Rachel is AJ Bell's Head of Public Policy. She helps financial advisers and planners understand the changing pensions and savings environment, as well as how new legislation and regulation affects them and their clients.
Rachel is well known within the pensions and savings industry, and regularly speaks at AJ Bell events, alongside writing content and articles for the AJ Bell website.
25 June 2026
What we know about the ‘first time buyer ISA’The treasury has published a consultation that gives us the broad shape of the new ‘first time buyer ISA' but leaves us guessing on some of the most important aspects. There is still no detail on the level of government bonus, subscription limits or property price cap, making it difficult to judge whether this new product will be a meaningful...
25 June 2026
Five pension inheritance tax issues families should plan for nowFrom 6 April 2027, unused pensions will be included in calculations for inheritance tax (IHT). As well as introducing new complexities for people who planned to keep excess savings in their pension to pass on to loved ones, the new regime also creates extra challenges for those dealing with the estate after someone dies.
Personal representatives...
16 June 2026
How can I access the pension I built up in the US?Ask the experts. Rachel Vahey is here to answer questions on pensions. If you’d like a question considered for a future edition send it in now .
Or alternatively leave a rating for the article and include your question in the comment box.
I worked in the US for a few years before returning back to the UK. Whilst out there I built up a $31,000...
4 June 2026
Salary sacrifice changes: what they could mean for youHMRC estimates more than 2.8 million people could cut their pension contributions once the salary sacrifice cap is introduced in April 2029. Though this is guesswork and the Office for Budgetary Responsibility has warned that the behavioural impact of the new cap on pension saving is highly uncertain.
This is not a simple case of higher earners...
21 May 2026
How can I get my employer to make contributions to my SIPP?Ask the experts. Rachel Vahey is here to answer questions on pensions. If you’d like a question considered for a future edition send it in now .
Or alternatively leave a rating for the article and include your question in the comment box.
I want my employer to make contributions into my SIPP. How do they do this for the first time and what do I...
16 May 2026
Five key tax and savings policies a new prime minister could revisitAnyone stepping into the role of prime minister and entering Number 10 midway through a term will have some tough decisions on their plate. They will be eager to stamp their mark on their premiership, yet must balance this with the risk of reneging on key promises made to voters less than two years ago – and threaten to erode public trust in the...
24 April 2026
I live overseas: how can I access my UK pension?Ask the experts. Rachel Vahey is here to answer questions on pensions. If you’d like a question considered for a future edition send it in now .
Or alternatively leave a rating for the article and include your question in the comment box.
I have a stakeholder defined contributions pension with a big provider built up when I was employed in the...
1 April 2026
Does it matter if you're married when it comes to pensions?At first glance, pensions are a totally individual affair. Most people have their own pension...
13 March 2026
Should I defer my retirement or not?Ask the experts. Rachel Vahey is here to answer questions on pensions. If you’d like a question considered for a future edition send it in now .
I am approaching 65 years old and find myself enjoying work so much that I don’t want to retire just yet, I’d prefer to continue working, although I may cut my working hours.
I am a widower and receive a...
16 February 2026
My daughter’s in the Navy — where should she start with her pension?Ask the experts. Rachel Vahey is here to answer questions on pensions. If you’d like a question considered for a future edition send it in now .
My daughter has just completed her first year in the Navy and is considering setting up a personal pension because she has an excess of cash, what can you suggest?
I have a SIPP with you but not sure I...
