PRIME has published “Financing an active retirement”, a free guide to pensions for self-employed people over 50. The 32-page printed guide is being distributed free via libraries and Citizen’s Advice Bureaux. You can also download the PDF version immediately from here. PRIME is concerned that of the 12.5 million self-employed people in the UK, less - – - read more >

Only a third of the self-employed in Ireland are contributing to a pension – a very similar figure to in the UK. A study by Bank of Ireland Life suggests the reason may be lack of awareness of the tax incentives available rather than an inability to pay. Over 70% of those polled confessed ignorance - – - read more >

SCORE (originally Service Corps of Retired Executives) is a long-established US voluntary group that provides mentoring and other free help to American small businesses. There is some excellent stuff on its web site, including this workshop which talks you through drafting a business plan. If you don’t like the gimmicky interactive approach there are Word - – - read more >

A dozen small-business owners tell Business Week about their favourite mistake and what they learned from them Click on the arrows at top right to go through the slide show.  

Don’t be afraid to communicate something of your personality in your business plan – after all you are a vital ingredient in your startup. Just be sure to include the hard financial data too.

This article in the American CNN Money magazine touches on a problem people are encountering in the UK too. While “we all want our parents to stay healthy and live to be 100, the fact that so many more are sticking around than in previous generations is putting unanticipated financial pressure on their adult children”. - – - read more >

UK small businesses lack basic knowledge of employment law, according to compliance experts Croner. While many small business owners often remark on the cost and time involved in complying with complicated ‘red tape’, it’s actually the most basic principles that are tripping them up. The top five myths based on calls to the company’s helpline - – - read more >

Very American but very entertaining, this New York Times article is packed with examples – and also has some answers to the question it poses. Bottom line: those who earn their own money are less likely to lose it than those who inherit, marry, win or steal it. People who’ve made money themselves the hard - – - read more >

London’s Mayor Ken Livingstone was joined by celebs to launch “Valuing Older People”, the capital’s first ever strategy for the over-50s. London is often seen as a city of young people, but almost 16 per cent of the city’s population – nearly 1.2 million people – are aged 60 or over, and almost a quarter - – - read more >

A still-interesting article from Newsweek back in January 2006 about what’s happening  around the world as countries try to adapt to their ageing workforce. For example, Finland has introduced “bonus pensions” for people working until 68, giving them a financial incentive to continue working—and paying taxes. According to Newsweek, the employment rate among those 60 - – - read more >