Alex Reilly-Walling: Meriden Financial Planning

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Alex Reilly-Walling: Meriden Financial Planning Independent Financial Adviser in Stourbridge for Meriden Financial Planning. Let's build your financial confidence together.

Offering holistic financial planning tailored to your goals—retirement, protection, wealth growth.

15/10/2026

How Do I Pay For Advice? Fixed Fee or Percentage Fee?

One of the questions I hear most often is: How do financial advisers charge?

And usually followed by: Which is better, a percentage fee or a fixed fee?

The honest answer?

It depends.

Imagine you're having building work done on your house.

Would you expect every project to cost exactly the same?

Probably not.

Financial planning is similar.

Some advisers charge a fixed fee.

Some charge a percentage of assets.

Some use a combination of both.

Neither approach is automatically right or wrong.

The important thing is understanding:

What you're paying

What you're getting

Whether the value feels worthwhile

I've found that most people aren't looking for the cheapest advice.

They're looking for clarity.

Nobody wants surprises.

If you're considering working with an adviser, ask:

✅ How are you paid?

✅ What services are included?

✅ Are there ongoing costs?

✅ What happens if my circumstances change?

The fee structure matters.

But the value of the advice matters far more.

Paying less for poor advice is rarely a bargain.

Paying fairly for good advice can save you far more than it costs.

The best advice isn't defined by how it's charged.

It's defined by the outcome it helps create.

Which would matter more to you: the fee itself, or the value you receive in return?

13/10/2026

Lasting Power of Attorney: The Document Most People Leave Too Late

Many people think Lasting Powers of Attorney are only relevant in old age.

The reality is that illness, injury or loss of capacity can affect anyone.

There are two main types:

Property and Financial Affairs: Allows someone you trust to help manage financial matters.

Health and Welfare: Allows trusted individuals to make decisions regarding care and medical treatment if you're unable to do so yourself.

The key point? An LPA is not about giving up control.

It's about keeping control in the right hands.

By putting arrangements in place early, you retain the ability to choose who would act on your behalf if ever needed.

That's a decision most people would prefer to make for themselves.

Important: This post is provided for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. The suitability of any financial product or strategy will depend on your individual circumstances. If you're considering taking action, you should seek personalised advice from a qualified and regulated financial adviser.

06/10/2026

Drawdown vs Annuity: Which Feels Safer For You?

One of the most important retirement decisions you may face is how to turn your pension savings into an income.

For some people, the certainty of an annuity provides reassurance.

For others, drawdown offers flexibility and greater control over how and when income is taken.

Neither approach is automatically better.

An annuity can provide predictable income but may offer less flexibility.

Drawdown can be flexible but carries investment risk and requires ongoing review.

In reality, some retirees choose to combine approaches rather than view them as mutually exclusive options.

The best solution often comes down to personal priorities.

There is no single right answer.

Only the one that matches your lifestyle and peace of mind.

Investments can fall as well as rise in value and you may get back less than you invested.

Important: This post is provided for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. The suitability of any financial product or strategy will depend on your individual circumstances. If youre considering taking action, you should seek personalised advice from a qualified and regulated financial adviser.

02/10/2026

State Pension: Are You Getting Everything You're Entitled To?

Your State Pension could form an important part of your retirement income.

But are you certain you're on track to receive your full entitlement?
Some of the most common areas worth checking include:

• Missing National Insurance contribution years
• Whether voluntary contributions could be beneficial
• Decisions around delaying State Pension benefits
• Entitlements that may apply in certain circumstances

Many people assume everything happens automatically.

Sometimes it does.

Sometimes it doesn't.

A State Pension forecast can be a useful starting point and often helps provide clarity around future retirement income.

It's a simple check that could be well worth your time.

Important: This post is provided for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. The suitability of any financial product or strategy will depend on your individual circumstances. If you're considering taking action, you should seek personalised advice from a qualified and regulated financial adviser.

24/09/2026

Gifting Money While You're Still Here – The Rules That Actually Matter

One of the most rewarding conversations I have with clients is about helping family members during their lifetime.

Many people would prefer to see the difference their wealth can make today rather than simply leave it behind.

Fortunately, the rules can be more generous than many realise.

A few areas worth understanding include:
• The annual gifting exemption
• Small gift allowances
• Gifts made from surplus income in certain circumstances
• The seven-year rule for larger gifts

The technical details matter, but the principle is simple.

Thoughtful gifting can help children, grandchildren or other loved ones at a time when they may need support most.

Whether it's helping with education costs, a home deposit, or simply providing a financial boost, gifting can be both deeply meaningful and potentially tax-efficient.

As always, it's important to understand how gifts may affect your own financial security before making any decisions.

Important: This post is provided for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. The suitability of any financial product or strategy will depend on your individual circumstances. If you're considering taking action, you should seek personalised advice from a qualified and regulated financial adviser.

24/09/2026

What Happens To Your Pension When You Die?

Many people spend years building their pension but very little time thinking about what happens to it afterwards.

In many cases, defined contribution pensions can be passed to beneficiaries outside of your estate for Inheritance Tax purposes.

However, there is one simple step that is often overlooked.

Your nomination form.

Trustees and providers will usually look at your nominated beneficiaries when deciding who should receive pension benefits following your death.

Life changes.

Relationships change.

Family circumstances change.

Yet many people haven't reviewed their nominations for years.

A five-minute check today could make a significant difference to your loved ones in the future.

There's another point that often gets missed.

Not all workplace pension schemes offer the same death benefit options.

Some schemes may provide beneficiaries with a range of choices, such as keeping funds invested and drawing an income over time.
Others may offer more limited options.

As a result, two people with similar pension values could leave very different outcomes for their families depending on the scheme they belong to.

That's why it's worth understanding:
✅ Who you've nominated as beneficiaries
✅ What death benefit options your scheme offers
✅ Whether those options still align with your family's needs
✅ If consolidating pensions may be appropriate as part of a wider retirement and legacy strategy

Many people regularly review their investments.

Far fewer review how those investments would be passed on.

Have you checked your pension nominations and death benefit options this year?

Important: This post is provided for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. The suitability of any financial product or strategy will depend on your individual circumstances. Pension death benefits and tax treatment can vary between schemes and may change in the future. If you're considering taking action, you should seek personalised advice from a qualified and regulated financial adviser.

17/09/2026

The £325,000 Inheritance Tax Question Most Families Ignore

Many families are surprised to discover that Inheritance Tax planning isn't just something for the very wealthy.

The starting point for many discussions is the £325,000 Nil Rate Band, which can generally be passed on before Inheritance Tax becomes payable.

For homeowners, there may also be an additional Residence Nil Rate Band available when passing a main residence to direct descendants, potentially increasing the amount that can be passed on tax-efficiently.

But for most people, this isn't really about tax.

It's about family.

It's about making sure that the people you've spent a lifetime supporting receive as much of your estate as possible in the way you intended.

Good estate planning can help provide clarity, reduce uncertainty and ensure your wishes are understood.

It's not about avoiding tax for the sake of it. It's about making sure the people you love receive what you intended.

Important: This post is provided for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. The suitability of any financial product or strategy will depend on your individual circumstances. If you're considering taking action, you should seek personalised advice from a qualified and regulated financial adviser.

15/09/2026

Will Your Pension Last As Long As You Do?

One of the biggest retirement concerns isn't whether you've built up enough pension savings.

It's whether they'll last.

For many retirees, retirement income comes from a combination of sources. Some income may be guaranteed, such as the State Pension or an annuity, while other income may come from pension drawdown, where funds remain invested and withdrawals are taken as needed.

The benefit of drawdown is flexibility. The challenge is that nobody knows exactly how long they'll live, what investment markets will do, or how spending needs may change over time.

That's why retirement planning isn't simply about building a pension pot. It's about creating a sustainable income strategy.
Many people only discover the risks once they start drawing from their pension. A short conversation now can prevent stress later.

If you're approaching retirement or already drawing benefits, it may be worth reviewing whether your current strategy is still appropriate for your needs.

Important: This post is provided for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. The suitability of any financial product or strategy will depend on your individual circumstances. If you're considering taking action, you should seek personalised advice from a qualified and regulated financial adviser.

Investments can fall as well as rise in value and you may get back less than you invested.

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