Dear John; Do you need some good, financial advice? Your Money editor John Husband, and his team can help.

Byline: JOHN HUSBAND

QMY mother receives the Registered Nursing Care Contribution that helps towards the cost of her nursing home fees. I've been told that if she goes into hospital, this benefit will cease.

ATHAT'S right. The government pays this contribution for her because of the NHS help she needs in her home. If she goes into hospital temporarily, she will automatically get free NHS treatment.

Q I HAVE pensions with some of the "zombie" companies you advised on recently. What happens if any of them goes bust?

A YOU would be covered by the Financial Services Compensation scheme for all of the first pounds 2,000 you invested and 90 per cent of the rest. PMI (0800 018 3751) offers free advice on "zombie pensions" to Mirror readers.

Q I AM about to retire and will be purchasing an annuity with my pension fund. How safe are annuities?

A THEY should be very safe. By law insurance companies have to keep substantial reserves to cover any guaranteed payments such as annuities. Don't forget you can shop around for the best annuity rate and don't have to to take the one offered by your current pension provider. PMI offers free annuity advice for Mirror readers. Call 0800 018 3751.

Q WE would like to give some money each year to our children to reduce any inheritance tax. What are the rules and how much can we give as gifts?

A EACH person can gift up to pounds 3,000 a year free of inheritance tax (IHT). Larger amounts will be Potential Exempt Transfers and may be liable to IHT if you do not survive for seven years. For a free guide further explaining IHT, call 0800 544 644. Levels, basis of, and relief from taxation are subject to change.

Q I THOUGHT the amount you can save in an ISA was going down this April, but my friend says the Chancellor has changed his mind. What is happening?

AGORDON Brown was to reduce ISA investment this April, but in his December pre-Budget announcement he said the existing pounds 7,000 maximum may remain until 2009. For a free guide to ISA investment ring 0800 544 644.

THANKS to my team of independent financial advisers, John Cooper of Weston Financial Group, John Stewart of PMI, and Rachel Twigg of Inter-Alliance Group. For independent advice send an SAE to Mirror Money Independent Advice Bureau, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AP. Give your age, income, family circumstances, mortgage, details of savings and pension plans and your home phone number.