Financial Illumination

What do the upcoming ISA changes mean for your savings and investments? And what should you be thinking about before April 2027?
 
In this episode of Financial Illumination, James Corcoran is joined by Jack Dudley from Lumin Wealth to break down the latest changes affecting Cash ISAs, Stocks & Shares ISAs and General Investment Accounts, and what they could mean for your long-term financial planning.
 
The conversation explores the proposed reduction in the Cash ISA allowance from £20,000 to £12,000 for under-65s from April 2027, the taxation of interest earned on cash funds held within investment ISAs, and why more people may need to think carefully about how they structure their savings and investments.
 
James and Jack also discuss:
• Cash ISAs vs Stocks & Shares ISAs• How to make the most of your ISA allowance• What happens when you have used your ISA and pension allowances• How General Investment Accounts (GIAs) work• Capital gains tax and the £3,000 annual allowance• Using allowances between spouses and civil partners• Tax-efficient investment strategies• Why you shouldn't let tax considerations dictate your entire investment strategy• The importance of matching your investments to your financial goals and timeframe• Why having a clear financial plan matters when legislation keeps changing
 
Whether you're approaching retirement, building your long-term investments, or simply trying to understand how the latest UK ISA and tax changes could affect you, this episode offers an accessible overview of the key issues to consider.
 
Please note that the content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. As always, your capital is at risk when investing.
 
Lumin is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
 
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Investing isn’t just about picking the right investments, it’s about avoiding the costly mistakes that can quietly erode your returns.
In this episode of Financial Illumination, Senior Financial Consultant, Sara Moore is joined by Financial Consultant, Kris Fisher, to explore some of the most common investment mistakes – from trying to time the market and making emotional decisions, to following social media trends without doing your own research. They discuss why diversification matters, how fees can eat into long-term returns, and why sometimes the best strategy during market volatility is to simply do nothing at all.
Please note that the content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. As always, your capital is at risk when investing.
Lumin is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

What if a Whole-of-Life insurance and annuity could help fund an Inheritance Tax (IHT) bill? As more families become affected by IHT – and with pensions set to form part of your estate for IHT purposes from April 2027 – planning ahead has never been more important. In this episode, hosts Harvey Armstrong and Alan Pereira explore how Whole-of-Life insurance and annuity strategies can help provide funds to meet an IHT bill, protecting more of your wealth for future generations. They also discuss why cash flow planning is essential and whether the insurance strategy is right for you.
Please note that the content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. As always, your capital is at risk when investing.
Lumin is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Pension death benefits are one of the most valuable, and least understood, aspects of financial planning. With around 35% of UK wealth held in pensions, they play a major role in how wealth is passed between generations, yet many people are unaware that pension benefits often sit outside of their Will.
In this episode, Financial Consultant, Israel Babatunde, explains what pension death benefits are, dispels some of the most common misconceptions, and discusses why beneficiary nomination forms are just as important as having an up-to-date Will. He also explores how Defined Contribution pensions are structured, the role of pension trustees, when you should review your nominations, and the tax considerations surrounding inherited pensions, including the upcoming Inheritance Tax (IHT) changes from April 2027.
Please note that the content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. As always, your capital is at risk when investing.
Lumin is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Equity release is becoming an increasingly important part of later-life financial planning, particularly as rising property wealth and upcoming inheritance tax changes prompt more people to consider how best to use the value tied up in their homes. However, it's a financial planning topic that is often misunderstood. In this episode of ‘Financial Illumination’, Financial Consultant and Equity Release expert, Sara Moore is joined by Financial Consultant, Kris Fisher, to unpack what equity release is, how it works, and whether it could be the right option for you or your family.
They explore the two main types of equity release, along with the repayment options, flexibility, risks, and borrowing limits of modern products. Sara also discusses how equity release can support estate and Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning, including gifting to children in light of upcoming Inheritance Tax (IHT) changes, and explains why seeking regulated financial advice is essential before making any decisions.
Please note that the content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. As always, your capital is at risk when investing.
Lumin is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

More people than ever are holding large amounts of cash, often without realising that inflation and taxes can steadily erode its value over time. In this episode, Harvey Armstrong and Alan Pereira explore the hidden costs of keeping too much money in cash and explain why investing can be a powerful tool for building and preserving long-term wealth.
They discuss the key differences between cash and investments, how inflation impacts purchasing power, and the potential benefits of putting your money to work in the markets. Whether you're a cautious saver or looking to make your money work harder, this episode provides practical insights to help you make more informed financial decisions.
Please note that the content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. As always, your capital is at risk when investing.
Lumin is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Could gifting now save your family thousands in Inheritance Tax (IHT) later? In this episode, hosts James Corcoran and Jack Dudley explore how gifting can form part of an effective Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning strategy. They discuss the different gifting options available, how to assess whether you can genuinely afford to gift, and the impact retirement and long-term care costs, for example, can have on these decisions.
They also cover the emotional side of handing over wealth, the potential risks and pitfalls, and the key considerations when deciding whether gifting is the right move for you and your family.
Please note that the content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. As always, your capital is at risk when investing.
Lumin is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Investors are increasingly considering whether ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) solutions should form part of their portfolio, drawn by the prospect of having a positive impact on society and the environment. But while these messages are compelling, it is crucial to separate fact from fiction. In this episode of Financial Illumination, host James Corcoran is joined by Investment Manager Jordan Donaldson, to discuss the latest findings of Lumin's latest ESG study. They discuss what ESG is and go on to unpack some commonly cited claims about ESG investing, by assessing the ESG characteristics of low-cost equity Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).
To download the full study, visit www.luminwealth.co.uk/downloads/esg-study
Please note that the content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. As always, your capital is at risk when investing.
Lumin is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Recent events in the Middle East have understandably unsettled investors. But history consistently reminds us of one important truth: investors who stay diversified and ride out volatility are often the ones who come out ahead. In this episode of Financial Illumination, James Corcoran and Jack Dudley unpack the latest geopolitical developments and the importance of staying invested during uncertain times. They explain why reacting emotionally to headlines can undermine long-term returns and how maintaining a disciplined, long-term strategy has consistently proven to be the more effective approach.
Please note that the content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. As always, your capital is at risk when investing.
Lumin is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Pensions have long been a cornerstone of legacy and estate planning. But with pensions falling into the Inheritance Tax (IHT) net from April 2027, all of that will change. In this episode, host James Corcoran is joined by Israel Babatunde who breaks down what the policy changes in April 2027 will entail, and the solutions people can adopt to protect their pensions and their legacy.
Please note that the content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. As always, your capital is at risk when investing.
Lumin is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.