The latest from Ruth
What To Know About Defined Contribution Pension Schemes Before You Retire
A defined contribution pension can be a private pension or a workplace pension and is a way to save for retirement that can combine your contributions, employer contributions, investment returns…
Are you paying too much for your pension? Learn how to minimise the fees
Pension providers charge for their services with pension charges and fees. Pension charges can include annual management charges, platform fees, underlying fund fees, inactivity fees and exit charges. While they…
What is a Standard Variable Rate Mortgage?
A standard variable rate, or SVR, is an interest rate set by your mortgage lender that you may be moved onto once your fixed, tracker or discount rate mortgage deal…
What is a Tracker Mortgage?
A tracker mortgage is where the interest rate you pay tracks another rate. Usually this will be the Bank of England base rate, though the rate you pay on a…
How Capital Repayment Mortgages Work
A capital repayment mortgage lets you pay back some of the capital you borrowed along with the interest you’re charged each month.
Retirement Interest Only Mortgages: How RIO Mortgages Work
A retirement interest-only mortgage (RIO) is a type of home loan available to borrowers over 55. With a RIO, you repay interest monthly. Capital does not have to be repaid…
Cashing in a Pension: Your Options at Retirement Explained
Cashing in a pension usually only becomes possible at age 55. At this point some or all of your pension funds can be used to buy an annuity, set up…
The Pension Tax-Free Lump Sum Explained
Pension tax-free lump sum is the name given to the amount of your pension pot that you can withdraw when you access your pension without needing to pay income tax.…
Pension Annuity: Retire with a Guaranteed Income
Buying a pension annuity with some or all of your pension pot means you can rely on a certain level of retirement income. There are different types of annuity that…
Pension Drawdown: How to Take a Flexible Retirement Income
Using pension drawdown to access the money in your pension can provide you with a flexible retirement income. Your pension funds can stay invested to hopefully grow further after you…
What is a Current Account?
A current account is a type of bank account to help you manage your everyday money and expenses. This can include things like bills, wages, standing orders and direct debits.…
What is Money Claim Online?
Money Claim Online is one of the ways you can make a claim for any money you are owed, up to £100,000, and it can often be a cheaper and…
What is a Building Society?
Building societies are mutual organisations, which means they are owned by their customers. They offer current and savings accounts and mortgages so they can be an alternative option to a…
What is the Financial Ombudsman Service?
The Financial Ombudsman Service, also known as the FOS, is an independent organisation that can help you resolve any disputes you may have with a financial company, after unsuccessfully trying…
What is the Financial Conduct Authority?
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is an independent public body that regulates the financial services and markets in the UK. It aims to protect consumers, maintain the integrity of the…