Where would you like to live when you grow older? There’s a lot to consider. Will your home be manageable as you become older and perhaps less mobile?

One of my clients died on Saturday. She died peacefully at home, surrounded by family and loved ones. It was, as far as these things can be, a ‘good death’.

The high court has ordered a group of pension scammers repay £13.7m to the victims of their scams. This is the first ruling of this type and should hopefully strike fear into scammers, although I suspect those who conduct these types of scams still believe they will get away with it.

It’s that time of year again when pension savings statements are being issued. They should have been issued by 6 October following the end of the relevant tax year, so will be sent out about now for the 2016/17 tax year.

One thing that makes my blood boil is the blame SIPPs get every time there is a release of information on complaints. 

I can’t help but feel a bit cheated when I am sat in the office on Budget day waiting for some surprise pensions announcement by the Chancellor and there is not only no surprise, but the word pension is only mentioned twice in the whole speech.

Over the last few months I have increasingly been reading articles about efforts to encourage women into a career in Financial Planning. As more women are seeking financial advice, I think it’s important that the demographics of the industry mirror this, writes our guest columnist Financial Planner Chloe Moran who is studying to become a Chartered Financial Planner.

On 31 December 2012, the Retail Distribution Review (RDR) was introduced. It made clear how much consumers pay for financial advice, what they pay for, and improved professional standards by introducing a new increased minimum level of qualification for all Financial Planners. The aim was to professionalise the industry and I believe this was a good place to start in improving the reputation of the industry.

I went into a meeting for only a couple of hours and come out to find out that for many the state pension age will be 68 rather than 67 as they were expecting, for me however there is no change – well not yet anyway.

Pension scams come in many guises and cold calling is just one unwelcome activity that can easily target the vulnerable and lonely.