Now live: The latest Mortgage & Property Investment special edition of IFA Talk looks ahead to 2026 and beyond, exploring how shifting household behaviour, retirement sequencing, and property wealth are shaping modern financial planning.
In this episode, hosts Meg and Jenny are joined by Phillip Wickenden, founder and CEO of Ad Lucem. Phillip shares his insights on the changing landscape of adviser-client conversations, including the growing importance of retirement sequencing, the evolving role of property wealth, and why later-life lending and “home-in-the-plan” discussions are becoming increasingly central to financial planning.
Key discussion points also include:
- Household behavioural shifts heading into 2026 and what they mean for advisers
- How inheritance tax changes are affecting retirement sequencing and client decision-making
- Practical challenges advisers are facing more often, including managing client intent and tax implications
- The role of property wealth and later-life lending in modern, client-centred conversations
- How intergenerational advice creates both business opportunities and long-term client retention
This episode provides valuable insight for advisers looking to navigate the changing financial planning landscape, offering practical guidance and highlighting the opportunities for advisers to add value for clients in the year ahead.
If you’re looking for more, be sure to check out the Home in the Plan white paper from AIR later life, authored by Phillip Wickenden, founder and CEO of Ad Lucem, alongside Tony Wickenden, founder and managing director of Technical Connection. The paper explores the growing importance of property wealth, later-life lending and “home-in-the-plan” conversations in delivering more joined-up, client-centred financial advice.
You can also read the recent article from Phillip here, which further touches on why the family home is coming back into sharper focus for advisers and how the “which pot?” planning challenge is reshaping adviser-client conversations in 2026.
Be sure to check out the episode and all other episodes of IFA Talk on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon!
Phillip is the founder and CEO of Ad Lucem, a specialist research and communications agency serving the UK financial services sector. He is an experienced financial services strategist and writer, focusing on adviser behaviour, consumer outcomes and translating complex regulation and tax into clear, actionable narratives. He is also a regular columnist for Money Marketing, Professional Adviser and FT Adviser.
Disclaimer
IFA Talk is for financial professionals only. All material has been carefully checked for accuracy, but no responsibility can be accepted for inaccuracies. Wherever appropriate, independent research and whatever necessary legal advice should be sought before acting on any information contained in this podcast.
Value of investments and income from them go down as well as up, so you may not get back the amount you originally invested.
