1. Home
  2. Technical Central
  3. Pensions guidance
  4. General articles and tools

General articles and tools

This section covers various pension-related topics including business structures, cohabiting couples’ rights, continuing professional development, pension age changes, parental leave, bankruptcy, benefits, scams, powers of attorney, stakeholder pensions, and financial planning tools.

Business structures and pensions

The way in which a business is set up affects the way it can pay pension contributions and the tax relief it can claim.

Co-habiting couples and their rights

In the UK, more and more couples are choosing cohabitation instead of marriage. In 2023 cohabiting couples accounted for 18% of families, meaning that approximately 7.2 million adults were living as part of a cohabiting couple1.

Understanding the issues that can impact cohabiting couples will ensure that, as an adviser, you can offer your clients that best outcomes.

1Unmarried co-habiting couples and their rights

Continuing professional development

CPD | Better off dead? The need for critical illness cover

In light of this startling webinar title, we look at the real need to consider critical illness (CI) cover and examine how to start this conversation with clients.

CPD | Hot topics - what issues are your clients facing today?

In this webinar we explore key pension and protection issues, including frozen tax bands, using pensions to mitigate tax and future Inheritance Tax (IHT) changes. We’ll also cover FCA market insights, the impact of IHT on protection advice, and how Rysaffe planning can reduce trust charges.

CPD | Facts and Opportunities

In this presentation we outline the different types of defined contribution workplace pensions available in the market, and reports what adviser, employers and importantly employees say is important in a workplace pension offering.

CPD | Identifying and supporting vulnerable customers

In this session, Shelley and Fiona will unpack the FCA’s definition of a vulnerable customer and show you how to spot and support them. They’ll explore this through both a protection and pensions lens and tackle the critical issue of economic abuse. Plus, what actions to take if you suspect a customer is affected.

CPD | It’s all about income protection

In this session we cover income protection and the important role it plays in helping clients maintain their lifestyle if they’re unable to work due to illness or injury.

CPD | Maximising workplace pensions benefits

In this webinar, we consider how to maximise workplace pensions benefits for scheme members, employers, and advisers.

CPD | McCloud remedy – adviser overview 

In 2015 many members of Public Service pension schemes were moved from their existing pension arrangement to a reformed Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) scheme.

CPD | McCloud remedy adviser taxation and corrections unfunded schemes 

Following on from the overview presentation of the McCloud remedy, this webinar delves into the detail of taxation corrections resulting from the implementation of the remedy.

CPD | Navigating IHT reforms

In this session we will explore ways of lessening IHT charges, as well as the use of protection plans to provide funds to pay IHT charges that do arise. A case study covering three generations to brings this to life. 

CPD | Planning for later life

From a protection advice perspective, this session will explore how to position and demonstrate value with whole of life policies, the important role of trusts, wills and LPAs as well as a look at the main ways clients can unlock equity from their properties.

From a pension perspective we consider ways to bolster retirement income, legislative changes that could impact this and how pension death benefits operate. We also explore the benefits of moving ISA money into pensions.

CPD | Putting protection on the wealth agenda

In this webinar we discuss the importance of protection in holistic financial planning. It outlines the main protection risks faced by customers and explains how protection solutions can support clients in safeguarding their financial resilience.

CPD | Retirement income advice review

This webinar covers the FCA’s Retirement income advice thematic review – TR24/1. We explore aspects of retirement income advice such as income withdrawal strategies, risk profiling, advice suitability and the use of cashflow modelling tools.

CPD | The Meaning of Value

In this session we discuss the perception of value among clients and whether those paying for advice believe they are getting good value for money. They’ll also touch on what matters most to your clients when making decisions on their finances and who they choose to manage them.

CPD | Turning Consumer Duty into business value

In this webinar we cover ongoing reviews, recapped the broader regulatory context of the FCA, and provided insights on the link to Consumer Duty, retirement planning, and enterprise risk management. The session closed with thoughts on how regulatory compliance could enhance commercial value.

CPD | Understanding the 2025 Autumn Budget: the economic, market and policy implications

Our experts from Royal London and Royal London Asset Management explore the economic outlook amid a £20 billion fiscal gap, covering market reaction, economic impact, inflation and interest rates, key policy changes, and what it all means for advisers and clients.

Increase in normal minimum pension age in 2028

The normal minimum pension age is increasing for most individuals on 6 April 2028 to age 57. This change affects people born after 6 April 1971. In this article we explain the changes and the protections available to some individuals. 

Parental leave and pensions

We are often asked how parental leave impacts workplace pension schemes in terms of funding in general, auto enrolment and salary exchange. This article explains each of these.

Bankruptcy and pensions

This article explores how bankruptcy can affect pensions.

Pensions and means tested benefits

This article looks at how holding or taking benefits from pension plans may affect an individual's means tested benefits.

Pensions and means tested benefits

 

Power of attorney

Powers of attorney are a valuable tool that helps vulnerable people have their affairs managed before or when they have lost mental capacity.

The following guides help people who work in regulated markets learn about:

  • Lasting powers of attorney (LPAs)
  • Enduring powers of attorney (EPAs)
  • Deputy court orders

There are different laws and processes in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

England and Wales

The following guide only covers powers of attorney registered in England and Wales and court orders issued in England and Wales.

Scotland

For information about powers of attorney in Scotland

Northern Ireland

For information about powers of attorney in Northern Ireland.

Stakeholder pensions

This analysis looks at some of the more technical requirements that apply to stakeholder pensions.

Tools and support

Our specialist tools help you deliver cost-effective services and cut through the complexities of compliance. 

Ask a question

Ask any specific questions you might have about the world of pensions or protection to our technical experts.

Get support