Inheritance tax and retiring solo with AJ Bell's pension guru

This week Danni and Laura simplify the complicated rules and thresholds around inheritance tax. We also speak to Lisa Webster, AJ Bell's senior technical consultant, about how to prepare for retirement considering women tend to have longer lives than men. The gender pension gap affects single women the most, so what steps can you take now to look after future-you? Life has a particular way of throwing us curve balls, so hear our experts share their actionable tips, no matter your circumstances.

On the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast this week, Danni and Charlene discuss how the gender pension gap varies from state pension to private pensions, and why this matters for your retirement planning. We also speak to Chair of The 30% Club, Pavita Cooper, about how to get ahead in the workplace. She shares her top tips to gaining a promotion, insightful observations about social media's influence on our careers, and how she has sculpted a fulfilling career led by ambition and balanced with family commitments.

On this week's episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Laura and Danni discuss a whopping gender gap when parents gift money to their children, and why this strangely might not be such bad news. We also hear from Liz Dimmock, CEO and founder of mentoring enterprise Moving Ahead. From a corporate life to following her instincts, and now supporting women across the UK get the help they need to succeed, Liz shares her top tips plus some great money confessions. As a single mum, Liz also explains how she's learnt to let go of rigid planning and embrace change.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Danni and Laura discuss common financial changes in the summer months with both of them on the cusp of big life events. We also speak to Anna Hemmings, chief executive of our charity partner Smart Works. The mission? To support unemployed women across the UK who need help getting into work through coaching, clothing and confidence. Anna shares how she got the job herself and how to set yourself up for career success.

This week on the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Danni and Laura discuss parental leave with a focus on paternity pay as the government plans an overhaul that benefits not only the economy, but also women's wallets. We're also joined by our guest Funmi Olufunwa, a financial educator, qualified mortgage adviser and finance lawyer, who recently gave evidence to the Treasury Committee about the Lifetime ISA. We walk through the main features of the account, as well as recommendations from the Government on how it could be improved to ensure you get the most bang for your buck.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Danni and Laura discuss how to spot an investing scam and when a finfluencer's posts online are too good to be true. We also speak to best-selling author and life coach Linda Davies about her extraordinary life. She shares how she started out on Wall Street in the world of investment banking to save up to become a best-selling author, as well as how she overcame a kidnapping and breast cancer to fulfil her dream of becoming a life coach. Linda also shares her top tips to building a healthy view of money.

This week on the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Danni and Laura discuss new legislation being proposed around Buy Now Pay Later schemes. As these loans become increasingly popular, do consumers really understand what they're signing up for, and why has it taken so long for regulators to step in? We also hear from Troy Asset Management's Charlotte Yonge as we talk through how to focus on long-term views when markets (and headlines) are panicked. From doing your homework to diversification, Charlotte shares her top tips.

In this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, we talk about all things art with Jennifer Conner, UK Regional MD of the Affordable Art Fair. Jennifer shares her top art-buying tips, explains the story behind the Affordable Art Fair, and shares her one rule when buying art as an investment - you have to love it! Laura and Danni also de-jargon interest rates, breaking down the basics and explaining how the recent cut affects mortgages and savings.

On this week's episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters, Danni and Laura are celebrating World Earth Day with an episode all about investing for positive change. You might have heard the term ESG it stands for Environmental, Social and Governance but what does that actually mean when it comes to your money? From the basics of what ESG actually means to understanding what a sustainable fund manager weighs up when building their portfolio, we're peeling back the layers with the help of Schroder's Roberta Barr. The team also discuss the good news stories... plus a pension error which means some women are owed thousands.

In this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Danni and Laura hear from the team's children spanning from four to eighteen. We know money habits start early in life, so how do they feel about money, do they have any worries, and are we teaching good habits? Find out which kind of account grandparents and relatives can pay into to help boost your child's long-term finances. We also breakdown recent news of markets spiralling following President Trump's tariffs, and how to avoid making rash decisions which could impact your financial future.