Who is ARM Associates? ARM Associates is a trading name of FAFL Ltd. We are a family-oriented brokerage with a 50-year history of supporting clients across multiple generations. Our firm is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), firm reference number 1017569.
Where is your office located? Our registered office is located in Kenley, Surrey. We combine decades of offline prestige with modern digital solutions to serve the next generation of clients.
Does ARM Associates provide "off-the-shelf" investment advice? No. We do not offer "one-size-fits-all" solutions. Instead, we create Tailored Blueprints based on your unique objectives. We establish your Risk Tolerance using structured methodologies and psychometric profiling to ensure your portfolio aligns with both your emotional capacity for risk and your financial necessity for return.
What are the risks involved in investing?
Mandatory Disclosure: Capital at risk means that the value of your investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you originally invested.
How do you minimise investment risk? We minimise volatility through Strategic Asset Allocation, deep Diversification (spreading assets across geography, sectors, and asset classes), and disciplined Portfolio Rebalancing. This ensures that as markets move, your risk exposure remains within your predefined comfort zone.
How does the "60% effective tax rate" work, and how can I avoid it? In the 2025/2026 tax year, the freeze on income tax thresholds means more individuals are entering the higher-rate (40%) and additional-rate (45%) brackets. For those earning between £100,000 and £125,140, the withdrawal of the Personal Allowance creates a 60% effective tax rate.
The Solution: Making a pension contribution can reduce your "adjusted net income" back below £100,000, effectively reclaiming your Personal Allowance and securing 60% tax relief on that portion of your earnings.
The Power of Compounding: A Mathematical Illustration
To illustrate the power of tax-efficient accumulation: A monthly investment of £500 achieving a 5% net annual return over 25 years could grow to approximately £297,000. If that same investment is made via a pension (receiving 40% tax relief), the "cost" to a higher-rate taxpayer is significantly lower, while the growth potential remains identical.
How much can I pay into my pension in 2025? For the 2025/26 tax year, the Annual Allowance remains at £60,000 or 100% of your earnings, whichever is lower. This allows for significant tax-efficient wealth accumulation. It may be possible to used previous years' unused allowances.
What are the new pension lump sum limits? The Lifetime Allowance has been replaced by two specific caps:
Lump Sum Allowance (LSA): Capped at £268,275.
Lump Sum and Death Benefit Allowance (LSDBA): Capped at £1,073,100.
Will my pension be subject to Inheritance Tax (IHT)? Currently, unused pension pots are exempt from IHT. However, from April 2027, pensions will be included in the deceased's estate for tax calculations. Proactive planning now is essential for future wealth transfer.
Pensions have undergone massive legislative shifts over the last 24 months. We help you navigate the transition from the old Lifetime Allowance to the new regime.
What are the new Pension Allowance limits for 2026?
Annual Allowance: Generally £60,000 or 100% of earnings.
Lump Sum Allowance (LSA): Capped at £268,275.
Lump Sum and Death Benefit Allowance (LSDBA): Capped at £1,073,100.
When can I access my private pension? The normal minimum pension age is currently 55, rising to 57 on April 6, 2028.
Will my pension be subject to Inheritance Tax (IHT)? Historically, pensions were the most efficient way to pass on wealth. However, from April 2027, most unused pension funds will be included in IHT calculations. As 2027 approaches, new strategies involving Family Trusts or structured "gifting" may be required to maintain your succession goals.
Can I still get a mortgage if I am over 60? Yes. In the "Later Life" market, offering Retirement Interest Only (RIO) mortgages and Equity Release. RIO mortgages allow over-55s to pay only interest, with the loan typically repaid upon death or moving into long-term care.
Important: Equity release may reduce the value of your estate and could affect eligibility for means-tested benefits.
Why use an independent broker over a high-street bank? Banks only offer their own products. As independent brokers, ARM Associates has "whole of market" access, including exclusive deals and nuanced lenders who may ignore certain expenditures (like childcare) that banks count against your affordability.
Why are my home insurance premiums rising so fast? Since the pandemic, the cost of labor and building materials has surged. This has led to widespread Underinsurance.
Our Advice: Regularly update your "rebuild cost" estimate. If your home is insured for what you paid for it, rather than what it costs to rebuild today, your claim may not be paid in full.
Do I need to disclose "Home-Working" status? Yes. If you are remote-working or running a business from home, you must disclose this "Business Use." Failure to do so can invalidate your policy in the event of a fire or theft claim.
How does ARM Associates help during a claim? We don't just sell policies; we provide Expert Advocacy. In the event of a complex claim, we guide you through the process, often working alongside loss assessors to ensure you receive a fair and timely settlement from the insurer.
What is "Lifestyle Protection"? This is our term for Income Protection. It replaces a portion of your earnings if an illness or injury stops you from working. It ensures your mortgage is paid and your family's standard of living is maintained while you focus on recovery.
How do you define "Critical Illness" cover? Critical Illness is a policy that triggers a tax-free lump sum payout upon the diagnosis of a pre-defined condition. Common triggers include:
Specified types of Cancer.
Heart Attack.
Stroke. This payout acts as a "lifeline," allowing you to pay off debt or seek private medical treatment.