Multi-calculator journeys for the biggest financial moments in life. Each hub combines a step-by-step process, relevant calculators, pillar guides and quick FAQ — all in one place.
What does stamp duty cost when buying my first home?
First-time buyers in England pay 0% Stamp Duty Land Tax on the first £425,000 of a property's purchase price and 5% on the portion between £425,000 and £625,000. Above £625,000, first-time buyer relief disappears and standard rates apply. In Scotland, first-time buyers pay 0% Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) on the first £175,000. In Wales, Land Transaction Tax (LTT) gives no first-time buyer relief. Use the CalcHub stamp duty calculator for a precise figure for your purchase price and region.
How much statutory maternity pay will I receive?
Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) for 2026/27 is paid for up to 39 weeks. The first 6 weeks are paid at 90% of your average weekly earnings (no cap). The remaining 33 weeks are paid at the lower of 90% of your average weekly earnings or the statutory flat rate of £184.03 per week. To qualify for SMP, you must have been employed by the same employer for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before your due date and earn at least £125 per week (the Lower Earnings Limit). Your employer pays SMP and reclaims 92% (or 103% for small employers) from HMRC.
What is redundancy pay and how much am I entitled to?
If you have worked for your employer for at least 2 years, you are entitled to Statutory Redundancy Pay (SRP). The amount depends on your age, weekly pay and length of service: 0.5 weeks' pay per year of service under age 22, 1 week's pay per year aged 22–40, and 1.5 weeks' pay per year aged 41+. Weekly pay is capped at £751 for 2026/27 and you can count up to 20 years of service, giving a maximum SRP of £22,530. The first £30,000 of your redundancy payment (statutory plus any enhanced payment) is tax-free. Notice pay is taxable as income.
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How do I get my National Insurance number when I start work in the UK?
If you are a UK citizen or have the right to work in the UK, you can apply for a National Insurance number online at gov.uk. You will need to verify your identity. The NI number is usually needed before your employer can set up your PAYE correctly, though you can start work and give your NI number to your employer when you receive it. Your employer can begin paying you and deducting tax on an emergency basis while you wait. Your NI number is permanent and unique to you — you will use it throughout your working life and into retirement.
What is pension auto-enrolment and can I opt out?
Auto-enrolment requires employers to automatically enrol eligible workers (aged 22–State Pension age, earning over £10,000 per year) into a workplace pension. The minimum contribution in 2026/27 is 8% of qualifying earnings (between £6,240 and £50,270), split as at least 3% from your employer and 5% from you (including tax relief). You can opt out within one month and receive a full refund of contributions, but you lose the employer contribution. Your employer must re-enrol you every 3 years if you remain eligible. Auto-enrolment is one of the most valuable financial decisions — the employer contribution is essentially free money.
What is the State Pension age and how do I check my forecast?
The State Pension age is currently 66 for both men and women. It is scheduled to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028, and legislation proposes a further rise to 68 between 2044 and 2046. Check your personal State Pension age and forecast at gov.uk/check-state-pension (you need a Government Gateway account). The full new State Pension for 2026/27 is £230.25 per week (£11,973 per year), requiring 35 qualifying NI years. You can see your NI record, any gaps, and whether paying voluntary Class 3 NI contributions (£17.45/week in 2026/27) to fill gaps would be cost-effective.
What happens to my pension when I change jobs?
Your pension pot from your old employer remains invested in that scheme until you transfer it or take benefits at retirement. You have several options: leave it where it is (many people have multiple small pots from different jobs), transfer it to your new employer's scheme (check for any transfer-out charges and whether your new scheme accepts transfers), or transfer it to a personal pension (SIPP). The QROPS rules apply if you are moving abroad. Before transferring any defined benefit (final salary) pension worth more than £30,000, you are legally required to take regulated financial advice — these pensions have valuable guarantees that may be lost on transfer.
What are the costs of buying and selling a house in the UK?
Buying: Stamp duty (0–15% depending on price and buyer type), mortgage arrangement fee (£0–£2,000), survey (£400–£1,500 for a building survey), solicitor/conveyancing fees (£800–£2,500), and Land Registry fee (£20–£910). Selling: Estate agent fees (0.5–3% plus VAT for a traditional agent, or £1,000–£3,000 for an online agent), solicitor/conveyancing fees (£750–£1,500), and any mortgage Early Repayment Charge if you are in a fixed-rate period. Moving costs (van hire or removal company) vary widely: £300–£2,000 for a local move, more for long distances. Total transaction costs for a typical move are £5,000–£15,000.
What is Marriage Allowance and who can claim it?
Marriage Allowance lets the lower-earning partner in a marriage or civil partnership transfer £1,260 of their unused Personal Allowance to their partner, saving the higher earner up to £252 in income tax per year (£1,260 × 20%). To qualify, the transferring partner must not pay income tax (earning below £12,570) and the receiving partner must be a basic-rate taxpayer (earning between £12,571 and £50,270 in 2026/27). Higher-rate or additional-rate taxpayers cannot receive Marriage Allowance. You can backdate a Marriage Allowance claim by up to 4 years, potentially receiving up to £1,008 as a refund.
What financial steps should I take when someone dies?
Immediate steps: register the death (within 5 days in England/Wales), use the Tell Us Once service to notify government departments in a single step, and obtain the death certificate (you'll need several copies for banks and institutions). Then: notify banks, pension providers, HMRC, DWP and the local council. If the estate needs probate (generally required for estates over £5,000 with assets not held jointly), apply via gov.uk or a solicitor. Inheritance Tax (IHT) must be calculated and paid within 6 months, even if probate takes longer. The nil-rate band is £325,000 (plus £175,000 Residence NRB for a main home passed to direct descendants) — estates below this pay no IHT.
