The stately option

IN ONE OF his films Terry Thomas disappears for some overnight skulduggery but leaves a tape loop running to make his wife think that he is still in the house having a meeting with his accountant. Every time she comes to listen at the door to check on him she happens to choose the point in the loop at which she hears the same refrain 'You mean to say I get so much out for such a small investment?'
Being aware of your clients' state pension provision can trigger just this phrase from them. A lot has been written about our wealthier clients and the A-day £1.5 million pension fund cap. This article looks at the other end of the scale and planning for mainly lower income clients and spouses with inadequate basic state pension provision.

The basics
An individual needs between 39 and...