

As a result of a loophole in the Class 2 voluntary NICs regime, overseas individuals with a limited connection to the UK can build a State Pension entitlement through cheaper rates.

The government is looking to end this by removing access to the cheapest Class 2 NICs for these individuals. Additionally, it will increase the initial residency or contribution requirements for those living outside the UK.

The chancellor also confirmed the government’s commitment to the triple lock. From April 2026, this will increase the basic and new State Pension by 4.8%, offering up to an additional £575 per year to pensioners, depending on their entitlement.

A range of significant changes for business owners

In addition to the Dividend Tax increase, the chancellor announced a range of changes that could affect business owners, including:

• Increases to both the National Living Wage (NLW) and National Minimum Wage (NMW). From 1 April 2026, the NLW paid to workers aged 21 and over will rise by 4.1%, from £12.21 to £12.71 an hour, increasing annual income by approximately £900 a year for full-time employees. For those aged 18 to 20, the NMW will rise by 8.5% from £10 to £10.85 an hour, equivalent to around £1,500 a year if working full-time. For 16- and 17-year-olds, and those on apprenticeships, the NMW will rise by 6%, going from £7.55 to £8 an hour.
• Listing Relief from Stamp Duty Reserve Tax for some businesses. The chancellor said this will “make it easier for entrepreneurs to start, scale, and stay in the UK”.
• Reduced Capital Gains Tax (CGT) relief for Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs). When a business is sold to an EOT, CGT relief will fall from 100% to 50% starting from November 2025. This will raise £0.9 billion from 2027/28 onwards.
• Fully funded apprenticeships for under-25s. This will make them effectively free for small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) from April 2026.
• Lower business rates for more than 750,000 retail, hospitality, and leisure properties. That move will be funded through higher rates on properties worth £500,000 or more, such as warehouses used by online retail.
• Customs duty will apply to parcels of any value from March 2029 at the latest. There is an existing exemption for parcels worth less than £135, favouring large-scale importers.

Other announcements that may affect you

• Household energy bills will fall. Reeves is scrapping the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, saying that on average, families will save £150 a year in 2026.
• A new tax on electric vehicles. The Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) will come into effect in 2028 and equal 3p per mile for battery electric cars and 1.5p per mile for plug-in hybrids. The rate per mile will increase annually in line with the CPI.
• Fuel duty will be frozen until September 2026. In addition, a new “fuel finder” will help drivers find the cheapest fuel, saving the average household £40 a year.
• Reducing the levy threshold on soft drinks. From 1 January 2028, the sugar tax will also be applied to milk-based drinks, including bottled milkshakes and lattes.
• A spousal exemption for agricultural and business asset IHT relief. Unused combined business and agricultural asset IHT relief will become transferable between spouses and civil partners.
• Tobacco Duty and Alcohol Duty will both be uprated. Tobacco Duty will be uprated as announced last year, and Alcohol Duty will now rise with inflation.
• Rising taxes on online gambling. From April 2026, Remote Gaming Duty will increase by 21% to 40%. A new Remote Betting Rate set at 25% will be introduced from April 2027, though horse race betting will be exempt from the changes.

Other key thresholds that remain the same

More broadly, the chancellor made no mention of other key thresholds that will remain the same. These include:

• The pension Annual Allowance
• Stamp Duty Land Tax for residential properties
• The headline rates of Income Tax, NI, and VAT, as outlined in the government’s election manifesto.

Please note

All information is from the Budget documents on this page.

The content of this Autumn Budget summary is intended for general information purposes only. The content should not be relied upon in its entirety and shall not be deemed to be or constitute advice.

While we believe this interpretation to be correct, it cannot be guaranteed, and we cannot accept any responsibility for any action taken or refrained from being taken as a result of the information contained within this summary. Please obtain professional advice before entering into or altering any new arrangement.

Approved by Best Practice IFA Group Limited on 26/11/2025.

Having a stable income when you retire could give you the independence to enjoy a meaningful and fulfilling life after work. Indeed, a July 2023 survey by Legal & General found that 94% of UK adults said that financial security was their most important retirement dream.

Your State Pension, along with other savings and investments, could provide the stability you need to support the retirement lifestyle you want.

However, there is a worrying lack of understanding about the State Pension among UK adults.

The Retirement Voice report published in April 2025 by Standard Life revealed that:

• 50% of UK adults don’t know how much they’ll receive in their State Pension
• 32% are unaware of their State Pension Age.

So, this useful guide explains the essential things you need to know about the State Pension, from when and how you can claim it to how the income it provides will increase during your retirement.

Download your copy here: Everything you need to know about the State Pension

If you have any questions about your State Pension entitlement and how it could supplement other sources of income in retirement, please get in touch.

Please note: This guide is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

The Blue Wealth team has been busy this month, and we can’t wait to tell you all about it…

We achieved Cyber Essentials certification

In our last team update, we told you about our commitment to cybersecurity and our plans to apply for the Cyber Essentials government-backed scheme.

We’re proud to announce that Blue Wealth has now been awarded this prestigious certification.

It was a huge task that took the whole team and our IT partners three months to achieve.

We reviewed every technology, software, and hardware process in the business to ensure that we meet the highest standards of cybersecurity.

Our Managing Director, Rob Bowers, said, “The Cyber Essentials certification brings invaluable peace of mind to our clients as it shows that Blue Wealth and its partners adhere to the most up-to-date and thorough IT standards.

“We plan to reapply for this status each year, as it’s an excellent way for us to stay ahead of the curve and ensure we maintain exceptional standards of cybersecurity.”

Our next step is to modernise our client hub and client communications – watch this space!

Dan and his son had a great time at the England women’s rugby semi-final

On Saturday 20 September, Dan took his six-year-old son to see his first rugby game at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol – the second women’s World Cup semi-final.

The England team didn’t disappoint, finishing with a 35-17 win against France.

Despite the drizzly, cold early autumn weather, Dan and his boy had a fantastic day out.

Dan said, “It was a great result and for my son’s first match too!

“We’re a big sporting family and it’s great when these world-class events come to the city.”

Blue Wealth has an exciting new charity partner

We’re passionate about supporting local causes. From our charity incentive to sponsoring sports clubs, the Blue Wealth team is an active member of the Bristol community. Our charity partner plays an important role in these efforts.

In recent months, we’ve loved working with Community of Purpose, an inspirational charity that transforms the lives of young people in and around the city. We wish them the best of luck as they continue their important work.

This month, Blue Wealth has partnered with The Anchor Society, which improves the lives of older people in the Greater Bristol area by offering grants to individuals facing financial difficulties.

We will make a £50 donation to The Anchor Society for every initial meeting we have that comes from a client recommendation.

Read more: Our charity incentive

And that’s not quite all…

We told you it has been a busy month!

Blue Wealth has also renewed its corporate Personal Finance Society (PFS) Chartered status for the year.

This is a prestigious designation that’s only awarded to firms with a majority of Chartered advisers that operate at the highest standards of customer care and advice.

Get in touch

If you’d like to know more about our team and the financial planning services we offer, we’d love to hear from you.

Please email hello@bluewealth.co.uk or call us on 0117 332 0230.

Please note

The content of this newsletter is offered only for general informational and educational purposes. It is not offered as, and does not constitute, financial advice.

On 31 October, you might enjoy decorating your home and taking your children or grandchildren trick-or-treating for Halloween. It’s a season of enjoyable scares and fun-filled spookiness.

However, you may have some financial fears that bring less joy. In fact, these anxieties might hold you back from making the most of your wealth.

Keep reading to learn about three common money worries and find out how you could overcome them to boost your financial wellbeing.

1. “I’m scared of running out of money in retirement”

According to the findings of an Oxford Risk study, published by IFA Magazine, half of over-55-year-olds are worried that their retirement savings won’t last their lifetime.

Research published by PensionsAge suggests that these fears may be well-founded for many people, as 39% of UK adults aren’t on track to afford a minimum retirement lifestyle.

According to Pensions UK’s Retirement Living Standards, a single person needs £13,400 per year to afford a minimum standard of living in retirement, while a couple needs £21,600. This rises to £43,900 and £60,600 a year respectively for a comfortable retirement.

You’ll likely need a significant savings pot to cover these costs. For example, if you retire at 55 and live to 85, your retirement funds will need to last 30 years. Moreover, inflation may rise over time, which could increase your cost of living.

As such, overcoming this fear and securing the retirement lifestyle you desire requires careful planning. Key things to consider include:

• How long your retirement is likely to last – Think about your preferred retirement age and try using the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) life expectancy calculator to gauge how long your funds may need to last.
• Your retirement income needs – Consider your preferred lifestyle, goals, and how your spending might change during your retirement. For example, you could face increased healthcare costs in later life.
• Your savings and investments – Review all your sources of retirement income, such as pensions, investments, and earnings from rental property. This could help you identify and address any potential shortfall in your retirement funds.

You might benefit from consulting a financial planner who can use cashflow modelling to provide a clear picture of your retirement income needs and create an action plan for achieving your goals.

Read more: 5 top retirement planning tips to help you feel more confident about your financial future

2. “I’m worried about losing money if I invest in the stock market”

Recent findings published by Money Marketing reveal 42% of UK adults keep all their wealth in cash despite 72% saying they know this could leave them worse off in the long run. Among the top reasons cited were a “fear of losses” (38%) and “distrust of markets” (34%).

However, holding too much in cash could put you at risk of losing more money than investing in the stock market.

This is because even modest rates of inflation could erode the real value of your cash savings over time.

The Schroders data below shows how different levels of inflation could affect the spending power of £10,000 cash savings over 25 years.

Source: Schroders. Assumes no cash interest is earned on the original deposit.

As you can see, even a relatively low level of 2% inflation could diminish the value of your savings significantly over time.

In contrast, investing some of your wealth in the stock market may generate higher returns and give you a better chance of outpacing inflation.

This chart, published by Schroders, shows the percentage of time periods in which US stocks and cash beat inflation between 1926 and 2022.

Source: Schroders

This data shows that investments consistently outperformed cash savings. Moreover, the longer investments were held, the more likely they were to outpace inflation.

If your anxiety about losing money makes you hesitant to invest, a financial planner can help you create a diversified portfolio that aligns with your tolerance for risk and your long-term goals. Through personalised coaching and support, they can help you face your fear and become a confident investor.

3. “I’m fearful that my children’s inheritance will be eroded by tax”

The latest data released by HMRC shows that Inheritance Tax (IHT) receipts for the period April to August 2025 reached £3.7 billion, which is £0.2 billion higher than the same period last year.

This is largely due to frozen IHT thresholds, which haven’t kept pace with inflation. As a result, more estates are triggering an IHT charge or facing a larger tax bill.

Additionally, from April 2027, pensions will no longer be exempt from IHT, which could increase the annual number of IHT receipts further still.

If you’re worried about your family’s inheritance being diminished by your estate’s tax liabilities, a financial planner can help you mitigate a potential IHT bill by:

• Maximising IHT allowances
• Gifting some of your wealth during your lifetime
• Setting up trusts to pass on wealth tax-efficiently
• Embedding IHT planning in your broader estate plan
• Using life insurance to cover your estate’s IHT liabilities
• Adjusting your plans in line with changes to tax legislation.

Moreover, your financial planner can use advanced cashflow modelling to forecast the future value of your estate and estimate your IHT liabilities. This could provide the clarity you need to leave a meaningful legacy for your loved ones without compromising your lifestyle.

Get in touch

If your financial fears are holding you back from achieving your goals, we can help.

Our financial planners can provide the guidance and support you need to overcome these barriers and make the most of your wealth.

Please email hello@bluewealth.co.uk or call us on 0117 332 0230.

Please note

The content of this newsletter is offered only for general informational and educational purposes. It is not offered as, and does not constitute, financial advice.

Blue Wealth Ltd is not responsible for the accuracy of the information contained within linked sites.

Blue Wealth Ltd is an appointed representative of Best Practice IFA Group Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Please do not act based on anything you might read in this article. All contents are based on our understanding of HMRC legislation, which is subject to change.

A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until 55 (57 from April 2028). The fund value may fluctuate and can go down, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates, and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.

The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Investments should be considered over the longer term and should fit in with your overall attitude to risk and financial circumstances.

Note that life insurance and financial protection plans typically have no cash in value at any time and cover will cease at the end of the term. If premiums stop, then cover will lapse.

Cover is subject to terms and conditions and may have exclusions. Definitions of illnesses vary from product provider and will be explained within the policy documentation.

Approved by Best Practice IFA Group: 21/10/25

This month, Dan tells us all about his family trip to the AIG Women’s Open golf tournament in Wales.

We also have an important update about our plans for improving cybersecurity at Blue Wealth to ensure the highest standards of data protection.

Keep reading to find out more.

Sarah and Dan had a blast on their family day trip to the AIG Women’s Open golf tournament

Jack (6) and Isabel (10) enjoy taking their golf buggy for a spin

As a sporting family who love the outdoors, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to enjoy a day of world-class golf just over the border in Porthcawl.

The AIG Women’s Open is a major professional golf championship and the largest women’s sporting event ever held in Wales.

It ran over four days, from 31 July to 3 August, and attracted some of the biggest names in the game.

We had a fantastic day watching the ladies on the driving range and the course. There was plenty of entertainment for Jack and Isabel too – from face painting to mini golf.

The weather wasn’t quite as kind as we’ve been used to this summer. But we wrapped up and kept the wind and chill out enough to make the most of every minute.

The drive home was less fun, as we got stuck in a four-hour traffic jam. Overall, it was a great day, although we wouldn’t mind if the event was hosted a little closer to home next time!

Cybersecurity – Our commitment to protecting you

We know that recent TV programmes highlighting cybersecurity threats have raised understandable concerns. At Blue Wealth, protecting your data and financial information is something we take extremely seriously.

We’re currently in the process of applying for Cyber Essentials certification, a government-backed scheme that demonstrates our commitment to strong IT security practices. This includes protecting against the most common forms of cyberattack and ensuring our internal systems are resilient and well-managed.

In addition to our own defences, we apply the same scrutiny to our partners. As part of our due diligence process, we assess the cyber and IT readiness of any third-party suppliers we work with. We want to ensure they uphold the same standards we do when it comes to safeguarding your information.

The good news is that our core financial service providers — platforms, product providers, and custodians — operate IT systems with the same protections you’d expect from a high street bank.

Cybersecurity is constantly evolving, and so are we. We’ll continue to invest in the tools and processes that help keep your data safe.

Get in touch

If you’d like to know more about how the Blue Wealth team can help you with all your financial planning needs, or you have questions about our cybersecurity policy, please get in touch.

Email hello@bluewealth.co.uk or call us on 0117 332 0230.

Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

With the Autumn Budget only a few months away, there has been growing speculation in the press about the possibility of tax increases.

You might have been keeping a close eye on this commentary and wondering how any potential changes could affect you. After all, higher taxes could mean that you have less disposable income to meet your ongoing needs and save for the future.

However, you may not realise that even if the chancellor makes no changes to existing tax rules, you might see your annual tax liabilities increase due to “stealth taxes”. These are indirect tax increases that often go unnoticed.

Keep reading to learn how these hidden taxes work and discover practical ways to protect your wealth.

Frozen Income Tax thresholds could push you into a higher tax bracket

Income Tax is a major source of revenue for the government. It is payable on most (although not all) types of income that exceed your Personal Allowance, which for most people is £12,570 in the 2025/26 tax year.

The amount of tax you’ll pay on earnings above the Personal Allowance depends on how much of your income falls within each of the following bands:

• Basic rate – 20% on earnings between £12,571 and £50,270.
• Higher rate – 40% on earnings between £50,271 and £125,140.
• Additional rate – 45% on earnings over £125,140.

Historically, these tax bands have increased each year in line with inflation and wage growth.

However, the Personal Allowance, basic- and higher-rate thresholds of Income Tax have not changed since April 2021. Moreover, the chancellor has confirmed that these thresholds will remain frozen until at least April 2028.

This is a classic example of a stealth tax. While there has been no direct increase in Income Tax rates, rising salaries and property prices could mean that more of your earnings fall into the higher tax brackets.

According to the Guardian, this “fiscal drag” means that the number of people paying higher-rate Income Tax is expected to increase by 500,000, to more than 7 million, in the 2025/26 tax year.

What’s more, the additional-rate threshold was reduced from £150,000 to £125,140 in April 2023, resulting in more people paying 45% tax on some of their income.

Static Inheritance Tax allowances could mean that your family pays more tax on your estate

If the value of your estate exceeds certain thresholds when you pass away, your beneficiaries might pay Inheritance Tax (IHT) – the standard rate is 40% in 2025/26 – on a portion of your wealth.

IHT thresholds have been frozen until at least April 2030:

• The “nil-rate band” is the amount you can pass on before IHT is payable. This has been frozen at £325,000 since April 2009.
• The “residence nil-rate band” – an additional allowance that may be available if you pass on your main home to your children or grandchildren – has remained at £175,000 since April 2020.

Unfortunately, this failure to keep up with inflation could mean that your family faces a larger IHT bill.

Imagine that your estate was worth £300,000 in 2009. This falls below the nil-rate band, so your beneficiaries would likely not have paid any IHT. Now fast forward to 2025.

According to the Bank of England’s inflation calculator, your estate could now be worth over £481,000. As such, around £156,000 falls beyond the nil-rate band and could trigger an IHT charge (assuming that you cannot benefit from the residence nil-rate band).

Put simply, while the government has not increased the rate of IHT, the freeze on thresholds means that more estates are liable for IHT or facing a higher bill than they might have previously.

Indeed, the latest figures released by HMRC reveal that gross HMRC Tax and NICs receipts for April to August 2025 were £22.1 billion higher than the same period last year.

3 clever ways to protect your wealth from stealth taxes

Fortunately, there are some practical steps you can take to protect your wealth from stealth taxes. Here are three:

1. Rethink your pension contributions

You could reduce your taxable income and potentially avoid moving into a higher tax bracket by paying more into your workplace and private pensions each month.

As such, increasing your pension contributions may help to reduce your tax liabilities while also boosting your retirement savings.

It’s also worth asking your employer if they offer, or would consider offering, a salary sacrifice scheme. This would allow you to exchange or “sacrifice” part of your earnings for other benefits, such as pension contributions.

Your Income Tax and National Insurance contributions would then be calculated based on your reduced salary. As a result, your take-home pay may increase while the amount going into your pension remains the same.

2. Top up your ISAs

In the 2025/26 tax year, you can contribute up to £20,000 in total across your ISA accounts without incurring Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax on any interest or returns. This annual allowance will reset on 6 April 2026 – you can’t carry any of this allowance over into the new tax year, so if you don’t use it, you lose it.

As such, topping up your ISAs could shield more of your wealth from tax and help you maximise tax-efficient growth.

In contrast, any interest you earn on savings held outside an ISA wrapper may be taxed at your marginal rate if you exceed certain thresholds. So, if the frozen Income Tax thresholds have pushed you into a higher band, ISAs could be a valuable tool for reducing the tax you pay on savings interest.

3. Make use of Inheritance Tax gifting allowances and exemptions

Passing on some of your wealth during your lifetime by using IHT gifting allowances and exemptions could lower the value of your estate and minimise future IHT liabilities.

For example, the annual exemption allows you to give away gifts worth up to £3,000 each year (2025/26), without them being added to your estate for IHT purposes.

If rising estate valuations and frozen tax thresholds are likely to increase the IHT bill on your estate, giving while living in this way could be a useful way to protect some of your wealth from stealth taxes.

Get in touch

If you think you might be affected by any of the stealth taxes mentioned above, we can help you keep your wealth as tax-efficient as possible.

Please email hello@bluewealth.co.uk or call us on 0117 332 0230.

Please note

The content of this newsletter is offered only for general informational and educational purposes. It is not offered as, and does not constitute, financial advice.

Blue Wealth Ltd is not responsible for the accuracy of the information contained within linked sites.

Blue Wealth Ltd is an appointed representative of Best Practice IFA Group Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Please do not act based on anything you might read in this article. All contents are based on our understanding of HMRC legislation, which is subject to change.

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate estate planning, or tax planning.

A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until 55 (57 from April 2028). The fund value may fluctuate and can go down, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates, and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts

Workplace pensions are regulated by The Pensions Regulator.

The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Investments should be considered over the longer term and should fit in with your overall attitude to risk and financial circumstances.

Approved by Best Practice IFA Group: 18/09/2025

Financial planning can add real value to your life, helping you achieve your goals and enjoy the lifestyle you want.

When you think about financial planning, you might initially focus on the financial element.

Perhaps you’re interested in how planning can help you reduce your tax bill, invest to get the most out of your savings, or make sure you’re on track for retirement?

While financial planning can certainly help in these areas, it actually goes far beyond that. It’s all about helping you live the life you want, feel more confident about the future, and reach your goals.

When clients first approach a financial professional, it’s often because they need support with a specific question or concern, such as:

• Can I afford to invest more of my wealth?
• How much do I need to save to enjoy my lifestyle in retirement?

• What can I do to reduce Inheritance Tax for my loved ones after I’m gone?

While a planner can help you answer questions like those above, the process of financial planning is even more all-encompassing, designed to deliver greater value.

In this guide, you can find out why.

Download your copy here: “Revealed: The value of financial planning” to discover how financial planning could help you achieve your long-term aspirations.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss how we could work together to build a financial plan, please contact us.

Please note: This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

We were so excited to add a new event to the Blue Wealth social calendar this year – and it was a huge success!

On Thursday 3 July, we hosted our first summer boat trip on The Matthew, in Bristol.

Keep reading to find out more.

A gentle float along the water aboard a historic ship

A group of 40 clients and members of the Blue Wealth team met late afternoon at Princes Wharf on Thursday 3 July.

After an enjoyable 5 or 10 minutes catching up with familiar faces and meeting new ones, we boarded The Matthew, Bristol’s historic floating harbour, for a relaxing one-hour boat trip.

Great weather, delicious food, and exceptional company

We planned this event to show our appreciation to loyal clients, so we’re delighted that it was such a fantastic evening.

The weather was excellent – never a given during a British summer! – and everyone enjoyed soaking up a few rays under glorious blue skies as we coasted along the water.

We were particularly impressed by the knowledgeable, friendly crew and it was fascinating learning about The Matthew, which is run as a charity. All the money it raises is used to maintain the ship in peak condition for trips and educational visits.

After docking, we sat and chatted while eating some excellent food from The Jolly Hog.

It was a fantastic event, and we were thrilled to receive positive feedback from both staff and clients.

One of our guests said, “Thank you for treating us to such a delightful evening on board The Matthew. It was a very pleasant experience. The food from The Jolly Hog was delicious too!”

Keep your eye on team updates for news of future events. If you have any feedback on our summer boat trip or would like to share ideas for future socials, we’d love to hear from you.

Get in touch

To learn more about the Blue Wealth team and how we can help you with all your financial planning needs, please get in touch.

Please email hello@bluewealth.co.uk or call us on 0117 332 0230.

Please note

The content of this newsletter is offered only for general informational and educational purposes. It is not offered as, and does not constitute, financial advice.

Pensions are a crucial part of retirement planning. Even if you have multiple sources of income to support you and your loved ones when you leave work behind, pensions offer a valuable, tax-efficient way to save.

Yet, a recent survey by Aviva has revealed a critical “knowledge gap” about UK pensions. While 53% of respondents claimed to be knowledgeable about pensions, 20% did not know what type of scheme they were signed up to and 57% were unaware that the government pays tax relief on pension contributions.

With the Pension Awareness campaign running from 15 to 17 September, it’s the ideal time to take control of your retirement savings.

Read on to discover four important facts that could boost your understanding of pensions and help you build financial security for later life.

1. How much State Pension you’ll receive depends on your National Insurance record

The State Pension provides a valuable source of income for many UK adults. If you’re entitled to the full new State Pension (for those who reach State Pension Age on or after 6 April 2016), you will receive £230.25 a week in 2025/26, which is equivalent to £11,973 annually.

Under the triple lock arrangement, the new State Pension will increase each year in line with whichever is higher of:

• Average earnings growth
• Inflation
• 2.5%.

However, the amount you’ll receive depends on your National Insurance (NI) record. You’ll typically need 10 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions (NICs) to receive any new State Pension and 35 qualifying years to receive the full amount.

The government website allows you to check your NI record online. If it looks like you may not have enough years of NICs to claim the full new State Pension, you may be able to pay voluntary contributions to fill any gaps in your record.

It’s important to note that you can only pay voluntary contributions for the past six tax years. For example, you have until 5 April 2032 to make up gaps for the 2025/26 tax year.

2. The State Pension is not paid automatically; you’ll need to claim it

You can claim your State Pension entitlement when you reach State Pension Age, which is currently 66 (2025/26), but will start to gradually increase from 6 May 2026.

The Pension Service should send you a letter around four months before you reach State Pension Age, explaining how to claim. You can do this in one of three ways:

• Online
• By phone
• By post.

You’ll be asked to provide certain information, such as your banking details and the date of your most recent marriage, civil partnership, or divorce. If you’re applying online, you’ll also need the invitation code from your letter.

If you’re still working or have other sources of income to draw on, you might choose to delay claiming your State Pension to increase the amount you receive. Your entitlement increases by the equivalent of 1% for every nine weeks you defer, as long as you defer for at least nine weeks.

3. Pension providers invest your money to help it grow over time

Research published by PensionsAge found that more than half of adults in the UK don’t know that their private and workplace pension funds are invested.

This is how pensions providers aim to increase the value of your savings over time. They’ll usually invest your money in a range of asset classes, such as bonds, cash, stocks, shares, and property.

If you have a defined contribution (DC) pension scheme, your retirement income will depend on how well these investments perform (in addition to how much you and your employer contribute).

Some pension schemes allow members to choose how their funds are invested. This could give you the flexibility to align your retirement savings strategy with your goals, values, and preferred retirement age. However, it’s wise to seek financial advice before changing how your pension funds are invested, to avoid costly mistakes.

Alternatively, you could leave your pension wealth in your provider’s default fund and entrust them to make investment decisions on your behalf. For example, they may automatically move your money into lower-risk investments as you approach retirement. While this “lifestyling” approach could protect the value of your pension wealth, it may not fit with you retirement plans.

A financial planner can help you weigh up the relative pros and cons of both approaches and create a pension strategy that works for you.

4. You can “carry forward” unused Annual Allowance for up to 3 tax years

When you pay into your workplace or private pension, you benefit from tax relief on contributions up to the Annual Allowance until you turn 75. For most people this is £60,000 in 2025/26 – your tax-efficient contributions are limited up to 100% of your earnings.

Your Annual Allowance may be lower if your income exceeds certain thresholds or you have already flexibly accessed your pension.

However, you can carry forward unused Annual Allowance from the previous three tax years. This may be especially useful, if you have surplus income or receive an unexpected windfall.

Let’s take a look at an example.

Assuming you have an Annual Allowance of £60,000 in 2025/26, you could carry forward your unused £40,000 allowance from the past three years and contribute up to £100,000 tax-efficiently this year.

As you can see, carry forward can be a valuable tax and retirement planning tool.

Get in touch

If you’d like help reviewing your pensions and taking control of your retirement savings, we can help.

Please email hello@bluewealth.co.uk or call us on 0117 332 0230.

Please note

The content of this newsletter is offered only for general informational and educational purposes. It is not offered as, and does not constitute, financial advice.

Blue Wealth Ltd is not responsible for the accuracy of the information contained within linked sites.

Blue Wealth Ltd is an appointed representative of Best Practice IFA Group Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Please do not act based on anything you might read in this article. All contents are based on our understanding of HMRC legislation, which is subject to change.

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate tax planning.

A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until 55 (57 from April 2028). The fund value may fluctuate and can go down, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates, and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.

Workplace pensions are regulated by The Pension Regulator.

Approved by Best Practice IFA Group: 04/08/2025