Perry Whitmarsh Financial Adviser

27/02/2026

No one wants to think about the possibility of falling ill - which is perhaps why many people put off buying protection cover. But asking yourself how you and your family would manage financially if you were unable to work due to illness can focus the mind and encourage proactive planning.

If you are unable to work due to a serious illness or injury it can be extremely stressful, particularly if you do not have employee sick pay or savings to fall back on. A protection insurance policy offers peace of mind that you and your family would have financial support during a difficult time.

29/07/2025

From April 2027, pensions will be included in estates for Inheritance Tax purposes. But how could this impact you?

Lets look at John and Jane Doe as an example. They are both 60 years old and have the following assets:

🔹 A house worth £600,000, which will be inherited by their children on second death
🔹 Investments and savings worth £200,000
🔹 John has a final salary pension, which will not be impacted by the changes in 2027
🔹 Jane has private and old workplace pensions which total £500,000

Here’s how inheritance tax currently works in the UK:

🔹 Every UK individual has a Nil Rate Band of £325,000. This is the value of assets that can be passed free of Inheritance Tax to the next generation.
🔹 In addition to this, if a property is owned that will be passed to direct descendants, each individual benefits from a further £175,000 Residence Nil Rate Band, taking the total Nil Rate Band per individual to £500,000.
🔹 At present, on first death, the assets would pass to the surviving spouse free of inheritance tax due to the spousal exemption and the surviving spouse would inherit the deceased’s relevant Nil Rate Bands.
🔹 Therefore, on second death, a couple who have a property to pass onto descendants will benefit from a total exempt amount of £1,000,000, of which no Inheritance Tax would need to be paid.

Therefore, Jane and John’s current estate value of £800,000 (house + investments) is covered by the total exempt amount on second death, with no Inheritance Tax payable.

As of April 2027, Jane’s pensions would be added to the estate for inheritance tax purposes, taking the total estate value to £1,300,000. The exempt amount of £1,000,000 would be taken off this total, leaving £300,000 potentially liable to Inheritance Tax, payable at a rate of 40%. This gives an Inheritance Tax bill of £120,000, payable by the personal representatives of the estate.

Are you aware of the current value of your estate? Are you prepared for the changes to Inheritance Tax in April 2027? If not, you may need to speak to a financial adviser.

Please note, the above example should not be taken as financial advice. Taxation rules can change at any time and are dependent on individual circumstances.

23/07/2025

💭 What does enough to retire really look like?

It's a question that doesn't come with a clear number, and everyone's number will be different.

Someone's comfortable might be half of someone elses uncomfortable.

Because enough isn't just about money. It's about:
🔹 How much you spend now (and want to spend later)
🔹 Whether you're carrying any debt
🔹 If your mortgage will be cleared
🔹 What kind of retirement you want
🔹 And of course, what pensions, savings and investments you have already built up

It's different for everyone.

But here's what I've noticed: people often feel more at ease once they've seen the numbers in black and white.

You don't have to be wealthy to retire well. You just need clarity, and a plan that fits you.

21/07/2025

The moment you realise your pensions are spread across four jobs...

You're tidying up a drawer and find yet another pension statement from a job you left 12 years ago.

You vaguely remember joining the scheme, but haven't even thought about it since.

That makes four pensions now. Or is it five?

It's incredibly common. Most people switch jobs several times, and each employer often sets up a new pension pot. Over time, they stack up - forgotten, scattered, and a bit confusing.

You might be wondering:
❓ Are they all invested the same way?
❓ Are you paying hidden fees?
❓ Should you combine them?
❓ How much are they worth in total?

The answer? It depends on your circumstances, but many people are surprised at how much clearer things feel once they've untangled it all.

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. It's one of the most common situations I see and thankfully, it's very solvable.

17/07/2025

💔Breaking up with bad financial habits can set you up for a better future. Here’s some habits to start changing:

🛍️Impulse purchases – clever marketing tactics can make us buy things we didn’t set out to purchase, and if you’re impulse buying regularly this will soon add up. Break the habit by writing a list, sticking to it and resisting temptation of discounts or offers.

🚫Not sticking to a budget… or not even having one! A budget will help you plan your spending on regular expenses, including your saving or other needs/goals. Break the habit by finding a budgeting plan that is realistic and works for you. Keep track by using a spreadsheet, notebook, or online banking app.

💀Neglecting your savings – saving might not be your priority right now, and that’s okay, but the longer you leave it, the less time you have for your money to grow. Break the habit by contributing little and often. Set up an automatic transfer if you need to!

🚗Letting your insurance policies and subscriptions renew unchecked – providers don’t always make it obvious that a better offer is available to you. Have another look at subscription plans or insurance policy quotes to re-evaluate the best option for you.

😖Putting off things that are more complex to you – The UK has a complicated tax system, so it’s okay not to understand all of it. But make an effort to understand taxes that apply to you so that your money works more tax-efficiently. Consider speaking to a financial adviser to guide you through this.

🛣️Not having a financial plan based on your goals – it’s good to have direction, and even better to have a route to get there. Work out what your goals are, when you want to achieve them by, and how much money that will take. Then build a plan, bespoke to you and your circumstances, to get there.

18/06/2025

Money should reflect who you are.

One client shared their dream of travelling the world with their family.

But many get it wrong → focusing on saving without considering what truly matters.
→ prioritising the wrong investments.
→ missing out on experiences that bring joy.

What counts is aligning your finances with your values.

My approach →
→ understanding your goals,
→ creating a plan that fits your life,
→ making every penny work for you.

This isn’t just about numbers - it’s about living fully.

What’s your financial dream?

29/04/2025

Financial freedom doesn't come from luck — it comes from having a plan.

When I speak with clients, many believe the safest approach is sticking to a stable salary. But relying solely on earned income can leave you vulnerable when life inevitably throws surprises your way.

What often gets overlooked is that investing and building passive income streams isn’t just for the wealthy; it’s essential for anyone aiming for true financial freedom.

The real difference comes from having a clear strategy:

📈 Choosing investments that generate sustainable, long-term returns
🧩 Building a portfolio that supports your goals and adapts as life changes
🔑 Making your money work harder for you, instead of the other way around

That’s where working with a financial adviser can make all the difference.

A good adviser helps you:

✅ Cut through the noise and focus on what matters most
✅ Build a personalised investment plan that grows with you
✅ Stay on track, even when markets or life get unpredictable

The bottom line is clear: by investing wisely and having the right plan in place, you can create multiple streams of income and move closer to lasting financial freedom.

If you’re ready to start building your future, now is the time to take the first step. 🚀

📌 Remember: Investments can go down as well as up, and you may not get back the amount you originally invested.

23/04/2025

💬 “I’ve never had this much money before. I don’t even know where to start.”

That’s what a client recently said after receiving an unexpected inheritance.

Inheriting money often comes at an emotionally difficult time. While it can provide new possibilities, it also brings a complex mix of grief, responsibility, and uncertainty. Many people feel unsure about what to do next, and that’s completely natural.

Here’s what can happen in the early days:
→ People feel pressure to make quick decisions.
→ Emotions cloud long-term thinking.
→ There’s uncertainty around who to trust for advice.

💡 The real challenge isn’t just about managing money, it’s about making decisions that honour both the past and the future.

When I support clients in this situation, I focus on:
✅ Listening deeply to their goals, concerns, and what truly matters to them.
✅ Creating a clear plan that reflects their values and priorities.
✅ Offering guidance and education to help them make confident, informed choices.

Because in the end, financial advice isn't just about numbers - it’s about life alignment. With the right support, navigating an inheritance can be a thoughtful, empowering process.

16/04/2025

You can enjoy life and save for the future.
It’s not one or the other. It’s both. 🥳

A client recently told me they’d been holding back on spending.
Not because they couldn’t afford it — but because they felt guilty enjoying themselves.

This is more common than you think.
Most people believe that saving = sacrificing fun.

But that’s a myth.

Here’s the real win:
✅ A plan that covers your future
✅ Space to enjoy the present
✅ No guilt either way

Here’s how I help clients find that balance:
→ Set a monthly “fun allowance” — fully guilt-free
→ Stick to consistent saving targets
→ Enjoy the moment, knowing the future’s covered

Money shouldn't feel like a punishment.
Done right, it gives you freedom.

What’s your favourite guilt-free spend?

14/04/2025

Got a few different pension pots from past jobs? Why not make life easier and consolidate them into one?

Combining your pensions can simplify your retirement planning, reduce fees, and give you a clearer picture of your overall savings. It’s like doing a bit of financial spring cleaning—tidying up your pension pots so you can see exactly where you stand.

And the best part?

Managing one pot is way less hassle than juggling multiple ones. So, if your pensions are feeling a bit scattered, consider bringing them all together. Your future self will thank you! 🌸

25/03/2025

Last week I had the opportunity to head to Your Lead Machine for a workplace financial education session. 📈

We spoke about all things savings, investing, retirement planning and protecting what you already have, with some very positive feedback coming from attendees!

It’s something I’m hugely passionate about - helping people take notice of any financial shortfalls they may currently have and helping them protect and grow for their future.

All attendees are offered a complimentary financial health check to discuss anything covered in the presentation and ask any questions they may have.

If you currently manage a team who you feel would benefit from this, then please get in touch!