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.
6 February 2025
AJ Bell calls for Lifetime ISA rules changes alongside package of ISA reforms to boost investmentAJ Bell is calling on government to strengthen the appeal of the Lifetime ISA as part of a broader package of ISA reforms designed to incentivise investing and boost UK markets.
Responding to the Treasury Committee’s call for evidence on the Lifetime ISA, the business has set out a series of reforms intended to enhance the appeal of the Lifetime...
24 January 2025
AJ Bell urges government to rethink inheritance tax on pension proposalsWhen the government first set out its plans to bring pensions into inheritance tax (IHT) at the Autumn Budget, it became apparent to many in the industry that its initial proposals were unworkable. Not only do they threaten to create delays and complexity, leading to financial gridlock in the probate process, but in many cases could lead to...
30 October 2024
Value of lost pensions hits £31 billion – should you combine your pots?The total value of ‘lost’ pension pots has hit £31.1 billion increased by £4.5 billion, new data published by the Pensions Policy Institute reveals*, having risen from £26.6 billion in 2022. Almost 3.3 million pension pots are now considered lost, containing an average sum of £9,470. This rises to £13,620 per pension among people aged 55 to 75.
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12 September 2024
Three priorities for Labour’s first BudgetThe first Budget for new Chancellor Rachel Reeves is coming at the end of October. The rumour mill has already geared up with speculation on what could be included, but we’ve laid out three key areas the Government could focus on when it comes to people’s investments and savings.
ISA simplificationAt a time when government is facing significant...
28 August 2024
What is pension automatic enrolment?About 20 years ago, the then government, after realising the UK had a big problem not saving enough...
21 June 2024
How the main parties compare on tax and personal financeWith the main political parties having set out their position on a range of tax, pensions and savings issues ahead of the General Election on 4 July, AJ Bell summarises where they stand on key personal finance policies.
With less than three weeks to go to the general election, we are now in the thick of campaigning. Over the past seven days most...
1 December 2023
Government confirms pension tax rules following lifetime allowance abolitionWe are now one step closer to understanding how the new pension tax regime – to replace the lifetime allowance – will work in practice.
Instead of one lifetime allowance, savers will have two new main allowances to contend with. These allowances are designed to limit the pension tax-free lump sums people can receive in life and the tax-free lump...
20 February 2020
Key changes for 2020/21 tax yearEvery new tax year brings in changes to the rules and allowances for how much people can invest and where. And the 2020/21 tax year is no different. Below is a list of the major changes we can expect to see next tax year – covering pensions and savings, property, and employment status. Not all the detail is pinned down yet; we are still waiting for...
