22 August 2025
Should I retire early?Early retirement is the goal for many people. But anyone considering retiring at a younger age needs to understand the impact it will have on their pension and lifestyle.
About the expert
Hannah joined AJ Bell in 2025 as an investment writer. She was previously a journalist at Portfolio Adviser Magazine, reporting on multi-asset, fixed income and equity funds, as well as macroeconomic impacts and regulatory changes within the industry.
Hannah earned a degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin before beginning her career in London. Before joining the finance industry, she covered state politics in Texas and worked as a sports reporter.
Latest articles from Hannah Williford
22 August 2025
These money strategies could slash your IHT billAs pensions become subject to inheritance tax (IHT) from April 2027, many people will now find themselves breaching the inheritance tax allowance, while others face a larger bill than anticipated. However, there are a few options that could ease the pain when the new tax rules hit.
Inheritance tax is currently charged at a rate of 40% after any tax...
21 August 2025
Money market funds explainedA money market fund is a lower-risk investment vehicle that holds short-term debt issued by governments and companies. These funds aim to create a slightly better return than you’d get on cash in the bank.
21 August 2025
Is your savings rate still beating inflation?Inflation increased above expectations for July, at 3.8% year on year. This was up from June’s reading of 3.6%, and while the readings are far above the Bank of England’s 2% target, they expect things to get worse before they get better.
The rise means dwindling spending power today, but it also has ramifications for the future, as money saved in...
14 August 2025
Is dividend tax taking a toll on your gains?The number of people that will pay tax on their dividends across all income brackets has doubled over the past four tax years as the dividend allowance shrinks.
While the allowance used to be £2,000, it has now fallen to just £500, with the rest categorised as income. Now, 3.7 million people are paying tax on their dividends, and it’s not just...
7 August 2025
FTSE hits a new high: how to invest in the UK stock marketThis summer, the UK has been enjoying its time in the sun. Not just through good weather but also for the stock market, which reached an end of day high on 24 July and an intraday high on the 31st. Some investors may be considering how to get a piece of the pie.
Adding to the appeal of the home market is a weakened US dollar, creating currency risk...
5 August 2025
Is it the right time to climb on the property ladder?Rising home prices coupled with high mortgage rates have made buying a home increasingly out of reach for many in recent years. But a loosening of mortgage regulations, falling interest rates, and a drop in house prices could mean that a more achievable path to homeownership is opening.
According to July’s property market data from Rightmove, the...
30 July 2025
Do you need more in your portfolio than shares and bonds?There is a growing debate as to whether the traditional 60% shares and 40% bonds strategy is outdated. There is a suggestion that gold, property and private equity also deserve a place in an investors’ portfolio, to provide more balance.
A key reason why investment experts are reappraising portfolio construction is the failure for bonds to behave...
24 July 2025
Three bits of news that might affect your wealthThere has been a flurry of information this week about spending, saving and managing your money.
In a double whammy, one government review highlighted that many Brits are not saving enough into their private pensions, and a second review revealed the rising cost of the state pension.
We had the news that certain people might have to wait until...
17 July 2025
Different ways to generate an income in retirementInvestments can be someone’s main source of income once they retire, swapping a salary for dividends to pay the bills. This reliance on a pension emphasises the importance of having a good spread of income-generating investments.
There’s lots to choose from, and your selection will depend on your risk appetite and time horizon, among other factors...
