AJ Bell Money & Markets

In this special episode of the Deep Dive podcast, Tom is joined by AJ Bell’s head of public policy Rachel Vahey and head of technical Charlene Young to answer listeners’ most pressing pension questions. They discuss why it can pay to start saving even when retirement feels distant, how tax relief works for higher earners, what inheritance tax changes could mean for SIPPs, and whether ISAs can offer extra flexibility. The episode also covers pension access age changes, state pension entitlement, pensions dashboards, retirement living standards and why age 75 matters for retirement planning. 

01:05 – Is it worth paying into a pension when retirement feels a long way off?

04:18 – Salary sacrifice and making pension contributions work harder

08:14 – SIPPs, ISAs and planning ahead for inheritance tax changes from 2027

12:33 – Taking tax-free cash gradually and using Stocks and Shares ISAs

15:14 – Pension access age: what happens if you take money at 55 before April 2028?

20:25 – Why 35 years of National Insurance does not always guarantee the full new state pension

27:50 – Pension tax relief for additional-rate taxpayers: what is automatic and what must be claimed?

33:14 – Pensions dashboards: what they are, when they might arrive and what savers could see

41:03 – Retirement living standards and how much people may need in later life

43:12 – Why age 75 matters for pensions and tax planning

48:01 – The pension questions Rachel and Charlene think more people should ask

Oil is back above $100 a barrel. What does that mean for inflation, interest rates, stock markets and your finances?

Danni Hewson and Dan Coatsworth discuss the market impact of rising oil prices and what central banks might do next. Commodities expert Adam Rozencwajg explains how Middle East tensions are affecting global oil supplies, where investment opportunities lie, and what the oil industry might do next.

Also in this episode: John Healey's first major speech as Chancellor, rising mortgage rates, falling house prices, job cuts at Jaguar Land Rover, saving for university costs, and a simple guide to valuing shares.

[02:40] Oil tops $100: what's next?
[07:12] Inflation and interest rates in focus
[15:03] Expert talks oil supply issues
[28:35] The UK government’s new growth pitch
[32:05] Job losses at big car companies
[37:51] UK government borrowing costs surge
[40:29] Housing market turns lower
[43:23] How the Bank of Mum and Dad are preparing for university bills
[50:45] Simple guide to valuing shares

In this episode of the AJ Bell Money and Markets podcast, Charlene Young and Tom Sieber return from the summer break to discuss why government bond yields are rising again and what that means for stock markets and investors.

Hannah Williford speaks to Rob Perrone from Orbis Investments for a deeper look at the recent bond market moves, while Tom examines Nvidia’s latest earnings, whether AI demand can keep justifying its valuation, BP’s new chair and Shein’s difficult Hong Kong stock market debut. Charlene looks at signs of weakness in the UK housing market, including house price and mortgage approvals data. She also explores record capital gains tax receipts and why some pension savers may not be getting all the tax relief they are owed.

In this episode of the AJ Bell Money and Markets podcast, Danni Hewson rounds up the week’s market news, including updates on Tesla and Alphabet, and Martin Gamble asks Russ Mould whether we should be worried that the AI bubble is set to follow the path of the dotcom boom and bust.

Charlene Young and Sarah Coles examine the growing political debate around social care reform and the options for paying for care. They discuss AJ Bell’s campaign for a Pensions Tax Lock to protect against the dangers of Budget speculation. They also delve into new data, including details of the gender tax gap, the latest twist in the dash for Cash ISAs, how holidays dominate our savings priorities, and an unexpected new shopping trend.

 

[00:00] Bank of England interest rates decision

[01:18] Intro

[02:42] Tesla results

[04:39] Alphabet Update

[07:14] Market jitters

[08:07] News on SK Hynix and CXMT

[09:15] Apple valuation

[12:36] World Cup boost for Unilever and Coca Cola

[18:01] Interview: the AI bubble vs the dotcom boom and bust

[41:51] Social care reform and planning for care costs

[46:27] Call for a Pension Tax Lock to protect against Budget speculation

[51:55] The narrowing of the gender tax gap

[56:58] Bank of England savings figures

[59:37] Holiday savings habits and financial priorities

[01:03:09] Feta fatigue and reverse comfort eating

On this week’s episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast, Danni Hewson and Dan Coatsworth assess how Andy Burnham’s first few days as UK Prime Minister have been received by markets.

They consider what the appointment of John Healey as Chancellor means for defence spending, and the row about how a VAT cut on domestic energy bills will be paid for.

There’s been some good news on inflation for the new government but it’s likely to be short lived, and there’s pressure to cut employers’ National Insurance for under 25s.

Rachel Vahey tackles the popular question: once you retire, do you dip into your ISA or pension first?

Danni and Dan discuss why is Primark cutting prices ahead of being spun out of its parent company.

James Flintoft, AJ Bell’s head of investment solutions, joins Dan to discuss the broader state of markets as the oil price climbs back above $90 dollars a barrel.

 

Timestamps:
Market reaction to Andy Burnham’s first few days as PM [02:16]
Will the new Chancellor prioritise defence spending? [08:26}
Lots of speculation about this year’s Budget [15:37]
The latest on inflation [19:24]
Rachel on dipping into an ISA or pension first [28:59]
Why Primark is slashing prices [45:35]
Takeovers galore [52:35]
James talks to Dan about markets, oil prices and more [55:50]