How to create the retirement lifestyle you imagine

How much money will you need to make your retirement dreams a reality? The short answer is: more than you might think.

One reason why is that we’re living longer, which is great news. But it means a career of 35-40 years has got to pay for a retirement that could well last nearly as long. The numbers don’t add up for most people, unless we get used to the idea that we need to start saving earlier, and start saving more.

Dependent on where you are on life’s journey, retirement can feel lik...

It’s ok to live for today, but don’t risk your future financial security.

Do you remember Aesop’s Fable number 87?  It’s the one about a lucky farmer who owned a goose that laid a glittering golden egg every day.

Sadly, this wasn’t enough for the impatient farmer. He had a dubious ‘get rich quick’ idea to collect all the golden eggs at once by killing the goose and cutting it open. But there was no gold inside and the farmer had destroyed his source of future wealth.

So, what’s the moral of the tale, and what has it got to do with persona...

Every four years, the World Cup reminds us how quickly fortunes can change. One moment a team is flying high, the next a single injury or unexpected setback can alter everything.

Financially, life works in a similar way.

Many people focus on building their future - buying a home, supporting a family or creating financial stability. But few stop to consider what would happen if illness or injury suddenly prevented them from working.

This World Cup summer is a timely reminder that protecting your finances is just as important as building th...

Life doesn’t stand still and neither should your financial protection.

From getting married to buying a home, growing your family or progressing in your career, life is full of milestones. Each one brings new responsibilities, and often, a greater need for financial protection.

Does what you have in place now still reflect your life today? 

Why reviewing your protection matters

Many people set up protection when they first take out a mortgage or start a family and then don’t revisit it.

But as life evolves, so do financial commitments. ...

Where financial planning makes a real difference

The 60% tax trap has become one of the most significant - and least understood - financial hurdles for UK earners. While the headline higher‑rate tax band suggests a 40% rate, the reality is far more punishing.

If your income is close to or above £100,000, you may be affected by the “60% tax trap.” This happens because your personal allowance is gradually taken away once your income passes £100,000.  For every £2 earned above that threshold, £1 of allowance is lost.

The effect is a marginal...

Yesterday we hosted our charity webinar to raise awareness of a very little-known disease called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) which currently has no cure.

DMD is a progressive condition diagnosed in childhood which causes all the muscles in the body to gradually weaken, including the heart and lungs. DMD almost always affects boys and is typically diagnosed in childhood between the age of three and six.

We also wanted to show our support for an incredible young man called Ben and share his story living with this condition to highlight...

Why speaking to your adviser matters more than ever

With mortgage rates shifting in response to global events, the Chancellor has asked the UK’s biggest lenders to step up support for borrowers. As part of this, lenders will soon be contacting 1.6 million customers whose fixed‑rate deals are ending this year to outline the help available.

While this is welcome news, it’s also important to remember one thing:

Your lender will only tell you about their own products.  Your adviser can tell you about a wide range of your options. 

Here’s w...

What protection behaviour tells us

In an increasingly digital world, it’s easy to assume that financial decisions are best made online, through comparison tools, calculators and automated journeys. But when it comes to protection, recent research suggests something very different. Despite the growth of technology in financial services, people still value human advice, especially when decisions feel personal, emotional or complex.

The AMI Protection Viewpoint Research highlights that around 70% of consumers believe personal contact is imp...

For 2026, Fox Payne are proud to have partnered with the charity Duchenne UK and specifically the Ben vs Duchenne Family Fund.  Please take 4 mins to watch Ben's film, then visit our Just Giving page to add your support by making a donation.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive condition diagnosed in childhood. It causes all the muscles in the body to gradually weaken, including the heart and lungs.  DMD almost always affects boys. It is typically diagnosed in childhood between the age of three and six. 

There is currently ...