Read the latest news and articles from the Gem & Co team
Thinking about life after you finish work usually involves planning for your retirement. This means considering how to enjoy your hard-earned wealth, perhaps by travelling, spending time with friends and family, or treating yourself to something you’ve always dreamt of having, such as a new car or the holiday of a lifetime. However, there is
Read more
On 8 May 2026, Sir David Attenborough celebrated his 100th birthday. A longtime protector of and advocate for our planet’s wildlife, even in older age, he maintains a profound passion for nature and a drive to change the world for the better. Over the years, he has imparted his wisdom, worldviews, and personal philosophy through
Read more
There were highs and dips in the investment markets in May 2026. Discover some of the factors that may have affected your portfolio’s performance. Remember, short-term market movements are a normal part of investing. When you’re reviewing returns, it’s typically a good idea to look at the bigger picture and assess performance over several years.
Read more
A hidden marginal tax rate that affects workers earning between £100,000 and £125,140 is often dubbed a “tax trap”, and research suggests it’s shaping career decisions. However, there are ways you might mitigate the additional tax charge without putting the brakes on your career progression. The Personal Allowance is £12,570 in 2026/27, and you can
Read more
From 6 April 2027, many unused pension pots will be included in Inheritance Tax (IHT) calculations. Since the government announced the change in the 2024 Autumn Budget, an increasing number of people have opted to withdraw their tax-free lump sum from their pension as soon as they can. Currently, you can access your pension from
Read more
Financial worries are common, but engaging with your finances and creating a long-term plan could ease stress. According to research from Virgin Money (1 October 2025), 89% of people in the UK experience money worries, and a third said they experience this regularly. Financial concerns can spill into other areas of your life. If you’re
Read more
Retirement is a significant life transition. Some of the financial habits that served you well during your working life might no longer suit your retirement lifestyle. Sticking to your current financial habits could mean you miss out on opportunities to enjoy your retirement, or even mean you risk using up your savings too soon. Read
Read more
Reaching your long-term goals often requires careful planning and consistent action. A financial plan could help you work towards these goals and, in some cases, investing may play an important role too. In previous blogs, you’ve read about how you might reach short- or medium-term goals. Now, read on to discover some key considerations for
Read more
This guest blog was written by Chris Budd, who wrote the original Financial Wellbeing Book as well as The Four Cornerstones of Financial Wellbeing. He founded the Institute for Financial Wellbeing and has written more than 130 episodes of the Financial Wellbeing Podcast. A comment that one often hears when discussing finances is that people
Read more
The number of people celebrating their 100th birthday in the UK is on the rise. As life expectancy continues to increase, it is more important than ever to plan financially for a 100-year life. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), there were 16,600 centenarians in 2024 – double the number in 2004 (21
Read more