IFA Talk

Podcast #116: A Decade of Pension Freedoms - Success, Challenges, and the Future of Retirement Planning, with Ed Monk, Associate Director at Fidelity International

In this week’s episode of IFA Talk, we mark a major milestone in retirement planning: ten years since the introduction of Pension Freedoms. Jenny Hunter and Sue Whitbread are joined by Ed Monk, Associate Director at Fidelity International, to reflect on how this seismic shift has shaped the retirement landscape – and what advisers need to consider looking ahead.

Ed shares Fidelity’s latest analysis of how the first cohort of retirees has fared under the new rules, and the findings are eye-opening. Despite initial fears, even those drawing down at higher rates – 5%, 6%, or even 7% – still retained significant pension savings, thanks in large part to strong market performance. But Ed warns that future retirees may not be so fortunate.

The discussion delves into whether the 4% ‘safe withdrawal rule’ still holds water, how advisers can help clients navigate short-term volatility without derailing their plans, and why diversification – particularly the role of bonds – must be reconsidered in today’s uncertain economic climate.

Crucially, while Pension Freedoms have brought unprecedented flexibility, they also require a more hands-on approach to retirement planning. Ed highlights the need for tailored strategies that balance freedom with financial sustainability.

Tune in now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts to hear how past lessons can inform smarter, more resilient retirement planning in the decade ahead.

You can find the full analysis from Fidelity, here!

Podcast #115: The big market questions - Corrections, inflation, interest rates & AI disruptions with Downing's Simon Evan-Cook

In this episode of IFA Talk, we’re tackling some of the biggest questions in today’s global stock markets.

US stockmarket indices have recently dipped to their lowest levels since last September, as concerns over tariffs, inflation, and even a potential US recession weigh on investors’ minds. Is this just a short-term correction, or the start of something more significant?

Meanwhile, the UK and US economies appear to be heading in different directions—so where do the best investment opportunities lie?

Joining Sue and Matt this week is Simon Evan-Cook, Fund Manager at Downing Fox, to break it all down. We’ll explore:

• The latest on tariffs, market moves, interest rates and inflation
• How AI is reshaping the investment landscape
• What all this means for financial advisers, wealth managers and their clients

Tune in now to hear Simon’s ultra-practical take on what’s going on out there today. We hope that it will help you steer your way through these complex market shifts so you can enjoy client conversations with a little bit more confidence.

GBI Podcast #4: The evolving VCT landscape: opportunities, challenges, and key growth sectors with James D’Mello, Fuel Ventures

Welcome to another special episode of IFA Talk in partnership with GBI Magazine. This time, we look at the ever-evolving VCT landscape and the opportunities it brings.

IFA Magazine’s Senior Financial Journalist, Jenny Hunter, and GBI’s Content Editor, Matt Williams, are joined by James D’Mello, the Head of IFA Distribution at Fuel Ventures. With 15 years of experience in the industry, James brings a deep understanding of VCTs and how they are developing.

Together, they discuss why newer VCTs can present more attractive opportunities than larger, more established options. James then explores the shrinking VCT market, and the potential ramifications for advisers, and outlines some of the key sectors which are driving VCT growth today.

This episode provides valuable insights into the world of VCTs, giving you, our listeners, plenty of information on their opportunities, challenges and key growth areas.

Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts to hear the full discussion.

Podcast #114: Helping clients step out of the cash comfort zone and into investing, with AJ Bell's Laura Suter

In this latest episode of IFA Talk, Sue and Jenny explore a challenge that financial advisers frequently face—helping clients move beyond the security of cash savings and towards long-term investment growth.

This discussion highlights why so many savers still default to Cash ISAs, despite decades of evidence showing that investment returns have significantly outperformed cash savings.

Joining the conversation is Laura Suter, Director of Personal Finance at AJ Bell, who shares her insights on the risks of over-relying on cash and how inflation erodes its value over time. She discusses why many savers remain hesitant to invest and explores strategies advisers can use to build their clients’ confidence in making the transition from saving to investing. The conversation also looks at the importance of maintaining an emergency cash reserve while ensuring that clients do not miss out on the long-term benefits of investing.

With the ISA system becoming increasingly complex, the discussion touches on potential reforms that could simplify the process and encourage more people to invest. As cash struggles to keep up with inflation, could sticking with it be costing clients more than they realise?

Tune in now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts to hear expert insights.

I&P Podcast #11: Why advisers should be talking more about pensions and protection in 2025 – with Royal London’s Clare Moffat

The Autumn Budget shook things up when the Chancellor announced plans to bring pensions into the inheritance tax (IHT) net from April 2027. This shift has sparked big questions for advisers, especially around balancing pension strategies with protection planning.

In this episode, we dive into:

• How the IHT changes impact pension planning — especially for clients with larger pension pots.
• Why protection policies are set to play a bigger role in client conversations.
• Practical insights and strategies from today’s guest - pensions expert Clare Moffat, Head of Technical and Marketing compliance at Royal London.

Clare joins hosts Sue and Jenny to break down what advisers need to know and how they can best support their clients through these changes.

Tune in for expert analysis and actionable takeaways to help you navigate the evolving landscape of pensions and protection.

Listen now for plenty of practical insight on these key topics HERE

Podcast #113: The gender gap in finance - Jenny Segal addresses the barriers, solutions, and the business case for equity

In this episode of IFA Talk, we’re tackling one of the biggest issues in financial services today: the gender gap. While progress has been made, women in finance still face significant barriers to leadership, a persistent gender pay gap, and a workplace culture that often overlooks their contributions. But this isn’t just a matter of fairness—it’s a business imperative.

Joining Jenny and Sue for this discussion is Jenny Segal, a business leader, actuary, and workplace culture expert with over 25 years of experience in investment markets. With four books to her name and a deep passion for motivating teams and improving workplace culture, Jenny brings valuable insights into how firms can move beyond box-ticking and drive real change.

Following last week's International Women’s Day, this episode explores the most pressing challenges facing women in finance today, from the impact of workplace policies and leadership barriers to the need for financial products designed with women in mind. We’ll also discuss why companies that embrace gender diversity outperform their peers—and what needs to happen to turn awareness into meaningful action.

Tune in now for an insightful and thought-provoking conversation on the future of gender equity in finance.

You can find more IWD coverage using the following link: https://ifamagazine.com/category/international-womens-day/

 

Podcast #112 | Mind the gap: empowering women investors with Barclays' Clare Francis for #IWD2025

In honour of last Saturday’s International Women's Day, IFA Magazine is excited to share this special edition of our weekly podcast, IFA Talk, focusing on strategies to bridge the gender investing gap.

Recent data from Barclays Smart Investor indicates that women are disproportionately at risk of falling through the "advice gap" when it comes to investing.

In this episode, hosts Sue and Meg are joined by Clare Francis, Director of Savings and Investments at Barclays. Clare shares her unique journey from journalism to finance and delves into the findings of Barclays' latest research on female investment trends.

Tune in to gain valuable insights on empowering women in the financial landscape and practical steps to promote gender parity in investing.

Check out our conversation with Clare on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Podcast #111: #IWD25 special with The Apprentice winner Yasmina Siadatan (Dynamic Planner)

In celebration of International Women’s Day, we’re bringing you a special episode of IFA Talk, the weekly podcast from IFA Magazine. This time, we’re shining a well-deserved spotlight on the incredible contributions of women in financial services.

Join Jenny Hunter and Sue Whitbread as they sit down with Yasmina Siadatan, Chief Revenue Officer at Dynamic Planner – and winner of The Apprentice back in 2009! Yasmina shares her thoughts on gender equality in financial services, the progress made, and the challenges that remain in helping more women step into leadership roles.

The conversation explores what International Women’s Day means to Yasmina and why it matters across all professions. She reflects on the growing presence (or not in some cases) of women in leadership roles within financial services, the impact of role models and mentorship, and the advice she would give to her younger self.

With this year’s theme of #AccelerateAction, the discussion also focuses on the practical steps businesses and individuals can take to promote diversity and inclusion beyond just one day of recognition.

This engaging and thought-provoking episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of financial services and the role of women in shaping it.

M&P Podcast #14: Are you up to date with later life lending options? Featuring Sanjay Gadhia, Standard Life Home Finance

Later life lending is evolving rapidly, with new products, changing regulations, and growing opportunities for advisers and their clients.

In this special Mortgage and Property edition of IFA Talk, we’re joined by Sanjay Gadhia, Head of Sales at Standard Life Home Finance, who brings his expertise and passion for supporting advisers in this important market.

We explore how borrower needs are shifting, the latest product innovations, key regulatory changes, and some practical tips to stay ahead in the later life lending space.

Whether you're already advising in this area or looking to expand your services, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate the evolving landscape and deliver the best outcomes for your clients.

Inheritance tax advice is a specialist area and it is recommended for clients to seek independent advice from a taxation specialist.

Podcast #110: The growing appeal of insurance bonds, tax-efficient strategies and the fast-approaching TYE with M&G's Mark Devlin

In this episode of IFA Talk, Jenny and Sue are diving into the evolving financial landscape and what it means for advisers and their clients. With tax and pension changes following the 2024 Autumn Budget, it’s more important than ever for advisers to stay informed on the latest trends and opportunities in financial planning.

To discuss these developments, we’re joined by Mark Devlin, Senior Technical Manager at M&G. Mark shares his expert insights on the key tax and pension implications of the budget and how advisers can navigate these changes effectively.

A key focus of this discussion is the rising popularity of insurance bonds, both onshore and offshore. Why are they becoming an increasingly attractive investment solution? What tax benefits do they offer? And how can advisers build a deeper understanding of these products to better serve their clients? Mark answers these questions and more, providing practical strategies for incorporating insurance bonds into financial planning.

Finally, we take a look at the fast-approaching tax year-end deadline and his useful tips, resources and tools that will help advisers support their clients even more at the time of year.