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.
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...
18 January 2026
What will happen with my pension if I go into a care home?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.
If you go into a care home and have a drawdown pension the local authority can compare the income you take from pension drawdown against the income you would receive if you bought an annuity on a single...
13 December 2025
What will happen to my pension if I move abroad?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.
Three years ago, we bought property in Spain, and since our retirement last year, my husband and I are currently dividing our time between the UK and Spain. However, this is a temporary arrangement, and...
12 November 2025
Will I be affected by the increased age limit on taking pension benefits?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.
Currently the earliest one can access their pension benefits is upon reaching the age of 55. The government announced this limit would rise to 57 from 6 April 2028.
Having saved diligently and invested...
2 October 2025
What should pension savers consider before taking their tax-free cash?With the Budget fast approaching, the rumour mill is going into overdrive over whether there will be changes to pensions tax incentives from November.
Those who have built up larger pension pots must feel somewhat caught in the headlights. But trying to make decisions based on policy rumours becomes a guessing game.
Whether and when to take tax...
17 September 2025
State pension expects 4.7% increase to beat inflationPensioners will be rejoicing at the prospect of an inflation-busting rise to the state pension from April next year as a result of the triple lock guarantee, with the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) earnings growth figure coming in at 4.7% for the period between May and July of this year.
The triple lock guarantee means that the state...
3 September 2025
When can I access my pension?Many of us start saving into a pension from the age of 22 or even earlier. This is the age from which your employer usually has to automatically enrol you into a pension scheme. If you choose to pay into a pension, then your employer also has to chip in with their own contributions.
It’s natural that as you start to approach retirement you will...
27 August 2025
What is your state pension age?The state pension can be a key part of your retirement finances, but there’s often confusion about...
25 July 2025
Gender pension gap reaches 48%We all dream of an idyllic retirement where we are financially comfortable, but achieving that in...
