http://www.prosperitywealth.com/

Dominic Richards - Financial Adviser, Prosperity Wealth, 2nd Floor, Quay House, Waterfront Way, Brierley Hill (2026)

15/01/2026

📉 𝗜𝘀 𝗕𝘂𝘆-𝘁𝗼-𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲?

From my own conversations and experience, there certainly seems to be a growing number of people reassessing Buy-to-Let as an investment.

It’s not hard to see why.

Over the last few years, landlords have faced a steady stream of changes, including:

— Mortgage interest relief restrictions (Section 24), meaning mortgage interest is no longer fully deductible for higher taxpayers

— Additional Stamp Duty surcharges on second properties

— Reduced Capital Gains Tax allowances and higher effective tax bills on sale

— The incoming Renters’ Rights Act abolishing Section 21 and “no-fault” evictions, changing how and when landlords can regain possession

— Increased compliance and running costs bringing down profit margins

More recently, the latest Budget announced that from April 2027 landlords will pay an additional 2% income tax on rental profits — pushing the basic, higher and additional tax rates to 22%, 42% and 47% respectively — adding further pressure on returns from property income.

Many landlords are questioning whether the risk-reward balance still stacks up for them.

As a result, I’m seeing more people exploring alternatives to Buy-to-Let, such as stocks & shares and tax-efficient investment structures — often looking for greater flexibility and fewer administrative headaches.

With the end of the tax year only a few months away, there may be an opportunity to:

✔️ Utilise two tax years
✔️ Make use of allowances before they reset

If you’re already considering alternatives, or simply want to sense-check whether Buy-to-Let still fits your wider financial plan, this can be a sensible time to seek advice.

Happy to have conversations with anyone weighing up their options.

Please note: This post does not constitute personalised financial advice. The value of an investment can fall as well as rise and isn’t guaranteed.

📞 𝟢𝟩𝟫𝟨𝟦 𝟥𝟥𝟩𝟪𝟪𝟨
📩 𝘥𝘰𝘮.𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴@𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩.𝘤𝘰𝘮

06/01/2026

𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 ✍️

Starting the year as we mean to go on.

Another progressive year ticked off, and it’s always good to receive positive feedback from clients heading into a new working year.

These clients have trusted me with setting up their retirement plans, ready for when the time comes. We found a number of efficiencies available to them prior to the tax year end, which simply hadn’t been considered before.

If you’ve been thinking about your finances and future plans over the Christmas break and want to start taking the next steps, it would be good to hear from you.

📞 𝟢𝟩𝟫𝟨𝟦 𝟥𝟥𝟩𝟪𝟪𝟨
📩 𝘥𝘰𝘮.𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴@𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩.𝘤𝘰𝘮

31/12/2025

As the year comes to a close, the main word that springs to mind for me to end 2025 is “lucky.”

There’s been hard work (and plenty of it), but alongside that there’s been good timing, great people, and the right opportunities - often appearing when I least expected them.

🍀 Lucky to have met the right people, at the right time
🍀 Lucky to have been trusted to help make key decisions by clients and colleagues
🍀 Lucky to have my wider network of family and friends keeping offering support
🍀 Lucky to come home each evening to Katie and my two boys - our biggest achievements

But I also believe luck only really helps you progress if you accept opportunity, show up, and try to do the right thing by people. So that’s what I try to do.

I’m genuinely grateful to everyone who’s helped my business grow this year - clients, friends, family, and those who’ve recommended me.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year. Here’s to more luck in 2026! 🍀

23/12/2025

Some welcome news for business owners and farmers before Christmas👇🏻🎄

A positive step forward and good news to end the year on - let’s hope 2026 brings some stability, and allows more businesses to focus on what they do best!

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/inheritance-tax-reliefs-threshold-to-rise-to-25m-for-farmers-and-businesses

10/12/2025

💬 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝘄𝗶𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁…

If you caught Martin Lewis on The Money Show Live last night, you’ll know he provided some education and covered important points around investing — from getting started to understanding risk and long-term growth.

As an Independent Financial Adviser, it’s great to see investing covered on TV for a wide range of people to see — it’s an area which often causes worry for people (often, unnecessarily).

A lot of people seem to think investing is a huge gamble or some type of casino, but that’s not true when things are managed and organised appropriately.

Appropriate investment can provide a real difference over the long-term, but of course, the risks need to be managed.

Good information empowers good decisions — but everyone’s situation is different.

If the episode left you with questions about where to begin, how much to invest, what level of risk is right for you, or how to fit investing into your wider financial plan, I’m happy to help.

Like Martin said, if you’ve got pensions, you might not realise you’re actually already investing! How are these investments performing?

Please note: The value of your investments can fall as well as rise and there is no guarantee you will get back the amount invested.

03/11/2025

A couple more reviews from new and existing clients.

Always rewarding to receive this type of feedback through another busy period.

There’s been a lot of change in recent years, with potentially more to come in the Autumn Budget later this month.

Seeking advice can help you navigate these changes and give peace of mind that informed decisions are being made.

16/09/2025

A fair share of people seem unsure about their tax situation in retirement, and understandably so.

I often get questions about how the State Pension is taxed, whether a self-assessment is required for pension income, or how tax generally works with private and workplace pensions.

Many people also overlook tax on savings interest and don’t fully understand the tax implications of taking their pensions as a single lump sum.

It’s worth taking the time to understand how it all works, because effective retirement planning isn’t just about having enough money, it’s about making sure your income and assets work efficiently together.

Here’s the reality:

— Pensions are partially tax-free (usually 25%), but the remainder is subject to income tax. Taking large withdrawals in a single year could push you into a higher tax bracket than necessary.

— With Defined Contribution plans, if you don’t need the 25% tax-free lump sum immediately, you can stagger withdrawals over multiple payments or set up a monthly tax-free income. This can be efficient for those semi-retiring or with other income sources.

— Pension providers receive a tax code from HMRC, so payments are made through PAYE, similar to how you were taxed in employment.

— The State Pension is taxable, but it’s paid without tax automatically deducted. This can create surprises if not accounted for, as additional tax may be collected via other pension or income sources.

— Savings and investments can also generate taxable income unless held in tax-efficient accounts like ISAs. With higher interest rates in recent years, your savings allowance can be used up quickly.

This is where a financial adviser can help. Thoughtful planning can help minimise tax and create an efficient retirement income strategy: it doesn’t always have to come solely from pensions.

An adviser can identify:

— Which allowances to utilise
— The optimal order to draw income
— Appropriate timing for withdrawals
— Strategies for efficient wealth transfer

In my view, many people are leaving thousands of pounds on the table by not engaging with an adviser. But the cost isn’t just monetary: it’s also about clarity, control, and peace of mind to enjoy the retirement you’ve worked hard for.

💡 If you’re curious about your tax situation in retirement, reviewing your plan sooner rather than later can reveal opportunities and prevent surprises.

(Caption: Random snap from my weekend at Hellidon Lakes Golf & Spa Hotel. Plenty of practice on the course required if I’m to enjoy the retirement I’m aiming for!)
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09/09/2025

Last week it was announced that the highly anticipated Autumn Budget will take place on 26th November.

With the date pushed back around a month later than usual, that leaves even more time for rumours to circulate and headlines to stir up worry.

A reminder: don’t make financial decisions based on speculation alone. Acting too soon can limit your options and reduce long-term outcomes.

A Freedom of Information request to the FCA by Evelyn Partners showed that in the 2025 financial year, £18.1bn was withdrawn from pensions as tax-free lump sums - up from £11.25bn the year before.

That’s a 60% increase in withdrawals, much of it driven by fear ahead of last year’s Budget. In the end, the 25% tax-free cash allowance was untouched, meaning many people may have acted unnecessarily, to their own detriment.

Importantly, stay calm, stay informed, and avoid decisions driven by headlines.

02/09/2025

Over the years, I’ve worked with many people you’d comfortably say are successful in their careers or business ventures.

However, I’ve found that no matter how successful someone is, there’s almost always a blind spot: at least one area of their finances that isn’t getting the attention it deserves, or which isn’t fully understood.

I’ve sat down with some really switched-on people. Experts in their field, sharp, and knowledgable about their finances. But still, there’s usually that “oh, I didn’t realise that” moment.

As the saying goes: “you don’t know what you don’t know”. Complexity is the reason I’m in a job! 😅

Some people will take the DIY approach, and that’s completely their prerogative. But in my honest opinion, almost all of the time there’s something which will be missed.

An area which could be improved, and where the value of advice would outweigh the cost.

These blind spots don’t usually show up on a balance sheet - they show up in missed opportunities, extra tax, or added stress further down the line.

Naturally, I often think about reasons why people may not take the step to engage a financial adviser.

Maybe it’s simply complacency, or a lack of understanding around how advisers work?

For some, they may have preconceptions that advice is too costly. Maybe people don’t know the options around how fees can be paid (such as through their pension or investment)?

Either way, in my experience, addressing those blind spots early can save far more than it costs.

26/08/2025

Having worked with these clients over the last couple of years, it’s rewarding to receive feedback like this.

I find it’s important to be transparent from the outset: some clients only need initial advice, while for others, the real value comes through ongoing support.

I’m pleased these clients have seen the value an ongoing service can bring, and I’m grateful they chose to share their personal experience.

In today’s world, people trust people, so reviews like this go a long way in helping others feel more comfortable when seeking advice for the first time.

20/08/2025

Lately, I’ve noticed a large uplift in clients asking about Inheritance Tax.

I’ve sat down with two families so far this week where it’s been high on the agenda.

It’s really not surprising and something most advisers would have expected following last year’s Autumn Budget.

If you’ve not heard already, from April 2027, unspent pension funds will be pulled into the taxable Estate, alongside changes to Business Relief. HMRC expects around 10,500 additional Estates to fall into the IHT net from 2027/28.

People have different views on the tax, but most, understandably, don’t want HMRC to be their biggest Beneficiary.

In a lot of cases, it doesn’t have to be too complicated, but you do need to be proactive:

— Spending: Enjoy the wealth you’ve built. More holidays, more family time, and often a naturally reduced IHT burden.

— Gifting: Support children or grandchildren now and see them enjoy it while you’re here. You might be surprised how rewarding this can be, potentially relieving financial burdens for your loved ones.

— Insurance: Certain insurance arrangements may be an option to at least help pay the Inheritance Tax bill once you’re gone, even if a liability is there.

— Trusts: If your Beneficiaries aren’t quite ready to receive the gift, such as young grandchildren, Trusts can offer an effective way of providing structure and controlling timing.

Of course: these points are overly simplified and more thought/planning is important.

For many, Inheritance Tax is the unexplored and personally, it’s been rewarding to be able to explain, simplify and make plans for those who’ve been anxious about taking the next steps, offering real emotional value.

If you’re curious how this might apply to your own family, I’d be happy to talk it through.

At Prosperity Wealth, we’re fortunate to work with some excellent local legal and tax specialists to make sure your planning is fully comprehensive.

12/08/2025

“My Business Is My Pension”

You’ve probably heard this phrase — or maybe you’ve even said it yourself.

At first glance, it makes sense. You’ve poured everything into building your business, and when the time’s right, you’ll sell and enjoy the reward… hopefully.

But before relying solely on that plan, ask yourself:

— What makes me so sure my business will fully fund my retirement?

— What events outside my control could derail that plan?

— What if I’m forced to exit earlier than expected, or the business isn’t worth what I’d hoped?

— If I wasn’t here, would the business still run profitably without me?

Even the strongest businesses face risk, timing, and uncertainty.

According to research, only around 20% of small businesses listed complete a sale within a year.

So: is there really a reason why you shouldn’t consider saving some tax, whilst bedding in a “Plan B” just in case?

A plan that quietly builds wealth alongside your business, saves tax now, and gives you genuine options when it matters most.

Your business might be your pension. But wouldn’t it be smart to make sure it’s not your only option?

Dominic Richards - Financial Adviser

15/01/2026

06/01/2026

31/12/2025

23/12/2025

10/12/2025

03/11/2025

16/09/2025

09/09/2025

02/09/2025

26/08/2025

20/08/2025

12/08/2025

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