Black Friday this year is 24th November. Love it or hate it, it's hard not to be tempted to scour the internet for a deal.
It's that time of the year when we run the Police Family Finance Index research again and would appreciate your support.
Police Officers are set to receive a 7% pay rise from September 1st, but how will it affect your finances?
Metfriendly CEO Annette Petchey talks about the expense of family life, in particular during the school summer holidays.
The cost of living is hitting the pockets of UK Police hard. The vast majority are saying they have financial concerns and some are missing meals due to lack of money, according to the latest findings in the Police Family Finance Index from Metfriendly.
Light the Lakes - Conquering peaks in remembrance of fallen colleagues. We’re proud to be supporting Light the Lakes with our 2023 photo competition.
Following the 2023 Spring Budget, new plans and restrictions are coming into place for the 2023/24 financial year that will directly affect Police Officers.
My most recent ride-along was actually more of a walk-along, as I went out with two Paired Patrols from Charing Cross Police Station’s Neighbourhood Policing team at the invitation of Insp. Greig Baker-Doyle.
The Government has revealed its latest financial plans in the Budget, with headline announcements regarding pensions, childcare costs and energy bills support.
I haven’t been on a Ride-Along for a while, so when Supt. Dan Rutland invited me to visit Central East Basic Command Unit (BCU), I was delighted to accept.
The results are in! From heartwarming stories to the three wise men, here are the responses to this year’s Christmas Quiz.
The Government has announced a new set of measures that will affect the finances of working people.
At the moment, money is a difficult point of conversation for a lot of us. The amount of stress within the Police Service is concerning, with some having missed meals and others giving money to colleagues to make sure they can eat.
As today's younger generations face a range of challenges in their financial lives, grandparents can play a vital role in helping their family members reach their goals and milestones.
“I’m concerned about the increased media coverage of frauds and scams– what are the key areas I should be aware of?”
The Government has announced a reversal of several of the measures in its mini-budget which will affect people’s finances.
The Government has announced a mini-budget featuring a range of measures that will affect working people's finances, including a reduction in income tax.
The Government has introduced a £1,900 salary uplift for all Police Officers in England and Wales, which equates to a 5% overall pay award across all ranks and pay points.
Since 1893, Metfriendly has been dedicated to helping serving and retired UK Police and their relatives. For Officers and Staff, we're here for you from the moment you begin life in the Service, helping to improve your financial circumstances, through to when you leave and beyond, just like we were[..]
Mark is 35, been in the job for over 15 years, and has been saving with Metfriendly since he started his career with the Police.
We’re proud to be supporting Light the Lakes with our 2022 photo competition.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced the Spring Statement of 2022 in the House of Commons on Wednesday (23rd March).
"I have worked in a lot of organisations over the years, and it is rare to see an objective so clearly drive the vast majority of activity and time."
As we have witnessed significant volatility in stock markets around the world linked to events in Ukraine we have been looking at ways to help our Members understand the impact of such financial movements on their Metfriendly investments.
I have been Metfriendly’s CEO for 10 months now, and my education in what the Police Family does is continuing with several meetings and other occasions.
Metfriendly are here to help improve your financial wellbeing. With the cost of living on the rise, it's important not to let things get out of hand, so now might be the time to review your finances and make changes. Why not look to Metfriendly to help you make some financial improvements?
The results of our Christmas Quiz are in, shedding light on everything from the best bits about policing at this time of year to your resolutions for 2022.
November 8th to 12th 2021 was Talk Money Week, an event organised by the Money & Pensions Service to encourage people to open up and start having conversations about financial matters.
We have come to the end of Talk Money Week, and I was delighted that we were able to address so many of the concerns raised by our friends in the Police.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a planned increase in pay for public sector workers in the Budget.
Once again we've produced our calendar in support of the London Retired Police Dogs Trust (LRPD) and it features stunning images of retired Police Dogs at iconic London locations.
To help you plan your first steps on the property ladder, we look at market trends, schemes and services that will help you make the most of your money.
When I write these blogs, I usually focus on my own life events, my family, and money rather than our members. This time is different because of an opportunity I was given recently, so please forgive my digression.
It’s the end of September, which means I have survived another year’s “return to school” challenge.
I have learned a lot from bees. I started keeping bees for almost entirely selfish reasons. I love honey and my late neighbour, a longstanding beekeeper, encouraged me to stop raiding his supplies, and start building my own.
I keep finding myself saying things to my two children that my parents said to me and my siblings as we were growing up.
It was great to finally see some family and friends over Easter after the long winter lockdown and the sunshine on Sunday really helped lift my spirits.
Getting into good savings habits can help you achieve financial security and reach all sorts of life goals, from going on holiday (when restrictions are eased and you have more freedom to travel) to buying a home.
The Government is set to launch a 95% mortgage guarantee scheme. Find out what you need to know about the plan and what it could mean for you.
The Government has announced its Budget for 2021-22. We take a look at some of the key talking points and what they could mean for you.
In these uncertain times, many of us are looking for something to cheer us up and keep us going, however we all need to be careful about what we get ourselves into, as without proper forethought, we may end up in a situation we do not want to be in.
The London Retired Police Dogs Trust has overcome the challenges of 2020 to do some amazing work in support of retired police dogs and their owners.
Metfriendly's 2020 Christmas Quiz provided some fascinating insights into everything from police officers' thoughts on the past year, to hopes and ambitions for 2021.
It's over ten years since I retired from the Metropolitan Police Service, and things have changed quite a bit for me.
Of course it's the time of year to be stuffing our faces with turkey and pigs in blankets, but this year why not try something different with the Team Police Advent Challenge?
Last week I hosted a wine tasting on Zoom for a friend of mine who is a member of a wine club. What does a wine tasting have to do with Metfriendly I hear you ask?
A quirk of Metfriendly being a Friendly Society is that some of the products it offers are unique to friendly Societies, like the Ten Year Savings plan.
I’ve spent the last few days reflecting on the National Police Memorial Day online service and wanted to share my thoughts with you as part of communications in my role as your Chair.
Nick’s recent blog: “Things I wish I could say to my younger self” has had lots of positive feedback within the Metfriendly community and if you haven’t read it yet it’s definitely worth a look. I particularly like the idea of not spending all of your pay rise – definitely a sensible idea. As Nick[..]
It's normal for us to want the best for future generations and those we're close to. Often that involves thinking about what we would say to our younger selves and offering a few words of wisdom.
It’s coming to the end of August and, despite the pandemic, for many of us its traditionally the time for family holidays and ice cream at the seaside. This month rather than talking about flavours of ice cream (Häagen-Dazs Salted Caramel for me!), I’ve been asked by a friend about different[..]
The Government has announced a 2.5% increase in police officer pay for 2020-21, matching the rise awarded last year.
Month 1 – How to perform a quick and simple money health check.
The Government has published a mini-budget designed to boost the economy amid Covid-19. Find out what the new measures could mean for you and your money.
What does the potential transfer of Police Mutual to Royal London mean for Metfriendly members?
Albert Einstein is quoted as saying “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it ... he who doesn't ... pays it.” He then went on to describe it as the “most powerful force in the universe”.
April is Stress Awareness Month, an event that aims to raise awareness of the "causes and cures for our modern stress epidemic".
As I sit writing this investment update, I’m at my desk looking out at the river at home rather than the town centre in the office in Orpington. We have all had to adapt to the unusual circumstances we find ourselves in.
The current situation with regard to COVID 19 is causing a lot of anxiety and fear throughout the country but can also be causing some financial distress to some. Below are some guides, tips and links to information that might be useful to you or your family.
As the COVID-19 outbreak takes its toll on British life and the economy, what can you do to help others and keep your own finances in check?
I wanted to give you an update on the impact of COVID-19 on Metfriendly. Our business is operating as normal and we are coordinating our response to the virus to ensure we can continue to deliver for our members, look after the health of our employees and maintain the continuity of our business.
Rishi Sunak has delivered his first Budget as Chancellor of the Exchequer, outlining the Government's financial plans for the 2020-21 fiscal year. The announcement was overshadowed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, which has affected stock markets around the world in the past few weeks.
Metfriendly's Kathy, (centre) along with Debbie (left) and Angela (right), both presenters at our Options seminars, were recently set some interesting questions by London Police Pensioner Magazine.
We’re delighted to announce the results of this year's quiz, revealing what our members really think about Christmas and what they're looking forward to in 2020.
Metfriendly new joiner Simon Horgan talks about why he’s passionate about helping police officers.
The Conservatives' big win in the 2019 general election provided the clarity that many people in the UK were hoping for, boosting financial markets in the process.
We're proud to support new charity the London Retired Police Dogs Trust, with whom we've produced our calendar.
"I have a Help to Buy ISA of over £4,000, but the Lifetime ISA looks better, what do I do now?"
With Help to Buy ISAs closed to new savers as of November 30th 2019, many people will be looking at other products to help them save up money for a deposit on a first home. One option is the Lifetime ISA. Likewise, if your child has a Child Trust Fund set to mature from next year onwards, it's[..]
With the recent release of the 2019/20 pay scales for Police Officers across the UK, here we offer a brief FAQ to address some of the most common questions surrounding police pay.
Our newest recruit, Joey, spoke to us about his role at Metfriendly, his parents' careers in the police and his financial plans for the future.
The property market can be a challenging place to find value, but with the right knowledge and research, you can secure a great deal.
The Government has announced a 2.5% pay award for police officers in 2019/20, coming into effect from 1 September 2019.
You get your payslip – and your eyes go straight to the bottom right-hand corner. How much did you get! And fair enough too – but just what do all those other parts mean?
This year we are proud to be supporting Light the Lakes.
We're delighted to announce that Metfriendly is now a proud sponsor of the Met Police Choir.
We're all guilty of spending time dreaming about retiring. This is particularly true when you've had a stressful day in the police service.
If you are actually approaching retirement from the police in the next few years there are so many things you will be thinking about. One of the most important[..]
Good, stable well-paid jobs can be very hard to come by, even for university graduates – and competition is fierce. Then there’s buying a home – each year more and more young adults are giving up on what was once a reasonably straight-forward decision.
The Met Police Rugby Club host Touch Rugby sessions at Imber Court on Monday nights from 7pm and you are invited to join.
Metfriendly have proudly sponsored the Memorial Flame at Hendon Regional Learning Centre since its inception in 2016.
This is just one of the questions you may be asking yourself on the run up to your retirement from the police service. So, if you’re looking for information to help you answer this and any other burning questions you might have, start here.
We would like to say thanks to female officers for their commitment and dedication to policing over the last century.
Make plans for getting the keys to your own home.
Buying your first home is exciting. But saving the deposit for your first home may seem more like a far off dream. Could a Lifetime ISA help you realise your dream more quickly? Here we explain what you need to know in order for you to take advantage of your options.
Now is a good time to be looking for your first home. First-time buyers have been helped by the recent stamp duty tax breaks and savings schemes like the Lifetime ISA.
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Kathy Byrne as the Society's next Chief Executive Officer.
Kathy Byrne has been appointed as Metfriendly’s new Chief Executive Officer and will take over the role from interim CEO Mark Myers as of 1st January 2019. Mark has led the Society since[..]
Once upon a time your ISA choices were straightforward. But now there are a lot of different types of ISAs on the market and choosing which one is right for you is a lot harder.
Teaching your kids about finance early can be a great way to set them up to be sensible spenders in adulthood.
The results of our Christmas Quiz are in and they paint a very festive picture for police officers in the UK.
Retirement may seem like a dream, however, it's important to ensure you are prepared for it to make the dream a reality.
Buying a secondhand car can be a complicated process, but our handy tips can make sure you have all the information you need to get a great deal.
Understanding where the taxman could owe you money can be a positive way to help safeguard your finances and ensure you're keeping hold of more of your pay every month.
Christmas is a particularly busy time for the police, and with so many public events and celebrations it’s easy to forget about everyday concerns.
Police officers can benefit greatly from a number of announcements made in October's Autumn Budget.
We are proud to have the UK's most senior police officer as our Honorary President.
We're excited to announce that this season, we're sponsoring the Metropolitan Police Rugby Football Club
We pay our respects to those Officers that tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.
This year at Notting Hill Carnival, we supplied Officers with our very own branded water bottles to ensure they kept hydrated throughout the day.
Effectively planning for the future means understanding the importance of having a will and knowing precisely what will happen to your assets and property after you die.
The Government has announced a 2% pay award for police officers in 2018/19, effective from 1 September 2018. Our useful guide offers clear information on how salaries are affected for officers at each rank and pay point.
Police officers approaching retirement should not be apprehensive for the future, as there are many fantastic opportunities that await you after leaving the service.
If like many parents and grandparents you are considering how you can help cover the cost of university we have put together some top tips to help you start planning and saving.
There are so many things to consider when buying your first home. Saving your deposit is likely to be your main concern but there are other fees and charges that you should be aware of so that you can build them into your overall budget.
