Deep Dive #3: How to make the most of the pension freedoms
It’s ten years since George Osborne introduced his landmark private pension reforms, known as the ‘pension freedoms’. In this AJ Bell Money and Markets Deep Dive, we explore whether the pension freedoms have been a success and how you can make the most of them with your pension.
(05:26) Tom Selby and Rachel Vahey from AJ Bell will be joining Laith Khalaf to discuss what the pension freedoms were, and how people have been using them over the last decade. We’ll also be running through the tax treatment of pension withdrawals and the chancellor’s plans to levy inheritance tax on pensions.
(23:55) One of the architects of the pension freedoms, Sir Steve Webb, the Pension Minister in the coalition government of 2010 to 2015, talks to Laith about why the reforms took place and whether they’ve been a success.
(45:20) The team talk through the differences between drawdown and annuity and ask what a sustainable income is. We also discuss investment strategies in retirement, and ask whether annuities might be due a comeback. Finally we run through the resources that can help you decide how to take your retirement income.
--------
1:07:46
Everything investors need to know about the global market sell-off
It’s been an eventful week and this episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast explores the key reasons behind the global market sell-off and what might happen next. Dan Coatsworth explains why shares slumped and he reveals the total value destroyed on global stock markets and the winners and losers on the FTSE 100. Laith Khalaf reveals why bond markets were showing unusual behaviour and the pair chat about why some companies like Games Workshop and Diageo might not be as badly affected as investors think. [02:50]
Dan talks to Morningstar equity strategist Michael Field about what Liberation Day means for European stocks and shares which had a great run in the first quarter of the year. [26:23]
If you’ve been spooked by the market sell-off and are worried about your investments, Dan and Laith offer some reassurance and explain why there is no reason to panic. [35:45]
Laith has some interesting statistics on why it can pay to use your ISA allowance at the start of a tax year rather than at the end. [42:30]. Dan finds some interesting trend with AJ Bell customer behaviour during the market sell-off. [46:59].
Finally, Jonathan Maxwell from SDCL Energy Efficiency Income Trust is on the podcast to talk about the Trump administration rolling back green policies and whether that creates a headwind for renewable energy investors. [54:55].
--------
1:08:24
Investment Trust Show: investing in financials, mining and smaller companies, and how and why trusts borrow money
Ever wondered exactly who invests in investment trusts? The AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast has the answer on this week’s episode. [01:13]
Dan Coatsworth talks to Nick Brind from Polar Capital Global Financials Trust about the rally in banking shares, what Donald Trump’s return to the White House means for US banks, and where he is finding opportunities in the current market. [07:26]
Tom Sieber and Martin Gamble conduct a deep dive of BlackRock World Mining Trust. [17:59]
Emma Bird from Winterflood explains the world of gearing, what the term means and how it can be a help or hindrance to investment trust performance. [29:50]
Finally, Laith Khalaf talks to Indri Van Hien, co-manager of Henderson Smaller Companies Trust, about the impact of Budget changes on UK businesses and why small caps continue to lag bigger companies. [44:00]
--------
57:20
Tariffs unsettle markets and tax year end tips
On this episode of the AJ Bell Money and Markets podcast Danni Hewson and Charlene Young discuss what has been a volatile first quarter for markets [1:55] as companies and investors try to navigate Donald Trump’s tariffs. The pair discuss which sectors have borne the brunt so far and how the UK could be impacted. With Awful April [13:20] in full spring Charlene runs through the bills that have jumped up and considers what that might do for inflation and interest rates. Danni picks through some eye-catching market news with [17:18] Conservative US TV network Newsmax jumping more than 2,000% after its IPO and a potential bid for UK’s Alphawave as Qualcomm looks to boost its AI chops and with US markets under pressure and investors looking for ways to diversify, we hear from Emily Fletcher, portfolio manager of Black Rock Frontiers Investment Trust [22:34].
Tax year end is upon us [40:40] and Charlene talks through new allowances, using pension contributions to pare down your tax bill and popular options like Bed and ISA which help you bring existing investments into tax wrappers. Plus, news from HMRC that the interest rate charged on late tax payments is going up. And with investors warming to bonds again after a patchy period where they didn’t comfort portfolios as expected, Dan Coatsworth talks to Ryan Myerberg from the Brown Advisory Global Sustainable Total Return Bond Fund about all things fixed income. [50:40]
--------
1:02:59
Spring Statement special: What Rachel Reeves’ economic plans mean for your money
This week’s AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast takes a closer look at the key items from Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her Spring Statement.
There were big changes to economic and inflation forecasts by the Office for Budget Responsibility. However, the Chancellor insisted her longer-term plans were still intact – namely, to bring public finances under control and drive growth in the economy.
Laura Suter, Charlene Young and Dan Coatsworth analyse the major announcements in the Spring Statement and how they will impact your money. They also chat about key areas that were missing from the Spring Statement and whether they might be coming later on – or not at all, given what the Chancellor has just announced.
The team talk savings, investments, pensions, ISAs, mortgages and how markets reacted to the news.
UK