Money Talks: The 5 State Pension questions every adviser must master
The State Pension is often treated as a simple guaranteed income, but client questions frequently hide intricate technical planning issues. In this episode of Money Talks, host Kimberley Dondo is joined by Royal London’s Craig Muir and Justin Corliss to explore the reality behind five of the most common client queries. They break down why annual forecast figures vary between government departments, the hidden impact of pre-2016 contracting out, and how to navigate changing State Pension ages. The conversation also covers the arithmetic behind voluntary Class 3 National Insurance contributions versus free credits, the nuances of pension deferral, tax friction in year one of retirement, and how to safeguard survivor income against the loss of individual entitlement on first death. Tune in to hear how to move beyond basic forecasts and turn everyday State Pension enquiries into robust, value-adding retirement strategies.

