British urged to find cash in the attic by downsizing as they age
People should “right-size” their housing throughout their lives to get the most out of their homes, a think tank has claimed. The International Longevity Centre-UK (ILC-UK) paper argues that calls made in the past for older people living in large homes to be penalised were both ageist and irrelevant. A lack of desirable retirement housing,… Read more »
Less importance given to leaving an inheritance
A quarter of over-75s (25%) – and more than a fifth of over-55s in total (21%) – have given a cash loan to family members instead of leaving an inheritance, according to Aviva’s latest Real Retirement Report. The findings also show nearly one in ten over-55s regularly give money to family to avoid inheritance tax… Read more »
Public policy towards wealth gap is incoherent
Household wealth in Great Britain amounts to £5.5 trillion, even excluding pension rights – four times national income. It is far more unequally distributed than incomes or earnings. Official figures show that the top tenth of households owned 850 times the total wealth of the bottom tenth in 2008-10, if pension rights are added in…. Read more »
In memory of Aileen Taggart
It is with great sadness that we come to terms with the death of our dear friend and colleague Aileen Taggart, who passed away on 2nd May, after a long and inspiringly brave battle with cancer. Aileen’s funeral will take place at South Lanarkshire Crematorium on Monday, 13th May at 1.15 p.m. As a mark… Read more »
Best rural quality of life in Scotland
Residents of Aberdeenshire have the best quality of life of any rural area in Scotland, according to the latest Bank of Scotland Rural Areas Quality of Life Survey. The ranking means that Aberdeenshire has claimed the top spot for the fourth time since 2006, regaining the position it last held in 2010. The Shetland Islands… Read more »