Funding Unexpected Financial Needs
We look at some of the typical reasons for borrowing and ways of raising a lump sum when over 55, and suggest potential sources of advice.
This page is where you’ll be able read our shorter to medium length pieces, on whatever takes our fancy; financial services and FinTech commentary, or lifestyle developments for the over 55s.
Why do over 55s receive different options?
Why do our financial options seem to narrow, just when we’ve hit our peak? We look at reasons why this occurs and discuss our first product offering which is designed to address this issue.
Read moreSomething to look forward to
We all need a little inspiration right now. We cover some ideas which may help to give structure to your days and weeks, and may well provide a much-needed sense of anticipation.
Read moreRevamping Your Home Office
Whether it’s a traditional home library or study, a spare room, an outbuilding in the garden, in a basement, more than six months into the pandemic, you’ll want to set up a home office that helps you to keep organized, so you’ll need more than a desk and a chair tucked away in the corner.
Read moreEquity Release - Decision Points
Once made, the decision to release your equity is effectively irreversible and has potentially significant ramifications. The more you know about it, the better. In this piece, we look at how equity release is commonly used, and who by, and the general pre-conditions that apply for most applicants. All useful background information before speaking with an Independent Financial Adviser.
Read moreHelp Your Family Back On Their Feet
If you’ve been called upon to help your family – from assisting with mortgage payments to helping out with university fees to bridging finance for your child’s business – we’ve got a dual proposition that may be of interest.
Read morePros & Cons of Equity Release
We look at how equity release works and outline some of the key pros and cons, and explain how our newly Equity Release Advice Service can help you find all the answers. Learn more.
Read moreSources of financial advice
As we approach retirement, we’re confronted by a number of decisions about our finances, and to move forward with confidence, it might be a good idea to seek out sources of professional financial advice. We’ve commissioned a guide to help customers plan for their future, and the final chapter discusses where readers might find sources of financial advice.
Read moreAsking the right questions about equity release
Before you decide whether equity release is right for you, you’ll want to be prepared – part of that is asking yourself, and your financial adviser, the right questions. You’ll also need to consider all other options including unsecured borrowing. To help consumers choose, free2 has launched the Equity Release Advice Service, provided by expert, independent advisers with access to the whole of the market. It’s on offer alongside the Over 55s Unsecured Loan. Find out more here.
Read moreHouse Price Index
Recent house price indicators say the market is on its way up, but will this be a short-lived recovery, or is property set to boom once again?
Read moreLifestyle & Family Goals
As we enter retirement, we all have lifestyle goals, for ourselves of course, and many of us will have ambitions and often requirements to help the family, both preceding and succeeding generations. We’ve commissioned an expert guide to help readers plan for their future. To learn more about Lifestyle & Family Goals, and some of the factors that you might wish to consider, read the 5th chapter of the independently written Guide to managing money for the over 55s, sponsored by free2. Or, tune into the Podcast series – free thinking finance – that accompanies it.
Read moreSavings & Investments
After a lifetime of saving and investing, the questions of what to encash and when to do so become of increasing importance. That’s one of the reasons why we’ve commissioned a guide to help readers plan for their future. To learn more about savings and Investments, and how the over 55s need to consider these issues carefully as part of planning for retirement, read the fourth chapter of the independently written Guide to managing money for the over 55s, sponsored by free2. Or, tune into the Podcast series – free thinking finance – that accompanies it.
Read moreThe future of working from home
As lockdown eases in the UK, and people begin heading back to the office, working from home remains as popular as ever. This article from Business News Wales covers some of the key reasons.
Read moreBank of mum and dad
When the country’s second largest mortgage provider makes significant changes to way it views new applications, including the make-up of first deposits, it means there could be big changes ahead for parents wishing to help their children onto the housing ladder.
Read moreHomes, Loans & Mortgages
We’ve commissioned a guide to help readers plan for their future. As we become older, questions of debt and how it’s structured become arguably even more important. To learn more about Homes, Loans and Mortgages, and how they can affect the over 55s planning for retirement, read the third chapter of the independently written Guide to managing money for the over 55s, sponsored by free2. Or, tune into the Podcast series – free thinking finance – that accompanies it.
Read moreHow’s Your Pension Holding Up
As the country experiences possibly the strangest Summer break since the 1940s, it might be time to review where your pension planning stands and seek out independent financial advice. With the economy in a fragile state and stock markets having taken a hit, you may want to check your retirement plans before taking time off over Summer.
Read moreMy Pension
To plan for your future, you’ll need as much information as possible. Which is why we’ve produced a guide. To learn more about the different types of pensions and how the decisions you make could affect your future financial wellbeing, read the second chapter of the independently written Guide to managing money for the over 55s, sponsored by free2. Or, tune into the Podcast series – free thinking finance – that accompanies it
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