Mehak Bambrah- Financial Planner

22/10/2026

Your 40s and 50s could be some of the most important years for your financial future.

For many women, these are the years when careers progress, salaries increase and retirement starts to feel a little closer.

But they're also years when financial demands can be particularly high.

You may still be supporting children, paying a mortgage or helping ageing parents, while trying to put enough aside for your own future.

If your income has increased over recent years, it's worth considering whether your financial plans have kept pace.

Could you increase your pension contributions? Are you making use of the tax allowances available to you? Do your savings and investments reflect your longer-term ambitions? And have you thought about when you'd ideally like to retire?

You may have spent years working hard to build your career and support the people around you.

Make sure those successful years are also helping to build the future you want for yourself.

19/10/2026

Would you know where everything was if you suddenly had to manage the family finances alone?

In many households, one partner takes the lead on managing pensions, investments, insurance and long-term financial decisions.

It's an arrangement that may work perfectly well for years. But what happens when that person is no longer there?

Losing a spouse or partner is an incredibly difficult experience, and having to make unfamiliar financial decisions while grieving can add an enormous burden.

That's why we encourage both partners to be involved in financial planning, even if one naturally takes more interest in the detail.

Knowing where important documents are kept, understanding your household income and being familiar with your financial arrangements can make a meaningful difference when circumstances change.

It's also worth reviewing whether Wills, beneficiary nominations and Powers of Attorney are up to date.

Financial confidence is something every woman deserves, whatever the future holds.

16/10/2026

🖤 Black History Month | Every woman deserves financial independence.

Financial independence can be influenced by many factors, from earnings and career opportunities to caring responsibilities and access to financial support.

For Black women, gender and racial inequalities can create additional challenges when it comes to accumulating wealth.

The ONS's analysis of individual wealth between 2018 and 2020 found that women held less wealth than men, even after accounting for a range of other characteristics. The research also identified wealth disadvantages affecting several ethnic minority groups.

These inequalities matter because financial independence influences choices throughout life, from career decisions and homeownership to retirement and family security.

This Black History Month, we're celebrating the achievements of Black women while recognising the importance of creating a financial services industry that understands and responds to different lived experiences.

Every woman deserves to feel informed, represented and confident about her financial future.

13/10/2026

WEEK WATCH: Rising mortgage rates weigh on property demand

Rising mortgage rates are continuing to put downward pressure on housing demand, slowing market activity and price growth.

Several lenders have reported softer levels of activity in recent months, blaming higher borrowing costs and ongoing economic uncertainty.

Expectations of further interest rate rises have also dampened confidence for house buyers and movers. Recent Bank of England data shows net mortgage approvals for house purchases fell to 54,900 in August, the lowest level since December 2023.*

Mortgage brokers are reminding borrowers that they can often secure a new mortgage deal up to six months before their fixed rate period ends. Locking in a rate early may provide protection if borrowing costs rise further, while many lenders still allow borrowers to switch to a cheaper deal if rates fall before completion.

*Source: Bank of England, Money and Credit, August 2026 – September 2026

Read Week Watch here:

WeekWatch - 12/10/2026

09/10/2026

With the full new State Pension projected to rise to around £250.70 per week from April 2027, the headlines may sound encouraging.

But there's an important distinction between the advertised full rate and the amount you'll personally be entitled to receive.

For women who have taken career breaks, worked part-time or spent time caring for children or family members, it's particularly important to check their National Insurance record.

Some periods of caring may qualify for National Insurance credits, while other gaps could affect State Pension entitlement.
Understanding your position early gives you time to investigate missing years, check whether you're entitled to credits and consider whether voluntary contributions could be worthwhile.

Your State Pension forecast is worth checking, whatever stage of your career you're at.
You can check yours at GOV.UK.

06/10/2026

WEEK WATCH: Last month's highlights
• Oil prices jumped at the start of September and stayed high for the rest of the month. A barrel of Brent Crude oil finished the month above $100.
• Government bonds came under sustained pressure, with many long-term bond yields reaching multi-decade highs.
• Higher borrowing costs are causing headaches for central banks and governments alike. The Federal Reserve in the US and European Central Bank both increased interest rates, while the Bank of England kept rates level for now.

Read more here:
https://partnership.sjp.co.uk/article/detail/sjpp/weekwatch-05-10-2026

WeekWatch - 05/10/2026

02/10/2026

Pensions, property and public finances: the Budget picture so far

With the Autumn Budget approaching, here are the main points:

• Pensions and care
The government has pledged to replace the State Pension triple lock with a double lock from 2030. Annual increases would reflect inflation or 2.5%, with earnings growth removed. The change would help fund proposed free social care services in England.

• Property
The proposed ‘Your First Home’ scheme would offer eligible first-time buyers 20% government-backed equity loans, with a minimum 5% deposit.

• Public finances
Higher borrowing costs and inflation are narrowing the Chancellor’s options. Tax rises remain possible, although individual Budget measures are still uncertain.

• Growth
The OECD has revised its UK growth forecast for 2026 upwards to 1.1%.

The practical message? Keep informed and avoid changing your financial plans solely in response to rumours.

👉 Learn more here: https://partnership.sjp.co.uk/article/detail/sjpp/autumn-budget-2026-with-a-month-to-go-what-lies-ahead

Autumn Budget 2026 – with a month to go, what lies ahead?

30/09/2026

Family plans often depend on life continuing as expected: mortgage payments being met, children being supported and long-term goals remaining within reach.

An illness, accident or death can change that picture very quickly.

Protection planning means considering the financial impact of difficult events before they happen. This could include reviewing existing cover, identifying possible gaps and thinking carefully about the people and commitments that would need support.

It may not be the easiest part of financial planning to discuss, but it can be one of the most important for the people you love.

28/09/2026

ISA subscriptions soar in 2024/25 tax year 📈

Subscriptions into tax-efficient individual savings accounts (ISAs) reached record high levels in the 2024/25 tax year, according to HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC) latest figures.

HMRC said the growth was largely driven by an increase in stocks and shares ISA subscriptions.

There were subscriptions into 16.8 million adult ISAs in 2024/25, compared to 15 million in the previous tax year. Of these accounts, 10.71 million were cash ISAs (up from 9.94 million in 2023/24), 4.89 million were stocks and shares ISAs (up from 4.09 million in 2023/24), and 1.14 million were lifetime ISAs (up from 960,000 in 2023/24). A small number were innovative finance ISAs.

More than £135 billion was saved or invested in adult ISAs in the 2024/25 tax year, an increase of £32.7 billion compared to 2023/24.

This includes £95.6 billion in cash ISAs and £37.2 billion in stocks and shares ISAs.

Sources: HMRC, Annual savings statistics – September 2026

24/09/2026

What do you want retirement to look like? ☀️
More time with family? The freedom to travel? A change of pace, a new project or simply greater control over your days?

Retirement planning becomes far more meaningful when it starts with the life you want, rather than looking at a pension figure in isolation.

Once that picture is clearer, you can begin to explore what level of income may be needed, how different assets could work together and whether your current plans remain on course.

The first question may not be, “How much have I saved?”

Sometimes, it is, “What am I saving for?”