QA46 - Listener Questions, Episode 46

About this episode

In this episode, Pete Matthew and Roger Weeks address listener questions regarding various financial strategies and decisions relevant to UK households.

In this Meaningful Money Q&A episode (QA46), Pete Matthew and Roger Weeks answer six listener questions on the financial decisions many UK households are wrestling with right now. We cover bridging the gap to the State Pension with fixed-term annuities, strategies for staying under £100,000 adjusted net income (and avoiding the 60% tax trap), and how LGPS "CARE" pensions work including whether salary sacrifice can reduce student loan repayments. There's also practical guidance for self-employed listeners facing a tough year and needing to cut costs, plus how to think about funding private school fees without derailing long-term plans. Finally, we discuss how to decide whether to take the maximum tax-free lump sum from a defined benefit pension, including the trade-offs and how to model the impact. Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/QA46 02:18 Question 1 Hi Pete & Roger, I am a long-time fan of your podcasts, and I often sneak off during the day for some peaceful R&R and listen to your latest release or even go back on old shows. My wife and I are in the fortunate position that we have both retired but still have a number of years before the state pension will commence…

People in this episode

Host: Pete Matthew

Guest: Roger Weeks

Topics covered

• listener questions
• financial decisions
• pension strategies
• self-employment
• inheritance
• tax planning

Keywords

• State Pension
• fixed-term annuities
• 60% tax trap
• LGPS CARE pensions
• salary sacrifice
• private school fees
• defined benefit pension

Mentioned in this episode

Places: UK

More episodes of The Meaningful Money Personal Finance Podcast

• QA47 - Listener Questions, Episode 47 · April 29, 2026 · 42 min
• QA45 - Listener Questions, Episode 45 · April 15, 2026 · 44 min
• Planning for Pensions and IHT · April 8, 2026 · 33 min
• QA44 - Listener Questions, Episode 44 · April 1, 2026 · 39 min
• QA43 - Listener Questions, Episode 43 · March 25, 2026 · 32 min
• QA42 - Listener Questions, Episode 42 · March 18, 2026 · 31 min