The Morning Briefing: Last chance to enter the Young Financial Planner Awards 2026
Good morning and welcome to your Morning Briefing for Friday 9 July 2026. To get this in your inbox every morning click here.
Last chance to enter the Young Financial Planner Awards 2026
Today marks the final deadline to submit entries for Money Marketing’s Young Financial Planner Awards 2026, giving firms and individuals one last chance to get their nominations in.
The awards recognise outstanding young professionals working across financial planning, including advisers, paraplanners, administrators, marketers, and specialist support roles.
TUNE IN: Nuala Walsh on Overcoming ‘Deaf Spots’ in Leadership
Are wealth management leaders missing critical market signals? At the PIMFA Women’s Symposium, Kimberley Dondo interviews behavioural scientist and author Nuala Walsh to break down the concept of “deaf spots” in corporate decision-making. Learn how female leaders can cut through the noise of AI hype, leverage the “power of no”, and make sharper choices in a chaotic market.
Royal London: Key pension planning changes for 2027–2029
The next three years will bring significant changes to UK pensions, affecting death benefits, the normal minimum pension age (NMPA) and salary sacrifice.
These reforms are likely to have a direct impact on suitability reports, cashflow planning, estate planning and client queries. This article explores the key changes and highlights the most important planning considerations.
Quote Of The Day
In the longer-term, and well before any future state pension rises, we need the government to take a joined-up approach across pensions, work, benefits, and health, to ensure that the mid-60s is not a period of heightened financial precarity for growing numbers of older people
–Dr Andrea Barry, Deputy Director for Work at the Centre for Ageing Better
Stat Attack
More than a third (36%) of UK adults believe inheritance should never be relied upon when planning for retirement, according to new research from Moneybox.
The study, which looks at the psychology of retirement, highlights a significant inheritance blind spot among UK adults who are banking on family wealth without open discussion. It shows:
20%
of UK adults expect to use an inheritance to help fund their retirement.
£56,535
is the average anticipated inheritance expected by those counting on a windfall.
46%
of those expecting an inheritance have actually broached the topic with loved ones.
22%
admit they have never had the conversation but still assume they will inherit money.
15%
say discussing the topic feels too awkward to bring up with family members.
Source: Moneybox
In Other News
Standard Life has enhanced its Retirement Income Tool to help scheme members model the impact of career breaks and part-time work on pension savings.
Available via its app, the tool tracks how reduced hours affect contributions. It allows users to input working patterns, map changes, and compare projected retirement income while factoring in the State Pension.
Standard Life analysis reveals women are disproportionately hit by life events, with mid-life men contributing 50% more per month (£80) than women.
Emma Furlonger, interim managing director for workplace and retail intermediary at Standard Life, said the tool helps members understand choices and bridge potential shortfalls.
Quilter Financial Planning has welcomed Bellshill-based SRB Financial Planning to its advice network as a new strategic partner firm.Run by Steve Brough, the family-run firm has three advisers and £250m assets under advice. Recently rebranded from SRB Wealth Management, the firm has focused on holistic long-term financial planning since 2010.
Warren Vickers, managing director of Quilter Financial Planning, said strategic partners combine strong local relationships with growth ambition.
Brough, principal of SRB Financial Planning, added that joining Quilter gives clients access to a broader range of solutions and a market-leading platform after an extensive market review.
From Elsewhere
Pound nudges at four-week highs; volatility picks up (Reuters)
Oil steadies at end of volatile week as US and Iran keep talking (Bloomberg UK)
Andy Burnham latest: Prime minister-in-waiting on the cusp of Labour leadership as 322 MPs back him (The Independent)
Did You See?
Aviva has appointed Ortec Finance as its technology partner to strengthen its customer guidance and financial planning proposition, writes Tabitha Lambie.
This partnership will see Aviva use Ortec Finance’s OPAL platform, supported by Yellowtail Conclusion’s CORD integration and orchestration platform, create an integrated and end-to-end digital guidance and advice solution.
This marks a meaningful step in Aviva’s commitment to close the advice gap and help improve the financial wellbeing and retirement outcomes of more UK adults.
