Paraplanners' Assembly

Whether you’re considering a move into paraplanning, just landed your first role or are just curious about the options, one question you might keep wondering about: ‘What kind of organisation should I work for?’Do you choose in-house team or outsourced provider? A small boutique practice or large corporate? Whichever you choose, there will be pros and cons, so how do you decide which is most suitable for you?This Assembly – recorded on 6 August 2025 – lifts the lid on different paraplanning career paths and workplace structures. It’s the second in a series of Assemblies looking at careers in paraplanning and supported by Aegon.Our host Caroline Stuart of Sparrow Paraplanning is joined by Julie South, owner of Bee Paraplanning, Sarah Lees, senior paraplanner at Forvis Mazars and Jo Parkes, paraplanning manager at Navigatus – paraplanners with experience of working in all kinds of organisations and are ready to share what it’s meant for their careers.Over the course of the Assembly, they discuss:The different paraplanning structures out there – and what they’re really like to work inHow to get your foot in the door – and what to look for in potential employersWhat support and development you can expect from types of organisationsPractical tips for adapting and thriving wherever you landYou’ll leave with a clearer picture of your paraplanning options, practical insights from experienced practitioners, and the confidence to take your next career step.Thanks to AegonThis Assembly would not be possible without the generous support of Aegon. Thank you to the team at Aegon for supporting and for backing the development of paraplanners and paraplanning in the UK through their support of the Paraplanners’ Assembly.Don’t miss the first Assembly in this seriesThis is the second Assembly in a series on breaking into and developing your career in paraplanning. Discover the first in the series Breaking into paraplanning: where do I even start?.Useful linksHere are the links mentioned in this Assembly. Once you’ve watched or listened, make sure you tap the link to receive your CPD certificate (first link below).Request CPD certificateCrowdcast: watch the Replay (with Chat)Vimeo: watch video of this Assembly (without Chat)The Big TentProfessional ParaplannerPlannex (previously known as NextGen Planners)Glassdoor - for employees’ opinions about employers

Last Monday (21 July 2025), the UK Government published draft legislation which means that, from April 2027, most unused pension savings and death benefits will count towards your estate when you die.If you're wondering…which pension benefits are in scope (and which aren't)?who's responsible for paying the tax?how will the income tax offset actually work in practice?what's the timeline for implementation?...you're not alone.So in this bonus podcast episode, host Richard Allum met up with Barnett Waddingham’s James Jones-Tinsley to talk through the Government’s planned changes, what they mean for paraplanners and your clients, and suggest practical steps that you can already take to help clients get ready for the change.The measures, which feature in the Finance Bill 2025-26, could still change as the proposals make their way through Parliament from September. But if you're wondering where things stand right now and what you should be thinking about for clients with decent-sized pension pots, this is a fantastic update that gives you the current picture.Speaking of the Finance Bill…If you’ve ever wondered how Budget measures become law, James met up with Leanne Pickering of Pivotal Paraplanning last year to walk through each step in the process. Here's the podcast episode: From Parliament to paraplanner: How do Budget measures become law?And speaking of pensions…James has recorded a series of really helpful jargon busters on new and old pensions exclusively for the Assembly:New pensions jargon: part oneListen: A plain English guide to new pensions jargon: part oneWatch: A plain English guide to old pensions jargon: part oneNew pension jargon: part twoListen: A plain English guide to new pensions jargon: part twoWatch: A plain English guide to old pensions jargon: part twoOld pensions jargon: parts one, two and threeListen: A plain English guide to old pensions jargon: part oneWatch: A plain English guide to old pensions jargon: part oneListen: A plain English guide to old pensions jargon: part twoWatch: A plain English guide to old pensions jargon: part twoListen: A plain English guide to old pensions jargon: part threeWatch: A plain English guide to old pensions jargon: part three

The choices clients make during the 5-10 years either side of retirement can decide how comfortable they’ll be once they stop working.In fact, it’s such a distinctive stage in our financial lives that, among a growing number of advice professionals, it’s known as the ‘retirement risk zone’.The data says – and you’ll know this yourself – that clients tend to become more risk-averse on their approach to retirement. Yet the likelihood of longer lifespans – and the costs associated with it – mean that ‘playing it safe’ could actually prove to be risky.What’s more, persistent economic uncertainty and instability, not forgetting the FCA’s retirement income review exposing gaps in advice quality, means hatching a plan that helps clients swerve unnecessary risks around retirement has never been more important.Zone in on the risks in one hourIn this online Assembly Connor Stewart from Standard Life joins host, Richard Allum, to explore the features of the retirement risk zone.Together they consider the risks that can trip clients up – things like the shift from accumulation to decumulation, sequencing returns, and adapting to changing financial priorities in an uncertain world – before considering practical ways to tackle them.Tune in nowListen and you’ll hear practical ideas to help guide clients through one of the trickiest phases of their financial lives. So how about it? Fancy zoning in on retirement risk? Then tune in now.Useful linksHere are the links mentioned in this Assembly. Once you’ve watched or listened, make sure you tap the link to receive your CPD certificate (first link below).Request CPD certificateConnor's slides: retirement risk zone (PDF)Vimeo: watch video of this Assembly (without Chat)Crowdcast: watch the Replay (with Chat)Annuities essentials: part oneAnnuities essentials: part two

With recent changes to capital gains tax rates reaching up to 24% and the CGT annual exemption frozen at just £3,000, many clients are looking for tax-efficient ways to structure their investments.In his latest 'Technically speaking' session for the Paraplanners' Assembly, Utmost's Steve Sayer explores how offshore bonds and trust structures work together – offering inheritance tax planning options that provide flexibility for clients who want to be prepared for the 'what ifs' of life.Packed with helpful examples and case studiesSteve brings the options to life with a series of examples of different trust arrangements and how they can be combined.He’ll show you how discounted gift trusts can provide an immediate reduction in estate value, how loan trusts offer capital access, and why reversionary interest trusts might help hesitant clients take their first steps with inheritance tax planning.The session includes a detailed case study showing how married clients in their sixties, with £3.5 million in assets, could use multiple trust structures to meet their annual income needs all while reducing their inheritance tax liability.What's more, you'll learn about the planning opportunities that come with non-UK long term residence status and how offshore bonds can keep assets outside the UK inheritance tax net.And to round off his session, Steve shares a decision-tree approach that you’re bound to find useful when you’re weighing up client needs.Grab a copy of Steve’s slides - plus a certificate for your CPDSlides: trusts and offshore bonds - options for IHTThen make sure to take our quick quiz to receive a certificate for your CPD:CPD: Take the quiz to receive your certificateOther useful linksSteve mentions Utmost's conversion guide for discounted gift trusts. You can download it here:Discounted gift trust: conversion guide (May 2025)Fancy watching this Assembly instead? Then visit the event page at the Paraplanners' Assembly website:Technically speaking: Trusts and offshore bonds - options for IHT planningYou can find all our previous technical sessions with Utmost here:Utmost x Paraplanners' Assembly: all our previous sessionsAnd don't forget to take a look at Utmost's Technical Academy webinar series too.

What knowledge, experience and skills will help you get hired? And, once you are hired, how will you know you’ve actually made the right choice?Whether you want to get into paraplanning, are just starting out, or know someone who would love to get their break, this online Assembly – recorded on 9 July 2025 – is jam-packed with insights on making your move into paraplanning.Hear for yourself how our guests took their unique paths into paraplanningHost Caroline Stuart is joined by paraplanning guests Chris Wormwell, Ceetal Katechia and Kez Condy, plus personal development expert Sarah Purves of Aegon.Over the course of one podcast, you’ll discover how each of our paraplanners took very different routes into the profession.Among the topics covered areThe multiple pathways into paraplanning (because there's never a ‘right’ route is there?)Tried and tested strategies for overcoming obstacles when starting out (or just started)Building a career plan that works for youCreating your support networkTackling imposter syndrome head-onVital conversations to have with current or potential employersDon’t forget your CPDOnce you’ve listened to this Assembly, you can request a certificate for 1½ hours CPD. Just follow the link below.Thank you AegonThis online Assembly would not be possible without the generous support of Aegon. Thank you to the team at Aegon for supporting next week’s Assembly – and for backing the development of paraplanners and paraplanning in the UK through their support of the Paraplanners’ Assembly.Useful links There are loads of links following this Assembly. First of all, once you’ve listened to this episode, make sure you tap the link to receive your CPD certificate: https://paraplannersassembly.typeform.com/to/ocHx6IFOYou can also watch the Replay of this Assembly at Crowdcast (includes Chat): https://www.crowdcast.io/c/5xznwgskdxz9Or view it on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/1100103967Sarah mentioned the fantastic idea of picking people for your ‘personal boardroom’. Here’s a link that tells you more: https://www.personalboardroom.com/for-individuals/Caroline recommended downloading the PFS’s booklet ‘Getting you started in paraplanning’ (opens a PDF)Chris mentioned The Chimp Paradox – a ‘mind management model grounded in neuroscience’ by Prof Steve Peters.Kez talked about her experience of a paraplanning apprenticeship. To find out more, visit the Skills England Apprenticeship finder, which tells you more about the new combined Financial Planning and Paraplanning apprenticeship. There is currently one provider – Skills Edge Training – but we understand there may be more entering.

As paraplanners, we have the power to directly influence financial outcomes that are better for women – whether we’re reviewing fact finds, drafting recommendations, or creating financial plans.But are we truly creating plans for the individuals in front of us? Or are we unwittingly relying on conventional thinking and assumptions which are actually more likely to be rooted in men’s experiences rather than women’s?It matters because, more often than not, women’s financial lives are very different to men’s. So to deliver genuinely effective financial planning, it’s important to understand the differences and how to adapt our approach.A chance to challenge your thinkingIn the recording of this online Assembly, host Sam Tonks invited Sam Secomb of Women’s Wealth and Susan Hope of Scottish Widows to explore how paraplanners can better understand and address the unique financial planning needs of women. During the session Sam, Susan and Sam discuss– what makes women’s financial experience so different from men’s– the real-world impact of the ‘parenthood penalty’ on long-term financial planning– our assumptions about vulnerabilities, risk profiles and investment preferences– practical strategies paraplanners can implement to better serve female clientsUseful links There are loads of links following this Assembly. First of all, once you’ve listened to this episode, make sure you tap the link to receive your CPD certificate: https://emails.scottishwidows.co.uk/womens-finances-webinar-CPDYou can also watch the Replay of this Assembly at Crowdcast: https://www.crowdcast.io/c/sk0o36kcb5fn or on Vimeo instead: https://vimeo.com/1096332315There are a number of items of research referred to during this Assembly or which offer valuable background reading including:Sam Secomb: Women’s career progression in the UK financial planning sector: https://bit.ly/4lckHFZResearch from TISA that includes language around risk warnings: https://bit.ly/45qwoUUDownload Sam Secomb’s ‘Million Pound Difference’ case study here: https://bit.ly/4nfrwIy (opens PDF)Plus there are some excellent stats and insights from Scottish Widows’s ‘Women & Retirement Report 2024’: https://bit.ly/449mKDZYou’ll also find lots of valuable tools at Scottish Widows site including:Beat the Gap tool: https://bit.ly/4n00oNEThe Pension Mirror: https://bit.ly/4ejrnjuMeet your future self: https://bit.ly/3HLSUhjPlus Caroline Criado Perez’s fantastic Invisible Women was a must-read mention in the Chat.

Remember our Assembly on annuity essentials back in March?Over the course of one lunch-hour, Andy Powell from Standard Life walked us through the basics of annuities – how they work, the differences between pension and purchased life annuities, and the kinds of options available like inflation protection and guarantee periods.Now annuity expert Andy is back and he’s taking things a little bit further.In the second of his two-part guide to annuities essentials for paraplanners he talks to host, Richard Allum, about how annuities can feature as part of your clients’ retirement income strategies. For instance, among the practical planning tips that go beyond the basics, are things like:– annuities can actually boost the value of the legacy client’s leave for loved ones– annuities can be used as an asset class within broader portfolios– and much moreAfter years of being out of fashion, annuities have been enjoying a bit of a renaissance lately. So what better time to refresh your annuities knowledge and - who knows? - maybe challenge your thinking about how they can contribute to a client's retirement strategy these days?Fancy topping up your annuities knowledge? Then tune in now.Useful linksGrab your CPD certificate for watching or listening to this Assembly by visiting the link below. There were plenty of useful links shared in the chat during the Assembly. Thanks to Rob Collins, Heather Fosker and Jon Young for sharing your links. If you want to speak to someone at Standard Life about their guaranteed life income annuity you can email GLI_sales@standardlife.comCPD: Grab your record of CPD Watch the Replay at Crowdcast (includes Chat)Watch the video on Vimeo (doesn’t include Chat)Visit the event pageStandard Life’s guaranteed lifetime income annuity webpageMap of healthy life expectancyThe Lang Cat’s ‘State of the Platform Nation 2025’ reportSteve Webb on pensioner spending research by LCP/Uni of BathRetirement Living Standard’s ‘Picture your future’ toolInheritance Tax guaranteed annuity calculator

When it comes to the idea of innovation are you more likely to radiate Ted Lasso energy rather than Roy Kent? More Bandit than Bluey? Or put another way (that doesn’t rely on eclectic TV viewing habits): does the prospect of change make you feel more ‘Yeah!’ than ‘Meh!’? The reason we ask is that we were inspired by paraplanner Zara Okoro’s recent thought-provoking article in Professional Paraplanner all about innovation. So we invited Zara from Abacus Associates, who’s also a PFS Paraplanner Panel member, to share her thoughts on how paraplanners can adapt rather than risk getting left behind.Alongside Zara, we were joined by PSA Financial Services’ head of paraplanning, Ceetal Katechia, to join in the conversation. Ceetal has bags of practical experience in creating team environments in which new ideas flourish.Together with host Richard Allum, this Assembly asked what innovation actually looks like, whether it’s always a good thing, what fuels it, and how can you influence it when you’re not the decision-maker?It’s an Assembly that’s all about how you can embrace innovation and shape our profession rather than be subject to changes happening around you.What can you expect when you listen?You’ll come away with practical ideas to try out, whether you’re looking to improve your processes and workflow, make better use of existing tools and tech, or create space for bigger changes in your work.Most of all, this is a chance to step back from day-to-day demands and take a few moments for yourself to think about how even small changes can shape your role and influence the direction of your career in paraplanning.Useful links Once you’ve listened, make sure you tap the link to receive your CPD certificate: https://paraplannersassembly.typeform.com/to/hR6mIizqHere’s Zara’s article at Professional Paraplanner: https://bit.ly/4jA9WwQWatch the Replay at Crowdcast: https://www.crowdcast.io/c/6x1q91lqsgut (includes the Chat)Or watch on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/1080253419?share=copy (doesn’t include the Chat)The University of Helsinki's foundational online courses on AI cropped up as a recommendation during the discussionSo did the book The Art of Quiet Influence - subtitled 'Timeless wisdom for leading without authority'

How often do you recommend investment bonds compared to ISAs or GIAs for non-pension money these days?If it’s rarely or not at all, that’s not so surprising.Because bonds seem to have become a bit neglected planning option in recent years haven’t they?It’s a trend which means that paraplanners can be forgiven for being a bit rusty when it comes to the latest investment bond knowledge.Yet they’re an option which offers plenty of planning potential. So we thought it was about time we hosted an online Assembly where you can rekindle your bond with bonds.What you’ll gain from this episodeTo guide us, we’re joined by investment bond expert Barrie Dawson from M&G. During this Assembly Barrie covers:– What bonds actually are– Common jargon (that’s often misunderstood)– How bonds are taxed internally – and why the ‘20% tax rate’ misunderstanding persists– When bonds make sense: practical comparisons with other investment optionsWhether bonds are something you’re just getting to grips with, or you just need a refresher, this Assembly offers clarity about when and how bonds can feature in your planning recommendations.Useful linksOnce you’ve listened, make sure you complete the quick quiz to receive your CPD certificate: CPD: Request your certificateHere’s a link to download Barrie’s slides: Barrie’s slides on Bonds and OEICS (opens PDF)Richard mentions Les Cameron’s Assembly on pensions, death and taxes. Here’s the event page which has lots of links. You can also listen to the episode on Acast or search for ‘Paraplanners’ Assembly’ on your favourite podcast app.You’ll find the M&G Bonds School over here: M&G Bonds SchoolAnd there’s a trove of tools and calculators at M&G’s site: Tools and calculatorsIf you’d like to watch the Replay of this Assembly you can find it at its Crowdcast page.You can also watch video of this event by visiting its Vimeo page. (Unlike the Replay, this version doesn’t include the contents of the live Chat. Here’s the link: A guide to investment bond essentials.) If you’d like to watch the Replay of this Assembly you can find it at its Crowdcast page.You can also watch video of this event by visiting its Vimeo page. (Unlike the Replay, this version doesn’t include the contents of the live Chat. Here’s the link: A guide to investment bond essentials.)