Joanne Smyth Financial Consultancy

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WeekWatch - 29/06/2026 WeekWatch - 29/06/2026

Inheritance tax planning isn’t just about writing a will or making a gift. It requires a holistic view of your estate, any business or farming interests, plus intergenerational aspirations.

With the upcoming changes to pensions and agricultural/business reliefs, it’s an ideal time to speak to a financial adviser. An adviser can explain the reforms, help you avoid any inheritance tax traps, and put plans in place so you leave more of your money to your family, and less to HMRC.

How to avoid inheritance tax traps How to avoid inheritance tax traps

Now the dust has settled on the Autumn Budget, there were plenty of changes buried in the small print that didn't get much attention but could still affect people in a number of ways. We look at some of the smaller but relevant announcements that could impact your personal finances.

Autumn Budget: Sweeping up the Budget announcements Autumn Budget: Sweeping up the Budget announcements

Financial advice will help you create a fair, sustainable legacy plan to help keep your money where it belongs. In the family.

You can also use our IHT calculator to give you an estimate of what how much your estate is likely to pay on current values.

Protect your estate: strategies to reduce inheritance tax Protect your estate: strategies to reduce inheritance tax

We believe financial planning and advice is a family affair.

This financial to-do list covers the ten steps you can take right now to begin planning for and protecting your family and its assets.

Your family financial to-do list for 2025 Your family financial to-do list for 2025

Consider a personal pension if:

You’re self-employed.
You run your own business.
You’re unlikely to have any other pension apart from your State Pension.
You’re not working or you’re taking time out to bring up children or care for relatives.
The type of work you do means that your income fluctuates.

All personal pensions are eligible for tax relief, which means that any eligible money you contribute automatically gets a 20% cash boost from the government – more if you’re a higher or additional rate taxpayer.

Why set up a personal pension if you’re self-employed Why set up a personal pension if you’re self-employed

Do you know when you want to retire?

How you can maximise your pension contribution How you can maximise your pension contribution

It's never too late....

Is it too late to start saving for retirement at 60? Is it too late to start saving for retirement at 60?