Financial Illumination

Inheritance Tax can be one of the biggest financial considerations when planning for the future. But how does Inheritance Tax actually work, how much could you have to pay, and what can you do to reduce your potential liability?

In this episode of Financial Illumination, Alan Pereira and Harvey Armstrong explain Inheritance Tax in simple terms, including how estates are valued, the nil rate band, residence nil rate band, spousal exemptions and the 7-year gifting rule.

They also explore Inheritance Tax planning strategies including gifting, life insurance, trusts and Business Relief, before working through a real-life-style case study to show how an Inheritance Tax bill can be calculated.

The episode also looks at the upcoming April 2027 changes to pensions and Inheritance Tax, and why this could have a significant impact on retirement and estate planning.

In this episode:

Please note that the content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. As always, your capital is at risk when investing.

Lumin is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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Powered by Lumin Wealth:

https://luminwealth.co.uk/

#ISA #CashISA #Investing #FinancialPlanning #CapitalGainsTax #StocksAndSharesISA #RetirementPlanning #LuminWealth #FinancialIllumination

Having investments and pensions is one thing but do you have a clear financial plan for what they’re actually going to achieve?

In this episode of Financial Illumination, Jack Dudley and James Corcoran from Lumin Wealth explore the importance of having a structured financial plan, rather than simply letting investments and pensions build up in the background.

The episode covers:

Whether you’re approaching retirement, building your wealth or simply wondering whether your current investments are working towards your long-term goals, this episode offers useful insights into creating a more intentional financial plan.

Please note that the content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. As always, your capital is at risk when investing.

Lumin is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Like and subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss any future episodes!

Powered by Lumin Wealth:

https://luminwealth.co.uk/

#ISA #CashISA #Investing #FinancialPlanning #CapitalGainsTax #StocksAndSharesISA #RetirementPlanning #LuminWealth #FinancialIllumination

How much money do you really need to retire? Is there a magic retirement number, or does it depend on your lifestyle, spending and financial circumstances?

In this episode of the Financial Illumination podcast, brought to you by Lumin Wealth, Harvey Armstrong and Alan Pereira explore how to work out how much you need for retirement and how to build a sustainable retirement plan.

They discuss retirement planning, pension savings, the State Pension, inflation, budgeting, Defined Benefit pensions, ISAs, cash savings and investment income, as well as how to plan for the years between retiring and receiving the State Pension.

The conversation covers how to:

- Work out your expected spending in retirement

- Separate essential, discretionary and one-off expenses

- Understand how inflation could affect your retirement income

- Combine pensions and other assets to fund your lifestyle

- Plan for early or partial retirement

- Use cash flow forecasting to visualise your long-term financial plan

- Consider downsizing and future property equity

- Make the most of different income sources and tax allowances

The key message? Retirement isn't a magic number or a specific age. It's about having enough assets and income to support the lifestyle you want for the rest of your life.

Please note that the content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. As always, your capital is at risk when investing.

Lumin is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Like and subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss any future episodes!

Powered by Lumin Wealth:

https://luminwealth.co.uk/

#ISA #CashISA #Investing #FinancialPlanning #CapitalGainsTax #StocksAndSharesISA #RetirementPlanning #LuminWealth #FinancialIllumination

What do the upcoming ISA changes mean for your savings and investments? And what should you be thinking about before April 2027?

In this episode of Financial Illumination, James Corcoran is joined by Jack Dudley from Lumin Wealth to break down the latest changes affecting Cash ISAs, Stocks & Shares ISAs and General Investment Accounts, and what they could mean for your long-term financial planning.

The conversation explores the proposed reduction in the Cash ISA allowance from £20,000 to £12,000 for under-65s from April 2027, the taxation of interest earned on cash funds held within investment ISAs, and why more people may need to think carefully about how they structure their savings and investments.

James and Jack also discuss:

• Cash ISAs vs Stocks & Shares ISAs

Whether you're approaching retirement, building your long-term investments, or simply trying to understand how the latest UK ISA and tax changes could affect you, this episode offers an accessible overview of the key issues to consider.

Please note that the content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. As always, your capital is at risk when investing.

Lumin is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Like and subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss any future episodes! 

Powered by Lumin Wealth

https://luminwealth.co.uk/

#ISA #CashISA #Investing #FinancialPlanning #CapitalGainsTax #StocksAndSharesISA #RetirementPlanning #LuminWealth #FinancialIllumination

Investing isn’t just about picking the right investments, it’s about avoiding the costly mistakes that can quietly erode your returns.

In this episode of Financial Illumination, Senior Financial Consultant, Sara Moore is joined by Financial Consultant, Kris Fisher, to explore some of the most common investment mistakes – from trying to time the market and making emotional decisions, to following social media trends without doing your own research. They discuss why diversification matters, how fees can eat into long-term returns, and why sometimes the best strategy during market volatility is to simply do nothing at all.

Please note that the content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. As always, your capital is at risk when investing.

Lumin is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

What if a Whole-of-Life insurance and annuity could help fund an Inheritance Tax (IHT) bill? As more families become affected by IHT – and with pensions set to form part of your estate for IHT purposes from April 2027 – planning ahead has never been more important. In this episode, hosts Harvey Armstrong and Alan Pereira explore how Whole-of-Life insurance and annuity strategies can help provide funds to meet an IHT bill, protecting more of your wealth for future generations. They also discuss why cash flow planning is essential and whether the insurance strategy is right for you.

Please note that the content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. As always, your capital is at risk when investing.

Lumin is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Pension death benefits are one of the most valuable, and least understood, aspects of financial planning. With around 35% of UK wealth held in pensions, they play a major role in how wealth is passed between generations, yet many people are unaware that pension benefits often sit outside of their Will.

In this episode, Financial Consultant, Israel Babatunde, explains what pension death benefits are, dispels some of the most common misconceptions, and discusses why beneficiary nomination forms are just as important as having an up-to-date Will. He also explores how Defined Contribution pensions are structured, the role of pension trustees, when you should review your nominations, and the tax considerations surrounding inherited pensions, including the upcoming Inheritance Tax (IHT) changes from April 2027.

Please note that the content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. As always, your capital is at risk when investing.

Lumin is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Equity release is becoming an increasingly important part of later-life financial planning, particularly as rising property wealth and upcoming inheritance tax changes prompt more people to consider how best to use the value tied up in their homes. However, it's a financial planning topic that is often misunderstood. In this episode of ‘Financial Illumination’, Financial Consultant and Equity Release expert, Sara Moore is joined by Financial Consultant, Kris Fisher, to unpack what equity release is, how it works, and whether it could be the right option for you or your family.

They explore the two main types of equity release, along with the repayment options, flexibility, risks, and borrowing limits of modern products. Sara also discusses how equity release can support estate and Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning, including gifting to children in light of upcoming Inheritance Tax (IHT) changes, and explains why seeking regulated financial advice is essential before making any decisions.

Please note that the content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. As always, your capital is at risk when investing.

Lumin is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

More people than ever are holding large amounts of cash, often without realising that inflation and taxes can steadily erode its value over time. In this episode, Harvey Armstrong and Alan Pereira explore the hidden costs of keeping too much money in cash and explain why investing can be a powerful tool for building and preserving long-term wealth.

They discuss the key differences between cash and investments, how inflation impacts purchasing power, and the potential benefits of putting your money to work in the markets. Whether you're a cautious saver or looking to make your money work harder, this episode provides practical insights to help you make more informed financial decisions.

Please note that the content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. As always, your capital is at risk when investing.

Lumin is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

They also cover the emotional side of handing over wealth, the potential risks and pitfalls, and the key considerations when deciding whether gifting is the right move for you and your family.

Please note that the content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. As always, your capital is at risk when investing.

Lumin is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.