De Mellow & Co

17/06/2026

Client question: What happens to my pension if I die?

It's not the easiest question to think about.

But it's one of the most important ones.

And it comes up more often than you might expect - because most people simply don't know the answer.

So, what does happen to your pension if you die?

In most cases, your pension doesn't automatically form part of your estate. That means it may not be covered by your will.

Instead, it's typically passed on according to a nomination of beneficiaries form - a document most people have never filled in, or filled in years ago and forgotten about.

Getting this wrong - or simply leaving it to chance - can have real consequences for the people you care about most.

The good news? It's straightforward to review. And it's worth doing sooner rather than later.

If you'd like to make sure your pension is set up the way you intend, book a consultation with one of our planners.

de Mellow & Co Ltd is an Appointed Representative and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management Plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority)
SJP Approved 02/06/2026

15/06/2026

Client question: When can I afford to retire?

One of the most personal questions we get asked.
And one of the most important.
When can I afford to retire?

The honest answer is - it depends on more than just a number in your pension pot.

It depends on:
— What kind of lifestyle you want in retirement
— What income you'll need to support it - and for how long
— What sources of income you'll have (pension, investments, State Pension, property)
— Whether you want to retire fully or gradually wind down
— What you'd like to leave behind for the people you love

Most people either overestimate what they'll need - and delay unnecessarily. Or underestimate - and retire without a plan that lasts.
The goal isn't to retire as early as possible. It's to retire with confidence.
Knowing your money will last. Knowing your lifestyle is protected. Knowing you have flexibility if things change.

That conversation starts earlier than most people think.
And the earlier you have it, the more options you have.

If retirement is something you're starting to think about - book a consultation with one of our planners.

de Mellow & Co Ltd is an Appointed Representative and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management Plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority)
SJP Approved 03/06/2026

10/06/2026

What children learn about money - before you even realise it

One of the best financial decisions you can make for your children has nothing to do with money.
It's the conversations you have with them about it.

Children learn about money earlier than we think. Not from textbooks - but from watching us.
How we spend, how we save, how we talk about financial decisions at home.

A few simple habits that make a difference:
— Give them a small amount to manage themselves - and let them make mistakes with it
— Talk openly about choices: "we could buy this, but we're saving for something else"
— Show them that money is a tool, not a source of stress or secrecy
— Introduce the idea of saving early - even small amounts build the habit
You don't need to have all the answers. You just need to start the conversation.
Because the financial habits children learn early tend to stay with them for life.

If you'd like to think about how to build long-term financial security for your family, book a consultation with one of our planners.

de Mellow & Co Ltd is an Appointed Representative and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management Plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority)
SJP 02/06/2026

08/06/2026

Mid-year financial check-in

Half the year is already behind us. So… when was the last time you checked in on your finances?

Mid-year is the perfect moment to pause and review:
• Are you still on track with your goals?
• Has anything changed financially or personally?
• Are your savings, investments or pension contributions still working for the life you want?

Financial planning isn’t something you do once and forget about. Life changes - and your plan should evolve with it.

Sometimes, even a small adjustment now can make a big difference later.

If it’s been a while since your last financial review, book a consultation with one of our planners.

de Mellow & Co Ltd is an Appointed Representative and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management Plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority)
SJP Approved 02/06/2026

05/06/2026

Last month we welcomed two new members to the de Mellow & Co team! ⭐

Megan has joined the team as our Operations Co-ordinator, helping to keep everything running smoothly both in and around the office. Outside of work, Megan enjoys running and is currently training for an impressive 100km race.

Trevor has joined us as a Graduate Financial Administrator, having recently graduated from the University of Surrey. Alongside starting his career in financial services, Trevor is also a semi-professional footballer!

Please join us in welcoming them! 🥳

03/06/2026

We are incredibly proud to share that five members of our de Mellow & Co team have been nominated for the Women in Financial Advice Awards 2026.

Jennifer, Yasmin, Jodie, Freya, Alona

These women bring dedication, expertise and heart to everything they do - and this recognition is truly well deserved.

We couldn't be prouder to have them on our team.

Wishing you all the very best of luck. Go get it!

01/06/2026

Big news from de Mellow & Co

We're proud to share that our Corporate Chartered Financial Planner status has been renewed by the Chartered Insurance Institute 🥳
Chartered status isn't something you achieve once and forget. It requires ongoing commitment, continuous professional development, and a genuine dedication to putting clients first - always.
It's a reflection of the standards we hold ourselves to every day - and the trust our clients place in us ❤️

Watch our directors share what this means to them 🎬

29/05/2026

A big well done to Beth & Nahid for passing CII exams this month!

Beth passed RO6 covering financial planning practice and Nahid passed CF6 on mortgage advice 🤩

Congratulations to you both 🥳

27/05/2026

21/05/2026

“What should I do with my investments when markets feel unsettled?”

It’s a question that comes up a lot when things feel a bit uncertain.

Markets go up, markets go down - it’s not a warning sign, it’s just how investing works.

But that doesn’t make it feel any easier when things are moving around. The instinct is often to do something…move things, pause decisions, or try to get ahead of it.

But what we see time and time again is this - the people who handle volatility best aren’t the ones reacting quickest - they’re the ones who already have a plan they trust.

A few gentle reminders that are worth keeping in mind:
- Short-term movement doesn’t always reflect the bigger picture
- Selling in a dip can turn a temporary drop into a permanent loss
- Diversification is there for moments exactly like this
- And your long-term plan matters far more than this week’s headlines

The most difficult financial decisions tend to happen when things feel uncertain — when it’s easy for emotion to creep in. If your investments are starting to feel uncomfortable or are playing on your mind, it’s usually a good time to talk things through.

We’re always here if you need that reassurance or a sense check.

de Mellow & Co Financial Planning 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). de Mellow & Co Financial Planning is a trading name of De Mellow & Co Ltd.
SJP Approved 06/05/2026