The Michelle Sheppard Practice Ltd

27/08/2026

Will the April 2027 pensions and inheritance tax changes affect you?

Under the new rules taking effect on 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds will be included when calculating the value of an estate for inheritance tax purposes.

📩 If you’re unsure how the new rules affect you and how much of your wealth you can pass on, get in touch to talk it through, or read more here:

https://www.michellesheppard.co.uk/article/detail/sjpp/how-pension-changes-could-affect-your-inheritance-tax-plans.html

The Michelle Sheppard Practice Limited is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James's Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority).

SJP Approved 20/08/2026

25/08/2026

For many business owners, a large proportion of family wealth is tied up in their business.

That makes succession planning one of the more important financial and strategic decisions they’ll have to make.

Read more about the importance of planning and getting advice:
https://www.michellesheppard.co.uk/article/detail/sjpp/keeping-it-in-the-family-planning-ahead-for-business-succession.html

The Michelle Sheppard Practice Limited is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James's Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority).

SJP Approved 20/08/2026

19/08/2026

What happens if you die without a Will in the UK?

If you die without a Will, the rules of intestacy determine who inherits your estate. For unmarried couples, stepfamilies and cohabiting partners, the outcome may not be what you expected.

This article explains the risks of dying without a Will:
https://www.michellesheppard.co.uk/article/detail/sjpp/where-theres-a-will-theres-a-say.html

Will writing involves the referral to a service which is separate and distinct to those offered by St. James's Place. Wills are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

The Michelle Sheppard Practice Limited is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James's Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority).

SJP Approved 17/08/2026

According to the 2025 National Wills Report, 79% of UK adults are comfortable talking about death1. Yet when it comes to considering finances, only 36% of people have made a Will2.. This highlights the uncomfortable gap many of us fall into between discussing and doing.

04/08/2026

Only 44% of women say they would feel confident investing an inheritance or financial windfall*. When life changes unexpectedly, financial decisions can feel overwhelming.

Read more on how you can manage your finances during major life changes:

https://www.michellesheppard.co.uk/article/detail/sjpp/when-finances-change-overnight-inheritance-divorce-and-new-responsibilities.html

*Financial Health Report 2026: Women and Wealth. On behalf of St. James's Place, Opinium surveyed 6,000 UK adults nationwide between 17 March and 9 April 2026. Quotas and post-weighting were applied to the sample to make the dataset representative of the UK adult population.

The Michelle Sheppard Practice Limited is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James's Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority).

SJP Approved 28/07/2026

Losing a partner, a parent, or going through a divorce, are among the most difficult life experiences you can face. It can happen quickly too, without much warning. Not only will there be strong and complex emotions to deal with, but for many women it means a sudden and significant change to their f...

28/07/2026

Creating long-term value is a priority for many business owners, regardless of whether an exit is imminent or still some way off.

This article explores five trends influencing UK SMEs in 2026, including succession planning, growth funding and the importance of preparing early for future opportunities.

Read more here:
https://www.michellesheppard.co.uk/article/detail/sjpp/five-trends-defining-the-uk-sme-market-in-2026.html

The Michelle Sheppard Practice Limited is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James's Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority).

SJP Approved 20/07/2026

Martin Brown, CEO of business advisory firm Elephants Child, discusses the trends they are seeing in the SME market this year.

21/07/2026

Managing finances after a loss can feel like a lot to cope with.

It’s important to take your time and seek support when you feel ready.

This article explains some of the key steps involved and aims to provide a clear and simple guide during a difficult period:

https://www.michellesheppard.co.uk/article/detail/sjpp/managing-finances-in-bereavement.html

The Michelle Sheppard Practice Limited is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James's Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority).

SJP Approved 03/07/2026

There are some practical and legal steps to go through. While these can feel daunting, taking it one step at a time can make things more manageable.

16/07/2026

With most pensions set to fall within inheritance tax rules, many people are rethinking how and when to use their retirement savings.

While annuities can provide guaranteed income and may support estate planning by reducing pension wealth over time, they’re not without trade-offs.

Read on to explore why demand is growing, the key risks to consider, and how annuities can fit within your broader retirement strategy.

🔗 https://www.michellesheppard.co.uk/article/detail/sjpp/the-axable-benefits-of-buying-an-annuity.html

Taxation rules can change at any time and are dependent on individual circumstances.

The Michelle Sheppard Practice Limited is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James's Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority).

SJP Approved 02/07/2026.

Changes to inheritance tax (IHT) rules which will bring most pensions into scope from next April are changing how people think about retirement planning, with more turning once again to annuities.

09/07/2026

Everyone faces challenges at different points in life.

Periods of vulnerability can be short or long term, and may arise from a wide range of situations.

What matters is having access to the right support when it’s needed.

This article explores how planning ahead and asking for help can make difficult times feel more manageable:

https://www.michellesheppard.co.uk/article/detail/sjpp/vulnerability-isnt-a-label-its-part-of-life.html

07/07/2026

New 22% charge on cash in investment ISAs

The government has announced a 22% charge on the interest on cash savings held within non-cash ISAs, including stocks and shares ISAs and innovative finance ISAs, from April 2027.

🔗 Read more on this topic here:

https://www.michellesheppard.co.uk/article/detail/sjpp/isa-changes-22-percent-charge-on-cash-in-investment-isas-plus-simpler-first-time-buyer-isa.html

The Michelle Sheppard Practice Limited is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James's Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority).

SJP Approved 24/6/2026

The government has announced a 22% charge on the interest on cash savings held within non-cash ISAs, including stocks and shares ISAs and innovative finance ISAs, from April 2027.

25/06/2026

10 years on from the Brexit referendum, what material impact has leaving the EU had on UK trade, the pound, the stock market and personal wealth?

To shed light on this, SJP have a range of charts to give you the tools to judge for yourself:

https://www.michellesheppard.co.uk/article/detail/sjpp/brexit-a-decade-in-charts-how-has-the-uk-fared.html

On 23 June 2016 the UK voted in a referendum to leave the European Union, by a narrow margin of 52% to 48%. The UK had been a member state of the EU since 1973 and the outcome of the vote – and the decision to abide by what was a legally non-binding referendum – caused widespread anger among ‘...