Pension age deadlines are more fluid as older people have gained greater control over retirement dates and finances - but some birthdays are still markers for decisions and action.

Hoard your pension and spend other cash and investments first, to keep your money away from the taxman. That's the advice experts are dishing out to retirees worried about inheritance tax.

My husband left me in the first week of January 2016 and I have neither seen or heard from him since. I have no idea where he might be and every search draws a blank. Lawyer Katie Spooner replies.

I feel like my aunt gave her solicitor power of attorney as a friend and now she is unable to understand he is charging her. I disagree with his actions, so what can I do? Lawyer Fiona Heald replies.

In a stinging report, tax officials said people 'can easily disadvantage themselves' in a system that 'appears illogical', and told the Government to find a way to restore lost credits to parents.

As our relative was in a care home for the past five years the money she had left is less than the sum in her will. My husband inherits her property, but does he have to make up the cash shortfall? Lawyer Jim Sawer replies

Equity release customers could have been given the wrong advice it has emerged, as the City watchdog confirmed it is looking at mortgage lending practices to older borrowers.

It is feared that equity release could soon echo the PPI mis-selling scandal which has rocked Britain in recent years. Experts last night said the industry was 'ripe for mis-selling'.

There are growing concerns that many people signing up for equity release are not aware that the loans can come with hefty early redemption penalties.

Eric Lewis-Leaning discovered last month he was paying £19.95 a year to a company called 'CBA Malwarebytes' via his credit card, despite not owning a computer.

I am 84 years of age, healthy and fit for my age. I have given my son a will drawn up by a solicitor. He inherits all my assets. He wants to have a power of attorney document drawn up. Please advise.

Standard wording should be adopted and made compulsory to prevent firms using 'obfuscatory' jargon that baffles savers, argues Lady Altmann

Analysis by financial data experts Defaqto shows a couple who borrow £50,000 could save up to £38,000 over 20 years by opting for a retirement interest-only mortgage instead.

Thousands of families are being forced to complete complicated paperwork to report the value of a loved one's estate to the taxman when they die - even when there is no inheritance tax to pay.

Reputable firms don't encourage savers to take money out of pensions before they are 55, in the form of a loan or any other kind of cash payout, due to the stiff tax penalty.

Of those who start drawing an income, just two out of five do so immediately. Among those who wait, 40% put it off for at least half a year, and 24% delay for more than a year, says Hargreaves Lansdown.

People aged 39-54 who suffered compulsory redundancy have average pensions savings of £120,634 - while those who avoided being laid off have £202,017.

The cost of funerals is soaring - rising more than £200 over the past year to an average of more than £4,400 this month. But a decent send-off can still be arranged for less than half of this price.

Which? found 77 per cent of 1,500 people surveyed in the UK held either one account or several with the same provider, leaving them stuck during online and mobile banking hitches.

Former Army Major Adrian Furnival, pictured with wife Sheila, will soon have £70 stripped from his £260 weekly pension - yet was only told about the cut in February 2018

A raid on popular pension tax breaks to drum up cash for other Government projects is reportedly on the cards at the upcoming March Budget.

One financial advice firm has told how its premiums rose from £3,700 in 2009 to £45,000 in 2019. Another adviser says premiums jumped from £22,736 in 2017 to £112,000 in 2018.

Rookie Chancellor Rishi Sunak was given a month to prepare for the Budget on March 11. Will Government top-ups into retirement savings pots be lowered to the 20 per cent basic rate for everyone?

'Cash today, poverty tomorrow must be avoided, as large withdrawals from pension pots could mean later life hardship for many,' says the Association of British Insurers.

A selection of Steve's top columns can help you avoid being scammed, understand the mysteries of the new state pension, and gain peace of mind by making the most of your pension savings.

Anyone aged 47 or under must plan ahead if they want to retire earlier than 57, or will need cash for other purposes like paying off mortgages, home renovations or university fees for their children.

Many savers have ditched these generous guaranteed pensions in recent years, often tempted by huge transfer value offers. We reveal six things you must consider if you're tempted.

The Britain's Got Talent judge tweeted the good news, revealing the first story will be from his The World's Worst Children series. 

The Britain's Got Talent judge, 49, praised the NHS amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis, while speaking about them on Wednesday's edition of Heart Breakfast.

She's been keeping busy during the coronavirus lockdown in the company of her partner Azuka Ononye and their two daughters.

The preview features a montage of some of the show's wackiest auditions yet, as the nation sets out to wow judges Simon Cowell, David Walliams, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden.

To grown-ups, David Walliams (pictured, with child fans Evie and Ed) is the Little Britain star who brings his humorous touch to Britain's Got Talent. But to children, he's the reigning king of fiction.

Opting for a  casual grey T-shirt and shorts, Cowell, 60, looked relaxed as they prepared fro a coastal stroll through the upmarket suburb.

The Britain's Got Talent judge, 49, donned a fuchsia dress with a daring leg spit as she strutted her stuff while taking out her rubbish.

The music and TV mogul lost the impressive amount of weight after adopting a healthier vegan lifestyle last year, and Amanda is hoping for other big changes in her pal too.   

The Britain's Got Talent judge, 49, and the Pussycat Doll, 38, put on typically playful displays as they larked around their empty office at Global Studios in a bid to cheer up the nation on Tuesday.

Britain's Got Talent will return to our TV screens on Saturday night for its highly anticipated 14 series.

Britain's Got Talent saw choir Sign Along With Us leave judges Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon in tears with their heart-rending rendition of This Is Me from The Greatest Dancer.

Britain's Got Talent fans were left emotional on Saturday as Simon Cowell sweetly kissed son Eric, 6, after being blown away by a father and son magic act.

Amanda Holden has been spending Easter Sunday in lockdown with her family.

Amanda Holden celebrated Easter Sunday by holding a gymnastics contest with her daughter Hollie, eight.

Sporting an elegant lilac waterfall coat with a baby blue pencil skirt and floral blouse, she ensured she was bringing summer to the streets

The TV judge, 49, wowed in a turquoise gown as she greeted fans at the Britain's Got Talent auditions, which were recorded weeks before the COVID-19 lockdown.

The comic took to the stage during the heart-stopping performance which saw motorcyclist Jack Price perform an array of dangerous stunts on top of and around him.

Taking to Instagram on Sunday, the Britain's Got Talent judge, 49, shared sun-drenched snaps of herself enjoying a boozy day off 'before school is back'

The Britain's Got Talent judge, 49,looked stunning as she arrived for another work day at the radio studios in London on Wednesday.

The Britain's Got Talent judge, 49, looked sensational in a casual chic ensemble as she arrived at work in London on Thursday.

The Britain's Got Talent judge, 49, opted for a simple grey vest and matching leggins as she listened to music during her walk in the sunshine on Monday.

A source claimed ahead of his audition the hotel manager, 54, asks the presenting duo to introduce themselves hinting he'd never heard of them despite their 30 years in the spotlight.

The Britain's Got Talent judge, 49, cut a glamorous figure for the day as she donned a beige long-sleeved dress with a deep v-neckline.