Lexington Times (October 2025)

Life Insurance and Inheritance Tax on Pensions: A Planning Opportunity

From 6 April 2027, if nothing changes, pension funds will fall within the scope of Inheritance Tax (IHT) at 40%. This shift means many families will face an unexpected tax burden, and for those with significant pension pots, the challenge could be substantial.

2025 Budget Speculations

After much speculation about what would be included in last year’s 2024 Budget, recent reports suggest significant changes await us in this year’s Budget.

THE STOCK MARKET (UPDATED OCTOBER 2025)

The key benchmark you should care about is achieving all of your financial and life goals and not running out of money.

The Unimportant Numbers – 1 Month

Monthly figures are a distraction from your long-term goals, we’ll help you avoid the noise.

The Important Numbers – 30 Years

Investing in the Great Companies of the World has produced life-changing returns for the disciplined and patient investor.

RATIONAL OPTIMISM

The media is not a friend of the disciplined and patient investor. Whether it’s on TV, Print or Online, the media prefers to focus on short-term returns, market predictions, and negative news. Which is not suitable for a long-term investor.

Below are the stories, podcasts, and images which we wanted to share with you this month, which are uplifting, interesting and informative.

These links below will take you to articles on other websites.

Interesting News

We present the following as an antidote to the onslaught of negative news.

Further Reading

Here are some articles you may find interesting this month.

Listen & Watch

A Picture is worth 1000 Words

  • Why Rare Earths Are Critical to EV Motors
    Electric vehicles are reshaping the demand landscape for rare earth elements. As EV sales surge worldwide, the motors that power them are becoming one of the fastest-growing sources of demand for rare earth magnets.
  • Sinking Fertility Rates in the World’s 10 Largest Countries
    Over the last half-century, fertility rates have collapsed around the globe. This demographic shift will result in a shrinking workforce, potentially adding a burden to pension and healthcare systems.
  • The Size of European Economies by GDP in 2025
    While many people picture Europe’s prosperity through the lens of its Western powerhouses, a closer look at Europe’s GDP by region reveals a more nuanced regional picture.