Since the lifetime allowance was abolished, a new limit governs how much tax-free cash you can take from your pensions. The Lump Sum Allowance is £268,275 in 2026/27. Here is what it covers, who it affects, and how it interacts with the standard 25% tax-free cash.
A bigger deposit unlocks a lower loan-to-value band and usually a cheaper mortgage rate. But saving longer for that extra 5 percent has a cost too. Here is how the trade-off looks for first-time buyers in 2026.
From April 2026, self-employed people and landlords with income over 50,000 pounds must send HMRC quarterly updates under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. Here is what a quarterly update is, what the deadlines are, and how the new rhythm differs from one annual return.
An offset mortgage links your savings to your loan so you pay interest only on the difference. A standard repayment mortgage is simpler and often cheaper on rate. Here is how the maths actually works in 2026 and who each option suits.
The Ofgem price cap does not cap your total bill. It caps unit rates and standing charges for a typical home. For Q2 2026 the cap works out at roughly £1,641 a year for a typical dual-fuel direct debit customer. Here is what that number really means and how to read it.
The pension annual allowance is normally £60,000 in 2026/27, but high earners see it tapered down. Once adjusted income passes £260,000, your allowance drops by £1 for every £2 over, to a floor of £10,000. Here is how the taper works and how to avoid an unexpected tax charge.
A pension top-up is one of the few moves that still cuts your 2026/27 tax bill if made before 5 April 2027. Basic-rate savers get 20% relief, higher-rate 40%, and those caught by the £100k taper or child benefit charge can see effective relief above 60%. Here is how to make the most of it.
You do not have to stop work and take your whole pension at once. Phased retirement lets you cut your hours, top up with pension income, and crystallise your pot in stages. Done well, it keeps you in lower tax bands and makes your savings last longer. Here is how it works in 2026/27.
Higher savings rates mean millions of UK savers now breach the Personal Savings Allowance for the first time. With £1,000 for basic-rate, £500 for higher-rate and nothing for additional-rate taxpayers, here is how to stay efficient in 2026/27.
Your pension income is taxed like a salary in retirement, but the rules differ in important ways. The State Pension uses up part of your personal allowance, the 25% tax-free cash is separate, and National Insurance stops once you reach State Pension Age. Here is how retirement income is taxed in 2026/27.
Salary sacrifice into a pension swaps part of your gross pay for an employer pension contribution. You save income tax and National Insurance, and your employer saves NI too. Many employers share that saving with you. Here is exactly how it works in 2026/27 and what to watch for.
If your salary nudges over £50,270 you enter the 40% higher-rate band, lose tax-free child benefit headroom and pay more on every extra pound. A pension salary sacrifice can pull your taxable pay back below the line. Here is exactly how the numbers work for 2026/27.
