Retirement Lounge Podcast

With the October 2026 Budget getting closer, the headlines and rumours are starting to build. So what is Nick actually reading and which themes appear to be gaining momentum? In this episode of The Retirement Lounge , Nick revisits the Budget speculation and shares the stories, rumours and developments that have caught his attention in recent weeks. He looks at everything from potential changes to...

Finding a care home for a parent or loved one can feel overwhelming. You may have only a few weeks to understand the system, work out what type of care is needed, compare different homes and make a decision at a time when emotions are already running high. In this episode of The Retirement Lounge , Nick is joined by Debbie Harris, founder of Autumna , to talk through how families can approach one...

With the Autumn Budget set for  28th October 2026 , speculation is already beginning about what could be announced. But how much attention should you really pay to the headlines? In this episode of The Retirement Lounge , Nick looks at 10 big themes he has seen trending in the press and considers what they could mean for people approaching or already in retirement. From capital gains tax and pensi...

Retirement planning is often dominated by one question: Will I have enough money? But what happens once the finances are in place? In this episode of The Retirement Lounge , Nick is joined by Clare Lyons-Collins from We-Pivot , an occupational therapist specialising in retirement and major life transitions. Together, they explore why retirement is about far more than pensions, investments and inco...

Do you need private healthcare in retirement — or is relying on the NHS and paying privately when needed enough? In this episode of The Retirement Lounge , Nick is joined by Laura Ashforth, CEO and Co-Founder of Lateral , a health insurer designed specifically for active over-60s. They explore why healthcare is becoming an increasingly important part of retirement planning, particularly for people...

For many people, retirement is seen as the finish line, a time to stop working and finally relax. But is that really what retirement is? In this episode of The Retirement Lounge , Nick explores why retirement means something different for everyone and why the happiest retirees aren't always the wealthiest. Instead, they're often the people who've found purpose, freedom and fulfilment beyond their...

Financial planning isn't just about investments, pensions or achieving the highest possible returns. In this episode, Nick explores why the best financial advice is often about something much deeper: helping people make better decisions. Drawing on an award-winning approach to retirement planning and a fascinating behavioural science research paper, Nick explains why emotions, habits and psycholog...

The pension inheritance tax changes coming in April 2027 are some of the biggest changes to retirement planning in years—but many people still aren't sure what they actually mean. In this episode, Nick explains the new rules in plain English, looks back at how pension freedoms changed retirement planning in 2015, and explores why these latest changes matter for anyone with a pension. You'll learn:...

Following their appearance together on the Martin Lewis Money Show Pensions Special, Nick is joined by Charlene Young, Senior Pensions and Savings Expert at AJ Bell and the Telegraph's "Pensions Doctor". With major changes to the inheritance tax treatment of pensions due from April 2027, many people are questioning whether their retirement plans still make sense. In this episode, Nick and Charlene...

The latest Retirement Living Standards report suggests millions of people across the UK could be under-saving for retirement. In this episode, Nick breaks down the latest findings, explores what a minimum, moderate and comfortable retirement actually costs in 2025, and discusses why so many people may be underestimating both how much they need and how long their money needs to last. Nick also shar...

Following on from last week's episode, Pension Truths I Couldn't Explain On The Martin Lewis Show , Nick returns to answer some of the biggest pension and retirement questions submitted after the broadcast. With thousands of questions sent into the Martin Lewis Money Show Live , there simply wasn't enough time to cover everything properly on air. In this follow-up episode, Nick explores: How much...

This week, Nick reflects on his appearance on the Martin Lewis Money Show Live and shares the pension conversations he didn't have time to fully explain on air. With only short, concise answers possible during the live ITV broadcast, this episode dives deeper into three of the biggest pension mistakes Nick regularly sees people make approaching retirement. A practical and thought-provoking episode...

Most people spend years focusing on how to build their pension. Far fewer spend time thinking about how to turn that pension into an income that lasts. In this episode, Nick is joined by Joanne Coan from L&G to explore one of the most important and often most overlooked, parts of retirement planning: decumulation . It's a practical, thoughtful conversation for anyone approaching retirement and won...

Most people think a dementia diagnosis means life has to become smaller. In this episode, Nick is joined by Fiona Pettit , who leads Dementia Adventure , a charity helping people with dementia and their carers stay connected to the outdoors, to nature, and to a sense of possibility. They explore: Why dementia can make the world feel smaller. How outdoor experiences can support wellbeing, confidenc...

Power of Attorney is something many clients have in place, but how well is it really understood? In this episode, Nick sits down with solicitor Anne Call from Blandy & Blandy Soliccitors to explore the key differences between older and newer Powers of Attorney, where things can go wrong, and what advisers should be aware of when supporting clients through these decisions. This episode is part of o...

With headlines dominated by geopolitical tension and dramatic market reporting, it can feel like markets are in constant crisis. But are they really? In this short "in-between" episode of The Retirement Lounge, Nick takes a step back from the noise and examines how headlines can distort reality. After seeing reports claiming "$6 trillion wiped off global markets" , Nick looks at the actual numbers...

After nearly a year of The Retirement Lounge, Nick introduces a new Educational Series,  designed to simplify financial concepts that are often misunderstood. In this first instalment, he tackles one of the most confused terms in investing: What's the difference between risk and volatility? They're often used interchangeably, by investors, the media, even regulators. But they are not the same thin...

Most retirement conversations focus on what you should be doing. In this episode, Nick flips the script. He shares the most common and costly mistakes people make before and during retirement. Nick also explains why small oversights from pension charges to outdated nomination forms, can have a significant long-term impact. If you're approaching retirement (or already there), this episode is a prac...

One of the most common questions Nick is asked as a financial planner is: Should you consolidate your pensions? In this episode of  The Retirement Lounge , Nick walks through the pros and cons of pension consolidation , helping you understand when it can make sense and when it could be a costly mistake. This episode isn't advice, but it will help you ask better questions and understand what to loo...

Every year, financial analysts, commentators, and experts make bold predictions about markets, the economy, and what's coming next. But how accurate are they really? In this episode of The Retirement Lounge , Nick is joined by three rock wealth advisers, Tim Horrocks, Chris Wallsgrove, and David Bowen,  to make their own tongue-in-cheek predictions for the year ahead. From stock markets to sportin...

Generation X is approaching retirement differently from any generation before them. In this episode of The Retirement Lounge , Nick is joined by Martin Lines , Development and Events Director at Just, to explore how Gen X is navigating retirement while balancing work, family, and caring responsibilities. This is a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about what retirement really looks like today...

Retirement is often seen as a finish line, but for many people, it's the start of a completely new chapter. In this episode of The Retirement Lounge , Nick is joined by Jane Parslow , co-founder of Retirement Pathways , to explore the emotional and psychological side of retiring, the part that often gets overlooked. Together, they discuss why retirement can feel disorientating after the initial "h...

Talking about death isn't easy, but planning for it can be one of the kindest things you ever do. In this episode, Nick shares how creating a  When I Die File can give your loved ones comfort, clarity, and practical support when they'll need it most. He walks through what to include, from wills and bank accounts to personal letters and funeral wishes, and why this simple act of preparation can sav...

What do people regret most about retirement and how can you avoid the same mistakes? In this episode, Nick unpacks findings from a recent  Which? survey revealing the most common retirement regrets. From not saving early enough to leaving work too soon (or too late), he explores what these lessons mean for anyone approaching retirement today. This episode blends numbers, real stories, and experien...

Not everyone is racing to retire, in fact, more people than ever are choosing to keep working beyond pension age. In this solo episode, Nick asks the question: Is retirement really for you? He explores why more baby boomers are working into later life, what's driving the rise in "flexi-retirement," and how pension freedoms have made it easier to work on your own terms. Whether you're dreaming of f...