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.
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...
24 July 2025
Why you may have to wait longer to claim the state pensionThe government has launched a new review of the state pension age, which may mean that it rises to the age of 68 sooner than planned.
Currently both men and women can claim the state pension from the age of 66, but this is already planned to rise to 67 and to 68 for future pensioners. However, the government has launched the third review of the...
10 July 2025
What could Mansion House speech mean for the future of pensions and ISAs?After a bruising few weeks, the chancellor will be hoping to reset the agenda at next week’s Mansion House speech, likely turning her attention to pensions again and trying to persuade voters this government can plot a path toward a more prosperous retirement for millions of Brits.
Phase two of the government’s Pensions Review will look at adequacy...
