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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

Lifeplan

We are a firm of Chartered, Independent Financial Planners based in County Durham.

11/03/2026

This weeks reading along with some nice biccys from Lovley clients:
Die with Zero! Getting all you can from your money and your life.
Let’s see if we can get some helpful insights for our clients. 😊

05/02/2026

Please share! Underpaid state pension for women mainly over age 65. Iv had clients paid out £thousands :

Tens of thousands of women, particularly those aged 65 and over (including age 74), may be entitled to a, state pension top-up due to historical underpayments by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The issue stems from a failure to automatically increase pensions for married women, widows, and those over 80.

Key Information for Claiming Shortfalls (LEAP Exercise)

Who is affected: Women who reached state pension age before April 2016, specifically married women whose husband turned 65 before March 17, 2008, and women who did not have a top-up applied automatically.

The Problem: Many women should have had their basic pension increased to 60% of their husband's rate (approx. £101.55 per week in 2024/25) but did not.

Action Required: While the DWP is conducting a "Legal Entitlements and Administrative Practices" (LEAP) exercise to correct this, those who believe they are affected should contact the Pension Service to request a review.
Contact Number: 0800 731 0469 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm).
Divorced Women: Women who divorced after reaching State Pension age may also be eligible for an increased pension based on their ex-husband's National Insurance record.

Important Distinctions
Underpayment Correction (LEAP): This is a correction of existing rules, with thousands having already received backpayments.

WASPI Compensation: This is separate from the LEAP underpayment corrections. The Ombudsman found that women born in the 1950s (WASPI women) were not properly notified of pension age changes. While an official investigation concluded they are owed compensation, the government has not yet confirmed the amount.

How to Check
You can check if you have a shortfall by calling the Pension Service, or if you are the executor/next of kin of someone who has passed away, you can also request a check.

02/01/2026

Did you make any New Year's Resolutions? 🤔

If you have been thinking about organising your finances for some time, you could start this year!

Speak to our team below to secure your financial future:

📞 01207 297100 or 01434 620 193
📧 [email protected]
🌐 lifeplanfm.co.uk

01/01/2026

Happy New Year! 🥳

A very Happy New Year to all from the Lifepln team! ✨

We hope everyone has a great year. 😄

31/12/2025

We're less than a day away from 2026! 😱

Our team are excited for the New Year ahead.

Will you be watching the fireworks? 🎆

26/12/2025

Today is boxing day! 🥊

We hope everyone had a great Christmas, but the celebrations aren't over yet, as we look forward to 2026. 🥳

25/12/2025

It's Christmas! 🤩

The Lifeplan team wishes you all a very Merry Christmas. 🎁

See you all in the New Year! 😁

22/12/2025

Christmas is only a few days away! It's almost time to put your worries aside and celebrate. 🥳

But what if that worry never goes away?

If you are stressed or anxious about your finances, speak to our team today.

We can give you peace of mind with professional financial planning, just in time for Christmas. 🎅

📞 01207 297100 or 01434 620 193
📧 [email protected]
🌐 lifeplanfm.co.uk

20/12/2025

Who can we help? 🤔

Our services vary from helping those approaching retirement, currently in retirement, and assisting people with wills and trusts.

No matter what stage you are in, please contact us on 01207 297100 / 01434 620 193 for our advice and support. 🤝

You can also visit lifeplanfm.co.uk

18/12/2025

"A goal without a plan is just a wish" - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

Everyone has retirement dreams, but not everyone understands that retirement is something you have to prepare for. 😳

Without a financial plan in place, your dream retirement could turn into a nightmare!

Our team are here to save you from stress. 😅

For your retirement dreams to come true, talk to our team on 01207 297100 or 01434 620 193.

You can also email us on [email protected]

16/12/2025

Are you all prepared for Christmas? 🎅

It's always great to be ready for something in advance, especially your retirement!

Your financial plans & assets need to be considered & looked at by a professional to ensure the best results. ✅

Speak to our qualified team today:

📞 01207 297100 or 01434 620 193
📧 [email protected]
🌐 lifeplanfm.co.uk

12/12/2025

Whether you're a keen saver or a frequent shopper, everyone treats money differently. 💸

However, no matter how your finances are, everyone has to experience retirement.

Retirement can either be a dream or a nightmare depending on how prepared you are for it. ✅

Trust Lifeplan to make your retirement a walk in the park, contact our team by calling 01207 297100 or 01434 620 193.

Visit lifeplanfm.co.uk for more information.

Address

Unit 87, Consett Business Park
Durham
DH86BN

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441207297100

Website

http://lifeplanfm.co.uk/

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We are Chartered Financial Planners providing independent advice

Lifeplan was founded with a clear purpose: “to deliver financial peace of mind and help our clients prepare for retirement”.

We believe the best financial advice comes from a full understanding of your personal situation; not from a list of financial products you or anyone else thinks you might need. It comes from a strategy that has your best interests, goals and ambitions at its heart.

It comes from a Lifeplan.

Founded in 2011, our team consists of two Financial Planners, Gary and Kate, and our Administrator Abigail.