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Money Advice Service

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  • Life events
    • Leaving school or college
      Leaving school or college
      Help and advice on staying on in education, moving into work and paying your own way as a young adult
      • Teenage voices on first financial decisions
        Teenage voices on first financial decisions
        Hear what young people just like you have to say about how they are making their first financial decisions and how they are coping with the pressures and opportunities this brings.
      • Staying on in education
        Staying on in education
        Find out about student loans, bank accounts and how to manage your money when you leave school, become a student and after you graduate.
      • Moving into work
        Moving into work
        Learn about how you’re paid and taxed at work, plus we look at payslip basics
      • Saving and borrowing
        Saving and borrowing
        Get into the savings habit and learn about borrowing and credit basics
      • Independent living
        Independent living
        Advice on the best ways to pay bills, the cost of running a car and more
    • Setting up home
      Setting up home
      Deciding whether to rent or buy, working out what you can afford and managing money when sharing with others
      • Renting for the first time
        Renting for the first time
        How much rent can you afford, legal and financial responsibilities, budgeting and sharing costs
      • Buying for the first time
        Buying for the first time
        What will it cost and how much can you afford? Understanding and choosing a mortgage and help for first-time buyers
    • Having a baby
      Having a baby
      All things money-related - from bump to birth and beyond
      • Before the birth
        Before the birth
        Sorting out your money before the birth, benefits and entitlements for mums-to-be, plus how much is baby going to cost you?
      • Budgeting for a family
        Budgeting for a family
        How to organise your household budget now that you have less money coming in and more things to spend it on
      • New parents - don't split up over money
        New parents - don't split up over money
        A new baby on the scene can change your relationship and how you manage your money together - here's how to keep things on track
      • Maternity paternity or adoption pay and leave
        Maternity paternity or adoption pay and leave
        Do you qualify for pay and time off while you look after your baby, plus what happens to your pension while you're off work?
      • Benefits and entitlements for families
        Benefits and entitlements for families
        Child Benefit, tax credits, child maintenance and other financial help if you're on a low income or have a disabled child
      • Childcare
        Childcare
        What are your childcare options and how much do they all cost? Childcare vouchers, tax credits and other help you might get
      • Returning to work or study
        Returning to work or study
        Your rights to flexible working and parental leave when you go back to work; financial help if you're going back to college
      • Saving for your child's future
        Saving for your child's future
        Children's savings accounts, Junior ISAs, NS&I bonds for children, Child Trust Fund accounts and saving for school fees or uni
      • Planning to protect your family
        Planning to protect your family
        Review your insurance now you have a baby and make a will to protect your family in the long term
      • Money worries
        Money worries
        Thinking of borrowing money, how to pay less on your credit cards and other loans, plus help if you're struggling with debt
    • Losing your job
      Losing your job
      How to get your money under control when faced with redundancy or job loss
      • Redundancy - be prepared
        Redundancy - be prepared
        Managing money if your job is at risk, insuring yourself against redundancy and what to do if you're asked to work reduced hours
      • Your redundancy rights
        Your redundancy rights
        Redundancy advice and your legal rights, what process your employer must follow and how to tell if you've been a victim of unfair dismissal
      • Redundancy payments
        Redundancy payments
        Are you entitled to redundancy pay, how much will you get and will you have to pay tax on it?
      • Benefits and entitlements if you lose your job
        Benefits and entitlements if you lose your job
        Benefits and tax credits you can claim after losing your job, can you claim a tax rebate and what happens to your pension?
      • Budgeting when out of work
        Budgeting when out of work
        Use our out-of-work checklist to stay in control of your finances, plus how to make the most of your redundancy pay
      • Managing debt when out of work
        Managing debt when out of work
        How to review and prioritise your debts, how to start paying it off and where to get help if you're struggling with debt
      • Voluntary redundancy and early retirement
        Voluntary redundancy and early retirement
        Weigh up the pros and cons of voluntary redundancy and early retirement and consider the impact on your finances
      • Help with finding a job
        Help with finding a job
        CV advice, job searching and interview tips; plus where to go if you're thinking of a career change or starting a business
    • Becoming ill or disabled
      Becoming ill or disabled
      How to check what you're entitled to, manage your money and handle the extra costs associated with being ill or disabled
      • Managing money if you become ill or disabled
        Managing money if you become ill or disabled
        How to sort out your money and take control of your household budget
      • Disability and sickness benefits
        Disability and sickness benefits
        Make sure you're getting all your entitlements, including sick pay and state benefits
      • Managing the extra costs of illness or disability
        Managing the extra costs of illness or disability
        Support is available to help you meet the costs of your care, any disability aids and adaptations you need, and other costs
      • Managing and paying for your care
        Managing and paying for your care
        If you decide to manage your own personal care budget or employ a care assistant, here's what you need to know
      • Need someone to help you manage your money?
        Need someone to help you manage your money?
        Different arrangements for getting someone else to help you with your money
      • Sorting out money if you're dying
        Sorting out money if you're dying
        Putting your affairs in order and appointing someone formally to help you in the future
    • Divorce and separation
      Divorce and separation
      Practical information to help you sort out finances if going through or thinking about divorce or separation
      • Going ahead with divorce or separation
        Going ahead with divorce or separation
        Financial, legal and other considerations when splitting up from your partner
      • Spousal maintenance
        Spousal maintenance
        How spousal maintenance is worked out, for how long and whether to insure payments
      • Children and separation
        Children and separation
        Child maintenance, state entitlements, planning for changes and sorting out children’s savings
      • Your home when you separate
        Your home when you separate
        Your rights regarding the home when you separate from your partner
      • Dividing up what you own
        Dividing up what you own
        Dividing assets fairly – from property, possessions or a business to pets, pensions, investments and inheritances
    • Retirement
      Retirement
      As retirement nears there are big decisions to make, such as what kind of annuity to shop around for - we explain it all
    • Long-term care
      Long-term care
      Do you qualify for help with care costs? Plus how to choose and fund your own long-term care
      • Funding your long-term care
        Funding your long-term care
        Help through the funding maze - do you qualify for NHS or local authority funding, and what are your self-funding options
      • Local authority funding
        Local authority funding
        Local authority long-term care assessment and means tests and what to do if you disagree with the council's decision
      • Direct payments
        Direct payments
        You've been offered control of your own care budget - here are the pros and cons of managing direct payments to pay for your care
      • Self funding long-term care
        Self funding long-term care
        We review some of your options including annuities, downsizing your home, equity release schemes, and investment bonds
      • Choosing the right care services
        Choosing the right care services
        Help with key decisions - whether to arrange care in your own home or move into care home and how to choose the right one
      • Problems with your care
        Problems with your care
        What to do if you're unhappy with your care, how to complain and appeal and what to do if your money is running out
      • Money advice for carers
        Money advice for carers
        Benefits, tax credits and support services available to carers; plus how to help the person you're caring for with their money
    • When someone dies
      When someone dies
      Dealing with money after a death - from paying for the funeral to looking after the paperwork and household finances
      • The first few days after a death
        The first few days after a death
        What to do and who to contact when someone dies, plus arranging and paying for a funeral
      • Dealing with someone's estate
        Dealing with someone's estate
        How to sort out and value someone's estate, including debts, tax, pensions and anything else they may have left
      • Managing money after your partner dies
        Managing money after your partner dies
        Here's how to draw up a budget and get on top of all the bills, bank accounts, benefits and payments for the first time
      • Planning ahead after a bereavement
        Planning ahead after a bereavement
        When you're ready look ahead, find out more about savings and investments, reviewing your pension and revising your will
  • Managing your money
    • Managing your money better
      Managing your money better
      How to take control of your money, make ends meet and make better financial decisions
      • Budgeting and taking control
        Budgeting and taking control
        Budgeting and planning your finances including easy-to-use tools to help you get started
      • Start saving
        Start saving
        Why it pays to save regularly, how to set a savings goal and planning for the longer term
      • Low income survival tips
        Low income survival tips
        Tips and tools to help you find ways to make your money go further each month
      • Should you borrow or save or repay
        Should you borrow or save or repay
        The save or borrow trade-off, why it’s important to clear your debts and what to think about before repaying your mortgage
    • How to review or reduce borrowing
      How to review or reduce borrowing
      Tips on cutting the cost of card debt, personal loans, car finance, catalogue or HP agreements and mortgage payments
    • Money saving tips
      Money saving tips
      No-nonsense tips to help you save money around the home and when out and about
      • Save on utilities and phone bills
        Save on utilities and phone bills
        Tips and strategies to help you cut costs on water, gas and electricity, home phone, broadband and mobile phone
      • Shop smartly and save
        Shop smartly and save
        Buy for less by comparing deals online - save on your weekly shop, purchases for the home and holidays
      • More ways to save money
        More ways to save money
        Cut down on car and travel costs
    • Universal Credit and other benefits
      Universal Credit and other benefits
      How to get ready for Universal Credit and manage your money better when your benefits are changing
      • Universal Credit
        Universal Credit
        What is Universal Credit? When will you be affected? And how to get ready for it - including help with managing your money and budgeting for a monthly Universal Credit payment
      • Other benefits
        Other benefits
        Check all the benefits you’re entitled to, plus how you might be affected by the benefit changes that are being introduced
    • Work and money
      Work and money
      Pay, tax and benefits decisions you may have to take at work or when you work for yourself
      • Pay and benefits
        Pay and benefits
        Checking your options for pay, tax and benefits as an employee or agency worker
      • Pensions in the workplace
        Pensions in the workplace
        Preparing for changes to workplace pensions and understanding about tax relief on pension contributions
      • Maternity and paternity rights
        Maternity and paternity rights
        Understanding your childcare options and entitlements to maternity and paternity pay and leave
      • Working for yourself
        Working for yourself
        Checking your options for pay, tax, insurance and pensions as a self-employed person
    • Bank accounts and credit or debit cards
      Bank accounts and credit or debit cards
      Choosing and using an account or card, fees to watch out for and how to avoid running up debts
      • Choosing the right account
        Choosing the right account
        Types of bank account and how to choose the right one for you
      • Managing your bank account
        Managing your bank account
        Making and receiving payments, how to use overdrafts wisely, avoiding or dealing with bank charges
      • Travel money or sending money overseas
        Travel money or sending money overseas
        Buying foreign currency, cheap cards to use abroad and choosing the best way to send money overseas
      • Lost accounts
        Lost accounts
        Trace lost bank accounts, lost savings accounts or Premium Bonds
      • Credit and debit cards
        Credit and debit cards
        Credit, debit, store cards and prepaid cards - how to choose the right one, fees and charges and how to avoid running up debts
    • Scams and identity theft
      Scams and identity theft
      How to shop safely online, protecting yourself from scams or identify theft and what to do if you're a victim
    • Money complaints and compensation
      Money complaints and compensation
      Your rights and how to complain - unfair treatment or mis-selling, financial compensation if your bank or provider goes bust
    • Financial help and advice
      Financial help and advice
      Choosing and using a financial adviser and where to get free financial advice
    • Help someone else with money
      Help someone else with money
      Formal and informal help including power of attorney, trusts and permanent arrangements
      • Helping others manage money
        Helping others manage money
        Informally helping someone deal with their finances and what to do if you think they need formal help
      • Power of attorney and ongoing help
        Power of attorney and ongoing help
        Options for helping with money when someone can't make their own financial decisions including power of attorney and trusts
      • Problems when helping others with money
        Problems when helping others with money
        Resolving problems when helping someone else or if you're unhappy with an attorney or trustee's actions
    • Wills and estate planning
      Wills and estate planning
      Why you need a will, making or changing a will, Inheritance Tax and estate planning
      • Why you need a will
        Why you need a will
        Why it's important to make a will, how to prepare one and what happens if you don't
      • Making or changing a will
        Making or changing a will
        Planning your will - DIY, use a solicitor or will writing service, storing and updating wills
      • Planning your estate
        Planning your estate
        When Inheritance Tax is due on what you leave behind and legal ways to reduce or avoid it
  • Money topics
    • Saving and investing
      Saving and investing
      Planning your saving and investing, popular savings and investments at a glance and how to make the most of what you have
      • How to set a savings goal
        How to set a savings goal
        Find out how saving for a big purchase can help make subsequent payments smaller.
      • Planning your savings
        Planning your savings
        The benefits of saving regularly, how to set a savings goal and prioritising what you save for.
      • Stocks shares ISAs and other popular investments
        Stocks shares ISAs and other popular investments
        Stocks and shares, ISAs, unit trusts, OEICs, gilts, corporate bonds, structured products, investment trusts, more
      • Planning your investments
        Planning your investments
        From investing basics to planning and implementation - all you need to know
      • Endowments and other life insurance investments
        Endowments and other life insurance investments
        Endowments, investment bonds, whole of life, with-profits polices - key features and costs
      • Property investments
        Property investments
        Buy-to-let or indirect property investment through funds - how it works, tax and risk versus reward
      • Put your investment plans into practice
        Put your investment plans into practice
        How to choose and buy savings and investment - DIY options or getting advice
      • Alternative investments
        Alternative investments
        Art, fine wine and other collectibles, withdrawable share capital, spread betting, contracts for difference, hedge funds
      • Choosing where to put your money
        Choosing where to put your money
        Tips for choosing savings and investments, what to think about for a lump sum, toxic or risky investments to avoid
      • Cash savings options
        Cash savings options
        At a glance - savings accounts and savings bonds, Cash ISAs, Credit Union savings, Sharia compliant, Premium Bonds, more
      • Children and saving
        Children and saving
        Children's savings options, getting your kids into the saving habit and saving for your children's school fees
      • Reviewing your savings and investments
        Reviewing your savings and investments
        Why it pays to review your savings and investments each year - and when and how to do it
      • Savings and investments to avoid
        Savings and investments to avoid
        High risk or toxic savings and investment products to be aware of
      • If things go wrong
        If things go wrong
        How to complain about poor service, what happens if your provider goes bust, and when you may be entitled to compensation
    • Borrowing money
      Borrowing money
      The right borrowing option depends on how much you want to borrow and how long you need it for
      • Before you borrow money
        Before you borrow money
        Things to do before you borrow - including checking your other options and working out a repayment plan
      • Overdrafts and personal loans
        Overdrafts and personal loans
        How overdrafts and personal loans work and how to avoid paying more than you need to
      • Applying for credit
        Applying for credit
        Checking your credit report, how to improve your credit rating; plus where to go if you've been refused credit
      • Credit cards and store cards
        Credit cards and store cards
        Choosing and applying for a credit or store card, how to use comparison tables, manage your cards and balance transfers
      • Buy now pay later
        Buy now pay later
        In-store finance, catalogue finance and car finance deals - make sure you know the real cost
      • Social Fund and Credit Union loans
        Social Fund and Credit Union loans
        Find out more about credit unions, the Social Fund and Rotating Savings and Credit Associations
      • Staying on top of your borrowing
        Staying on top of your borrowing
        How to avoid high fees and the hidden costs of borrowing, then take action to start reducing your debt
      • Last resort borrowing
        Last resort borrowing
        Doorstep lenders, logbook loans, pawnbrokers, payday loans, second-charge mortgages, Social Fund loans and avoiding loan sharks
      • Problems with borrowing
        Problems with borrowing
        Can't get credit or struggling to meet your repayments? Help is at hand
    • Debt management
      Debt management
      How to prioritise and reduce your debts, deal with late payment demands and where to get free debt advice
      • Rearranging debts to cut costs
        Rearranging debts to cut costs
        Review and prioritise your debts and reduce the cost of your card, loans and other borrowing
      • Your credit rating
        Your credit rating
        How your credit rating affects your borrowing costs and how to rebuild a poor credit rating after being in debt
      • If you've been refused credit
        If you've been refused credit
        Why you might be refused credit and what to do next
      • Help if struggling with debt
        Help if struggling with debt
        Where to get free debt advice, debt action plans and other tips to help you get in control
      • Late payment letters and notices
        Late payment letters and notices
        How to deal with CCJs, enforcement notices and late payment demands and where to get free advice
      • Dealing with debt disputes
        Dealing with debt disputes
        Reclaiming unfair charges and where to get legal help if in debt
      • Options for writing off debt
        Options for writing off debt
        What your options are in different parts of the UK
    • Homes and mortgages
      Homes and mortgages
      Mortgages and buying property, renting a property or letting out your home - practical, impartial advice
      • Mortgages and buying property
        Mortgages and buying property
        Overall buying costs, choosing an affordable mortgage, Right to Buy and first-time buyer schemes, remortgaging, mortgage problems
        • Interest-only mortgages
          Interest-only mortgages
          Here is our collection of calculators, guides and comparison tables to help you with your interest-only mortgage
        • Buying property - what can you afford?
          Buying property - what can you afford?
          Overall buying and moving costs, money timeline when buying, tips and tools to help you work out what you can afford
        • Understanding mortgages
          Understanding mortgages
          How the different mortgage and interest rate types work, pros and cons and associated fees and costs
        • Choosing the right mortgage
          Choosing the right mortgage
          How to shop around for a mortgage, choosing and using a mortgage broker, understanding mortgage paperwork
        • Affordable housing schemes
          Affordable housing schemes
          Shared ownership, right-to-buy and other new build schemes to help you onto the property ladder
        • Legal aspects of owning property
          Legal aspects of owning property
          Leasehold or freehold – understand the differences and the financial implications
        • Reviewing or moving your mortgage
          Reviewing or moving your mortgage
          Why it pays to review your mortgage regularly, remortgaging to cut costs, further advances and payment holidays
        • Mortgage problems or arrears
          Mortgage problems or arrears
          Advice and help if you can't pay your mortgage or have been threatened with repossession, endowment shortfalls, more
        • Mortgage mis-selling
          Mortgage mis-selling
          What to do if you think you were mis-sold an endowment mortgage or any other type of mortgage
      • Renting a property
        Renting a property
        How much rent can you afford, legal and financial responsibilities when renting, budgeting and sharing costs
      • Letting out your property
        Letting out your property
        Legal and financial responsibilities for landlords and how the Rent a Room scheme works if letting a room in your home
    • Insurance
      Insurance
      There's more to buying insurance than finding the cheapest quote - make sure you spend your money wisely
      • New to insurance
        New to insurance
        Not sure what insurance you need? Find out what each type covers, things to watch out for and when to use a broker and when to DIY
      • Home insurance
        Home insurance
        Buildings and contents insurance - do you need it, how to make sure you get the right cover and tips for shopping around
      • Car insurance
        Car insurance
        Choosing the right level of cover, getting the best deal and tips for young drivers
      • Travel insurance
        Travel insurance
        Don't just go for the cheapest travel insurance policy - find out what cover you need and where to get it at the best price
      • Protecting your family or dependants
        Protecting your family or dependants
        Life insurance, critical illness, private medical cover and dental insurance - do you need them and how to get the best policy
      • Protecting your income or borrowing
        Protecting your income or borrowing
        Income protection insurance and payment protection insurance (PPI) - do you need them and what does a good policy look like?
      • Making an insurance claim
        Making an insurance claim
        How to claim, what to do if your claim is rejected and how to complain about an insurance company
      • Pet insurance
        Pet insurance
        Do you need pet insurance and how to make sure you get the right policy
      • Payment protection insurance
        Payment protection insurance
        If you are making a choice about payment protection insurance (PPI), make sure you are fully armed. Find out everything you need to know, right here.
    • Pensions and retirement
      Pensions and retirement
      How and when to start saving for a pension, getting the most from your pension fund and managing your money in retirement
      • Saving into a pension for the first time
        Saving into a pension for the first time
        All you need to get started, including a ready reckoner that estimates how much you should be saving each month
      • Types of pension
        Types of pension
        State pension, workplace pensions and personal pensions - an overview of how each works
      • Review the health of your pension savings
        Review the health of your pension savings
        Use our step-by-step guidance to set your retirement income goal and check your progress towards it
      • Pensions and tax
        Pensions and tax
        Tax relief on money you save into your pension, how your pension income is taxed and the lifetime allowance
      • Approaching retirement
        Approaching retirement
        As retirement nears there are big decisions to make, such as what kind of annuity to shop around for - we explain it all
      • Transferring between pension schemes
        Transferring between pension schemes
        How to transfer pensions between providers, for example if you want to merge different pension pots you've built up
      • Managing your finances in retirement
        Managing your finances in retirement
        Retirement can bring significant changes to your income and your outgoings and your entitlement to government benefits
      • Using your home to generate retirement income
        Using your home to generate retirement income
        Whether or not you own your home you can use it to boost your income, for example through equity release or renting a room
      • Automatic enrolment
        Automatic enrolment
        Gradually all employers will be required to save into their workers' pension schemes
      • Benefits and tax in retirement
        Benefits and tax in retirement
        Your State Pension entitlement, Pension Credit if you're on a low income, tax and age-related allowances in retirement
      • Choosing a pension
        Choosing a pension
        Read our top tips for choosing pensions and find out about buying a pension and getting financial advice
      • Events that may affect your pension
        Events that may affect your pension
        Be aware of the possible effects on your pension of events including parenthood, divorce, redundancy and retiring abroad
      • Taking income from your pension
        Taking income from your pension
        We walk you through all the options, including cash lump sums and all the different types of annuity you can buy
      • Getting help with pensions
        Getting help with pensions
        Where to go for advice about pensions, and what to do if you want to complain about a pension provider or adviser
  • Tools & resources
    • Budget planner
      Budget planner
      Use this planner to work out how much money you have coming in and what you're spending it on
    • Money Health Check
      Money Health Check
      Join over half a million people who have taken our online Money Health Check and start to make the most of your money today
    • Action plans
      Action plans
      Take control of your finances and get motivated to tackle life's money matters by following our action plans.
      • Action plans - Homes and mortgages
        Action plans - Homes and mortgages
        Whether you're looking to rent or buy, get tips and advice on taking the right steps with our action plans.
      • Action plans - Insurance
        Action plans - Insurance
        Find out if you need insurance and solve problems with existing policies using our step-by-step plans.
      • Action plans - Savings and investments
        Action plans - Savings and investments
        Take your first steps towards saving and investing or make the most of existing savings with these simple action plans.
      • Action plans - Pensions
        Action plans - Pensions
        Whether you're being enrolled into a workplace pension for the first time or working out your retirement income, find out all the steps you need to take with our useful action plans.
      • Action plans - Losing your job
        Action plans - Losing your job
        Find out what to do to protect your finances if you have lost your job, or if you think you might be made redundant.
      • Action plans - Having a baby
        Action plans - Having a baby
        Get help and advice with working out the cost of having a baby and find out what you're entitled to both before and after the birth.
      • Action plans - Managing your money
        Action plans - Managing your money
        Take control of your finances and follow simple steps towards managing your money with our action plans.
      • Action plans - Managing on a low income
        Action plans - Managing on a low income
        Take simple steps to make ends meet when you're on a tight budget and make your money go further with these action plans.
      • Action plans - Managing your bank account
        Action plans - Managing your bank account
        Check if your bank account is right for you, find out more about Universal Credit and learn how to open your first account with our action plans.
    • Calculators
      Calculators
      Our easy-to-use calculators can help you budget, save and cut back on costs
    • Comparison tables
      Comparison tables
      Use our impartial comparison tables to search for credit cards, mortgages and savings accounts
    • Letter templates
      Letter templates
      Our easy-to-use letter templates are here to help you if you need to set up, cancel or complain about something
    • Order forms
      Order forms
      Use these forms to order our free printed guides, which give you clear, unbiased information and advice in Plain English
    • Free printed guides
      Free printed guides
      Read our free printed guides, which give you clear, unbiased information and advice in Plain English
    • Videos
      Videos
      See our videos, covering subjects such as insurance, retirement savings and inflation
    • Workplace pension advice tool
      Workplace pension advice tool
      Workplace pensions are changing. Use our tool to see if saving in a workplace pension is right for you
    • Interactive timelines
      Interactive timelines
      Explore our money timelines so you know the actions to take and things that could affect your income
  • News & features
    • Credit and borrowing
    • Mortgages
    • Investments
    • Retirement
    • Savings
    • Tips and tools
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