UK Financial Guides
Expert articles on UK tax, salary, property, and personal finance by CIMA-qualified analyst James Hartley. Updated for 2026/27.
74 articles published
NHS Pension Schemes: 1995, 2008 and 2015 Explained
The difference between the 1995, 2008, and 2015 NHS pension sections, how final salary compares to career average, and what the McCloud remedy means for you.
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The difference between the 1995, 2008, and 2015 NHS pension sections, how final salary compares to career average, and what the McCloud remedy means for you.
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74 articlesHow to Claim Your NHS Pension
How to claim your NHS pension step by step: when to apply, the AW8 retirement form, what you need, how long it takes, and how payment and tax work.
The NHS Pension Lump Sum Explained
How the NHS pension lump sum works: the automatic 1995 section lump sum, commuting pension at £12 for every £1 given up, the tax-free limit, and whether to take it.
Taking Your NHS Pension
When and how to take your NHS pension: your normal pension age, taking it early or late, partial retirement, the tax-free lump sum, ill-health retirement, and survivor benefits.
NHS Pension Contributions Explained
How much you pay into the NHS pension in 2025/26: the contribution tiers, why part-time pay matters, tax relief, what your employer adds, and what your pension buys.
Council Tax Explained
How council tax works in 2026/27: the valuation bands, who has to pay, the single person discount, exemptions, and what to do if you think your band is wrong.
Company Car Tax Explained
How company car tax works in 2026/27: benefit-in-kind bands, how the tax is calculated, why electric cars are cheaper, fuel benefit, and how to cut the bill.
Marriage Allowance Explained
How Marriage Allowance works in 2026/27: who can claim, how much tax you save, how to apply for free, and how to backdate a claim by up to four years.
Car Finance Claims: What You Need to Know
Car finance commission claims explained: what the FCA review covers, who may be affected, how to complain for free, and why you should not pay a claims firm.
The NHS Pension Scheme Explained
How the NHS Pension Scheme works in 2026: the 2015 CARE scheme, contribution tiers, what your employer pays, retirement age, lump sums, and the annual allowance.