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QMY mortgage deal comes to an end in about five months time. Do I have to wait until the term finishes before I find another deal? I’m concerned about possible rate rises in that time.

AMOST lenders allow you to secure a new mortgage deal up to six months before your current one ends. This will help to ensure you don’t have any uncertainty at the end of your current term.

QMY wife and I own our home. We have been told about using a trust on our property. Will this protect our property should we need care in the future?

AUSING a trust seems like an easy way to protect your home, but local authorities are increasingly getting wise to these schemes, and have staff who ensure people are not using them to get out of paying care costs. Tread carefully and seek advice from a specialist legal firm.

QI’M in my 60s and still working. I have a final-salary pension with a company I used to work for and have been offered a generous lump sum and monthly income. The problem is it would push me into a higher tax bracket. To help avoid this I’ve been advised I can put it into another annuity plan I have but I’m concerned I will be putting all my eggs in one basket.

AI would also be concerned if I was advised to transfer a final-salary pension into an annuity as you risk getting less money. With a final-salary pension you usually get a guaranteed income for life. However, it may be possible to transfer to a flexible pension arrangement where you can control the regular pension income and your tax status. Speak to a specialist independent financial adviser who can help you to decide the right options with your pensions.

Financial editor Tricia Phillips answers your questions