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How to reduce Inheritance Tax by leaving a gift
17th August 2022
Planning for your wealth preservation and the eventual transfer of that wealth When you’ve worked hard and invested carefully to build your wealth, you want to look after it. That’s why it’s important to plan for your wealth preservation and the eventual transfer of that wealth.
Read more of How to reduce Inheritance Tax by leaving a gift
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Signs you’re really ready to retire
15th August 2022
No one-size-fits-all answer to this question When is the right time to retire? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question – it depends on your personal circumstances. However, there are a few things to consider that may help you decide when the right time for you is.
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Tips for a healthy pension as you approach retirement
11th August 2022
What really important retirement questions should you be asking? As you approach the last five years before your retirement, there will be a lot of things to consider. You’ll need to think about your finances, your health, your housing situation, and your plans for the future to live comfortably in retirement.
Read more of Tips for a healthy pension as you approach retirement
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Inflation eating your savings?
10th August 2022
How to benefit from tax reliefs in the current financial year As your income increases, the complexity of your finances may too. Tax-efficiency is a key consideration when investing because it can make such an enormous difference to your wealth and quality of life.
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Cost of “saver inaction”
4th August 2022
Millions of savers think inflation will leave them better off Despite inflation reaching its highest rate for many decades, some people in the UK are not aware of its impact on their finances. More than half of all cash savers (52%) don’t know what impact inflation will have on the real value of their cash savings over time.
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Show me the money
3rd August 2022
How to invest your money and avoid costly mistakes The staggering impact of the gender pension gap has been revealed in new research[1] which shows that women have lower pension pot sizes in every age bracket, with the situation significantly deteriorating as they approach retirement. Worryingly, women on average retire with less than half the income of men.
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Show me the money!
3rd August 2022
The staggering impact of the gender pension gap has been revealed in new research[1] which shows that women have lower pension pot sizes in every age bracket, with the situation significantly deteriorating as they approach retirement. Worryingly, women on average retire with less than half the income of men.
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Self-employed vulnerable to financial shocks
1st August 2022
New research highlights that 81% aren’t seeking financial advice As more and more people reject the traditional working structure in favour of becoming self-employed, some people could be at risk of financial insecurity as they lose out on employee benefits that offer protection in the present, and financial planning for the future.
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Managing the impact to your pension
28th July 2022
Just two out of five have planned for inflation in retirement Retirement planning can be complex at the best of times so it is easy to understand how some people can find it daunting to take into account factors like inflation. The reality is that inflation hurts everyone, but it can be especially harmful to retirees.
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Rising cost of living crisis
27th July 2022
3 tips to maintain your financial wellbeing The rising cost of living is one of the most pressing issues facing many families today. The price of food, energy, fuel and other necessities has risen significantly in recent months. This has made it difficult to make ends meet and has put a strain on many household budgets.
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Wealth vs health
25th July 2022
More than half ignore medical advice and work despite poor health due to financial worries When you are off work due to an illness or injury, worries about how you are going to pay your bills can make an already stressful situation worse. So much so, that many people are finding themselves in the very difficult position of having to put the need to earn money over their health by continuing to go to work, even when advised not to by a doctor.
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Building an investment portfolio
4th July 2022
4 steps for future wealth creation in your mid-20s to mid-30s Investing can be challenging for anyone, but for those in their mid-20s to mid-30s, it can be especially daunting to build a portfolio – especially while paying off student loans, credit card debt and establishing some savings.
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Love and money
30th June 2022
Couples reveal they’re poles apart Most couples hate talking about money and find it a hard subject to discuss. However, while it may not seem like the most romantic topic, if you don’t talk about what you each want from your finances and how to manage your money, it’s likely to result in more friction and arguments.
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Protecting family wealth
27th June 2022
What will your legacy look like? Estate planning is about putting your affairs in order, to help make the lives of your loved ones easier. It can help to protect your estate for your beneficiaries and reduce the impact of Inheritance Tax (commonly called IHT for short).
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‘Home is my Pension’ generation
23rd June 2022
22% rise in people using property to support their retirement The significant increase in property prices in recent years has likely shifted many people’s expectations of the role property wealth will eventually play in supporting their retirement. With people spending longer in retirement, one of the challenges that many need to overcome is how to fund it and how to meet the financial demands they may face in later life, such as the cost of long-term care.
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Fed up with your nine-to-five?
21st June 2022
Sixty the most popular age to retire early There are many factors that can influence when someone decides to retire. For some, it may be based on health reasons, while others may want to take advantage of government benefits or simply enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle. However, one of the most common factors that determines when people choose to retire is their age.
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Scammers’ ‘socially engineer’ victims
20th June 2022
17% increase in suspicious or scam-related activity Any of us can fall victim to a scam. Scams are increasingly common and many people are caught out. They can be very distressing, and the impact is often emotional as well as financial. If you’ve been the victim of a scam, remember that you’re not alone
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Future Wealth
17th June 2022
The average British child is worth just under £5,000 by the time they reach school When we talk about the Bank of Mum and Dad, we are effectively talking about handing money over to your children. There are many reasons why your descendants might look to you for financial support, and many routes you could take in funding them, if you so choose.
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Gender Pension Gap widens
6th June 2022
Women have lower pension pot sizes in every age bracket The staggering impact of the gender pension gap has been revealed in new research[1] which shows that women have lower pension pot sizes in every age bracket, with the situation significantly deteriorating as they approach retirement. Worryingly, women on average retire with less than half the income of men.
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More Britons insure their homes than their lives
25th May 2022
Ensure your financial security for when you might need it most There are a number of reasons why you might need life cover and critical illness cover. If you have dependents, then it is important to make sure that they will be financially secure if something happens to you. If you have a mortgage or other debts, then life cover can help to pay these off.
Read more of More Britons insure their homes than their lives
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Tax in uncertain times
23rd May 2022
Key financial changes that have affected millions of people from April
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Passing on wealth to the next generation
18th May 2022
30 million parents want to leave wealth in their Will Research[1] has highlighted how millions of Britons say they want to plan to pass on wealth to their children and grandchildren in a Will – but fewer than half have written one. Failing to plan write a Will or complete estate planning could potentially lead to a significant Inheritance Tax (commonly called IHT for short) bill being levied on a person’s estate when they die.
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Millions of midlifers are propping up their families
13th May 2022
Impact on work, wealth and wellbeing putting further pressure on age group The financial decisions made by individuals as they reach retirement could have significant consequences on their finances and standards of living. Midlifers (people aged 40 to 60) are facing a challenging backdrop, with rising inflation and increasing energy bills putting further pressure on an age group that is already juggling multiple headwinds.
Read more of Millions of midlifers are propping up their families
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Extending the scope of the trust register
3rd May 2022
Deadline for non-taxable trust registrations announced Trusts are a way of managing wealth, money, investments, land or property, for you, your family or anyone else you’d like to benefit. When you put assets in a trust, they are under the control of an appointed person or persons called ‘trustees’. The trustees then manage the trust according to your instructions, even after your death.
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Unlocking cash from the value of your home
29th April 2022
Homeowners release a record-breaking £4.4bn in property wealth Despite the pandemic, 2021 saw older homeowners release a record-breaking £4.4bn in property wealth at a rate of more than £12m a day to help family members and secure their own finances by repaying debt or remortgaging existing borrowing, according to newly released data[1].
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Smart money habits
25th April 2022
Best practise, smart money habits Does the idea of looking at your bank account cause a sense of dread? Does the ping of your banking app make you question every single one of your spending choices?
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How confident are you about your retirement?
22nd April 2022
Hopes, fears and aspirations of people approaching and in retirement People aged between 55 and 64 are now less confident about their retirement than they were a year ago, with over-55s most likely to be worried about rising prices.
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Inheritance Tax
14th April 2022
What will your legacy look like? Intergenerational planning helps you put financial measures in place to benefit your children later in life, and even your future grandchildren, but it’s important to start planning early.
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Will I be able to retire when I want to?
8th April 2022
Financial planning and advice for the “unretired” The changes in the retirement landscape mean that many people today are having to adjust their outlook towards retirement. With more people living longer, expectations of retirement are being reshaped and there is no longer a one-size-fits-all approach to retirement planning.
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Roadmap for investors
5th April 2022
Increased confidence portfolios will perform well in 2022 In 2021, there was a return to some form of normality across a vast majority of regions following successful vaccine roll-outs around the globe. But will the economic rebound continue in 2022, or be stymied by rising energy prices, higher inflation and further continued uncertainty brought about by the pandemic fallout?
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‘Job for life’ a thing of the past
1st April 2022
Most millennials and Gen Z have two or more pension pots If you’ve worked multiple jobs over the years, you may have been auto-enrolled into a number of pension plans by past employers. You might also have a few pension plans that you opened yourself. Keeping track of all your plans’ policy numbers and knowing exactly how much is in each of them might start to get confusing as the years go by.
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Disrupting social plans leads to savings surge
28th March 2022
Britons saved almost £4bn as a result of the Omicron variant New research[1] has highlighted Britons saved almost £4bn[2] as a result of the Omicron variant disrupting social plans during the festive period.
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“Time is money”
24th March 2022
Five principles of investing everyone should know Are your investments working as hard as they could be? With so many options out there, it can be confusing. We can help you navigate your options and provide a personalised recommendation based on your investment goals.
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Invest your way out of inflation
23rd March 2022
Why now is the time to make sure you protect your wealth The word ‘inflation’ had barely featured in the market’s vocabulary in the last three decades until it suddenly started to come back with a vengeance in 2021. As higher inflation looks set to persist in 2022, finding ways to generate a return on investments greater than inflation will be a key investment theme – otherwise your wealth falls in real terms.
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How much do I need to save to retire?
21st March 2022
Questions to help you live your best life in later life The question,’Have I saved enough to retire?’ is a difficult one. It requires a lot of information about you, your family, your income needs in retirement, and an understanding of the various financial vehicles available for saving and investing before it can be answered definitively. It’s hard to know exactly how much you’ll need in later life because everyone has different circumstances and different expectations. But by planning how much you’ll need, and working out how best to build up your pension pot, you’ll be in a better position to live your best life in later life. Most people know they should save money to fund their retirement. But they may not know, however, how much money they should be saving in order to retire comfortably. So what should you consider?
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Improving your financial health
17th March 2022
Staying on track to achieving specific financial goals All of your financial decisions and activities have an effect on your financial health. To help improve your financial health during this period of rising inflation and interest rates, we look at three areas that could help keep you on track to achieving your specific financial goals.
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Looking to build a bigger pension?
16th March 2022
Don’t miss the deadline to give your pension savings a boost As another extraordinary financial year comes to a close, it’s more important than ever to make good use of your annual pension allowances. Giving your pension savings a boost and assessing where you stand will give you peace of mind that you are on track to enjoying the retirement you are planning for.
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Getting ready to retire?
10th March 2022
Bolstering your retirement lifestyle as you approach retirement Have you ever wondered what you need to consider as you approach retirement? Whatever your concept of what is a good pension pot, one certainty is that relying on the State Pension alone will not give you a good enough pension to live on comfortably through your retirement.
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Pension freedoms
9th March 2022
You work, you save and then you retire A full and happy retirement is a priority for many. But no two people are alike. A ’one-size-fits-all’ system cannot accurately account for everyone’s individual lifestyle choices, so it makes sense that the way you prepare for your future is likely to be different from others.
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Cost-of-living crunch
7th March 2022
Savers still recognise the importance of long-term planning Britain’s cost-of-living crunch has hit the country hard, with inflation at its highest level in three decades, petrol prices spiralling, retail price increases rising to their highest levels in ten years and, most recently, Ofgem announcing a 54% price hike in energy bills affecting 22 million households.
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Saving for a rainy day
2nd March 2022
What’s the right emergency fund amount for you? An emergency fund is money you put aside to cover a financial shock. This could be losing your job, or a large, unexpected expense. Building an emergency fund can help prevent you needing to borrow money or make difficult financial decisions in those moments, by giving you savings to fall back on.
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Live sustainably: how to be a conscious consumer
28th February 2022
The everyday choices we make all have impacts on our planet Our changing climate is making it harder to live in many parts of the world, often affecting some of the most disadvantaged communities. People are starting to realise that change is imminent and necessary.
Read more of Live sustainably: how to be a conscious consumer
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What’s your magic number?
24th February 2022
Keeping up your current lifestyle and enjoying your golden years People planning for retirement should think hard about what they want to do when they eventually stop work. It is helpful to have a good idea of the lifestyle you want, how much it will cost and how you are going to pay for it.
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Missing midlife workers
21st February 2022
Redundancy pushes over 50s out of the workforce The economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic has made Britain’s workforce smaller, with a sharp rise in early retirement among older workers
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Could equity release fund your future?
18th February 2022
Freeing up funds or releasing money tied up in your home For some people in the future using their home to fund their retirement is likely to become more commonplace, whether that’s by downsizing to free up funds or releasing money tied up in their home through products like lifetime mortgages.
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Across the generations
15th February 2022
Pandemic forces people to reassess their finances The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every part of our lives and continues to have a widespread impact across all aspects of financial life. This includes retirement plans. Life in lockdown prompted many people to adjust their priorities, for example, move nearer to family, take staggered retirement or retire earlier.
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The importance of financial protection
11th February 2022
Millions battling with financial hardship, relationship stress and sleepless nights Fear, worry, and stress are normal responses to perceived or real threats, and at times when we are faced with uncertainty or the unknown. So it is normal and understandable that people are experiencing fear in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Mind the pension gender gap
9th February 2022
Women are being urged to think about their long term savings Imagine reaching retirement age and discovering that, despite years of saving, you don’t have enough money to get by. Worse still, suppose you’re unable to pay for the right kind of care in your old age.
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It may be time to invest your cash
7th February 2022
Is your wealth protected from the damaging effects of inflation? Many people underestimate the damaging effect of low interest and high inflation on their cash savings. A continued period of low interest rates on cash savings and rising inflation could pose a real risk to savers in 2022 even if the Bank of England (BoE) moves to increase interest rates further in the coming months.
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New Year’s tax saving resolutions
3rd February 2022
Make full use of your relevant tax planning opportunities With the tax year end, 5 April on the horizon, taking action now may give you the opportunity to take advantage of any remaining reliefs, allowances and exemptions.
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Get ready to beat the ISA deadline
2nd February 2022
Time to give your financial future a boost? Savers and investors have less than three months to use the £20,000 they can put into their tax-efficient Individual Savings Account (ISA) before the end of the financial year on April 5. The current tax year started on 6 April 2021 and ends on 5 April 2022.
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Beyond profit
27th January 2022
How green is your pension? The consequences of inaction on climate change are now impossible to ignore. Every company has an impact on the world around us. And by investing in them, so do we.
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Improve your financial life
21st January 2022
Setting a financial New Year’s resolution you’ll actually keep Heading into the New Year, it’s the perfect time to take stock of your budget, liabilities and investments—and check them against your financial goals. The New Year brings an opportunity to reflect on the past year and to set new goals for the year ahead.
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Time to bring your pensions together?
19th January 2022
3.6 million Britons have lost track of their pension savings The more old pensions you do have, the easier it is to end up losing one. Tracing pensions from years ago can be a hassle. Over 3.6 million Britons admit they have no idea how many pensions they have and risk paying more in fees than necessary, according to new research[1].
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Create a better world to live and retire in
10th January 2022
Pension investments to harness a more sustainable planet Few people are aware of what their workplace pension invests in, let alone how their pension provider incorporates environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters into the process.
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Minimum pension age on the up!
30th December 2021
Increase intended to align with the raising of the State Pension age One of the less publicised pension changes being planned is the raising of the Normal Minimum Pension Age (NMPA) from 55 to 57. This is to be effective from 2028 and will be included in next year’s Finance Bill. The NMPA is the age that you can usually first access pension benefits without incurring penal tax charges.
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Planning for the road ahead
29th December 2021
Gen Z’s caring nature supporting both themselves and loved ones Younger generations deserve much more credit for planning ahead and beginning to think about retirement when it will still feel so far away for them, according to new research[1].
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What do your retirement plans look like?
22nd December 2021
Pandemic sparks a surge in over-50s seeking professional financial advice The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has sparked a surge in people over 50 seeking professional financial advice[1]. For many, a sudden shift in their financial status has been overwhelming.
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Is freedom today hurting freedom tomorrow?
20th December 2021
Tax-free cash allowances putting some retirements at risk A new study has identified that Britain’s future pensioners are putting their retirement future at risk by withdrawing cash from their pension pots while still in the accumulation phase[1]. The findings were that some people are confusing their pension pots for savings accounts, which may have a detrimental impact on their retirement.
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New vision for older workers needed, retain, retrain, recruit
16th December 2021
Age discrimination impacts job prospects of three million over-50s A total of 2.99 million recent job seekers over 50 (52%) believe their age has made employers less likely to hire them, according to a new report[1].
Read more of New vision for older workers needed, retain, retrain, recruit
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Significant impact on retirement prospects and planning
15th December 2021
£5.3 billion lost from over-50s’ retirement pots throughout the course of the pandemic Over-50s workers in the UK could have a £5.3 billion hole in their collective pension pot due to cutbacks on retirement savings over the course of the pandemic, according to new research[1].
Read more of Significant impact on retirement prospects and planning
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Post-lockdown boost to financial wellbeing fades
13th December 2021
Continuing impact on people’s physical health and financial wellbeing The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had, and will continue to have, a major impact on our lives. It is not just impacting on people’s physical health but also their financial wellbeing. The economic consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak for some people will make it harder for them to achieve their financial goals.
Read more of Post-lockdown boost to financial wellbeing fades
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Investing with impact
9th December 2021
How ESG creates long-term value It’s no secret that the growth of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investments in recent years has been fundamental.
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Generation vexed
6th December 2021
A third of Gen Xers not confident they can fund their retirement With 57% of Gen Xers wanting to save more for retirement but struggling to do so, a quarter (25%) plan to work part-time past the State Pension Age (SPA) to plug an expected income shortfall in retirement, while 17% plan to work full-time. However, they have serious concerns about whether they will be able to continue working later in life.
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Planning for early retirement
1st December 2021
What are the financial consequences to stopping work in your 50s? Early retirement may be the ultimate dream for some, but the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic made it the only option for many. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that over-50s had the highest redundancy rate between December 2020 and February 2021[1].
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The power of a plan
29th November 2021
How to create a personal financial plan in 8 steps When thinking about your future financial wellbeing, it can be helpful to consider a plan. It is a good idea to have a clear sense of what you want from life and use this as a guide for making important decisions.
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Pensions and retirement still remain a taboo
25th November 2021
When it comes to marriage and money, it’s good to talk Millions of married couples have no idea about their spouse’s pensions and retirement plans, according to new research[1]. More than three-quarters (78%) of non-retired married[2] people do not know what their spouse’s pensions are worth.
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Festive gifts that teach children the value of money
24th November 2021
Why parents should look to Christmas investment gifts instead of toys With the festive season approaching, have you thought about gifting your children or grandchildren something different this year? Giving them a good start in life by making investments into their future can make all the difference in today’s more complex world.
Read more of Festive gifts that teach children the value of money
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UK pensioners underpaid
22nd November 2021
More than £1 billion in State Pensions impacted due to ‘repeated human errors’ The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) underpaid 134,000 pensioners in State Pension to the tune of £1 billion, according to the National Audit Office (NAO)[1].
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How can I protect my money from inflation?
17th November 2021
Five questions to ask before inflation really takes off ‘How can I protect my money from inflation?’ is a question that many people may be asking themselves right now. In the current economic climate, rising inflation is becoming a concern for people with savings and investments.
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Change to the state pension triple lock
15th November 2021
Pensioners ‘deeply disappointed’, particularly women and self-employed The earnings benchmark of the State Pension triple lock will be temporarily set aside for next year. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed on 7 September that the State Pension triple lock rule will not be applied for the 2022/23 financial year over concerns of the potential costs involved.
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Pandemic triggers shift to saving
11th November 2021
People thinking more about their spending and financial priorities The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has lead to more people re-thinking how they spend and manage their money, with more than half (51%) now prioritising saving for an unexpected event or loss of income, research published suggests[1].
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What will happen to your pension when you die?
27th October 2021
Providing an income or nest egg for your loved ones to enjoy, long after you are gone The way that you decide to take your pension will affect what you can do with it when you pass away. While it’s not always easy to talk about, the way you eventually pass on your pension has the biggest impact on other people, so it will help talking to your spouse, children - or other people close to you, when you’re deciding how you take your pension savings.
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Retirement plans being put in jeopardy
20th October 2021
Pandemic threatens pushing over 50s into pension poverty More than half (53%) of people in their 50s fear running out of money in retirement, as they have been the most likely to face job and income losses of any age group during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (23%), according to a new report[1].
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Intergenerational financial planning
18th October 2021
COVID-19 increases desire for sustainable investing for half of UK adults The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has prompted a desire to move into ethical and sustainable investing for more than half (51%) of advised UK adults, according to a new report[1]. And while the trend is common across the generations, it’s Millennials who are leading the charge.
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Financial futures
13th October 2021
Gen Xers expected to face significant challenges in retirement With many ‘Gen Xers’ (those born between 1965 and 1980) having entered the job market too late to benefit from final salary pensions, yet too early to benefit from schemes such as auto-enrolment, this group is expected to face significant challenges in retirement, if policymakers fail to respond urgently.
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Property wealth boost
6th October 2021
Older homeowners receive £1.94 billion Older homeowners received a £1.94 billion property wealth boost in the first half of 2021, data shows[1]. More than half of the proceeds of equity release (52%) were used to clear mortgages (45%) and manage unsecured debts (7%) while 23% was used to help family and friends – notably for help with house deposits as buyers rushed to beat the end of the Stamp Duty holiday.
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How has COVID-19 affected retirement plans?
4th October 2021
Attitudes and aspirations of this year’s retirees The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted on every aspect of our lives, affecting individuals’ financial situation and for many, their plans for retirement. If you are approaching retirement in the next 12 months, your plans should be under continuous review.
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Coping with life-changing events
30th September 2021
Plan for tomorrow, live for today Change is the only constant in life. It inevitably involves twists and turns, with some that are expected while others may be entirely unplanned. When this happens, it’s important to feel secure with the knowledge that you have the right contingency plan in place.
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How to trace multiple old pension pots
27th September 2021
Over time, pension schemes close, merge or become renamed Changed job? Moved house? It’s not always easy to keep track of a pension, especially if you’ve been in more than one scheme or have changed employers throughout your career. Over time, pension schemes close, merge or become renamed. So even if you remember the name of your scheme, it could now be called something else.
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Preparing for the unexpected
23rd September 2021
Protection should be a core part of your financial plan If you are worried illness or injury could leave you without enough to pay bills, there are solutions to help protect your income. While some people could rely on state benefits as a safety net if they experienced a sudden loss of income, for many the drop in income would be too severe to maintain their standard of living.
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Build your own financial plan
22nd September 2021
Vision without action is merely a dream Having a financial plan in place early on can make it easier to manage your money further down the line. It’s never too early to make a financial plan. The sooner you work out your goals and start following a plan to achieve them, the more likely you are to succeed.
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Top pension tips if you’re about to retire
20th September 2021
Understanding your options and putting a plan in place We spend our working lives building towards retirement. Choices we make today will have a big impact on the quality of our lives later on. If you only have a handful of years to go until you reach your retirement, it has never been more important to understand your options and put a plan in place – now could be a good time to re-evaluate your plans with us.
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Making inheritance gifts from surplus income
16th September 2021
Are you making use of this useful and much under-utilised exemption? If you want to make inheritance gifts from surplus or excess income, there is a useful and much under-utilised exemption that allows gifts over and above the value of £3,000 per annum to be made without these gifts forming part of your estate if you die within seven years of making them.
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Inheritance Tax
13th September 2021
Minimising the impact of on your estate The latest Inheritance Tax (IHT) statistics show an additional 4% was added to HM Revenue & Customs receipts compared to the previous year[1]. IHT is a tax payable when you die. Whether your beneficiaries have to pay it, and how much they’ll pay, is based on the value of your estate.
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Protect yourself from pension scams
1st September 2021
Understanding the warning signs to keep your money safe Being online more means criminals have a greater opportunity to approach unsuspecting victims with their scams. Online scams can have a devastating financial and emotional impact on victims.
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Pension tax relief
27th August 2021
27% of people surveyed did not know how it worked To encourage saving for retirement, the government pays tax relief on pension contributions. This means that your pension provider can claim tax back from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and add that amount to each contribution you make.
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No such thing as a ‘no-risk’ investment
26th August 2021
Knowing how much risk you are comfortable taking is key All investments carry some degree of risk. When you invest, you make choices about what to do with your financial assets. Risk is any uncertainty with respect to your investments that has the potential to negatively affect your financial welfare.
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Pension Freedoms
24th August 2021
Looking for a wider choice of investment options? Saving for your retirement is one of the longest and biggest financial commitments you will ever make. Imagine you’re retiring today. Have you thought about how you’re going to financially support yourself (and potentially your family too) with your current pension savings? The pension freedoms introduced in 2015 provide even more of an incentive to look again at your retirement savings.
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Money’s too tight to mention
23rd August 2021
Looking to retire from work, not a paycheck? When it comes to retirement insecurity, one concern dominates all others, the fear of running out of money during retirement and with people living longer than ever before, it’s a very valid concern.
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Evolution of ESG investing
18th August 2021
Changing face of consumer ethics and behaviours The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has prompted a desire to move into ethical and sustainable investing for more than half (51%) of advised UK adults, according a new report[1]. And while the trend is common across the generations, it’s Millennials who are leading the charge.
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COVID-19 fallout
16th August 2021
24% of the UK population feel financially worse off than before the pandemic During he past year and a half we’ve experienced a stock market collapse, soaring unemployment, millions deferring their mortgage payments – and paradoxically, a booming housing market, plus bulging savings accounts.
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Plan the perfect retirement
13th August 2021
Creating a comfortable, secure retirement takes care and forethought If you’re 10 to 15 years from retirement, you’re probably starting to think more about how you’ll spend your life after work. You might be contemplating travelling more, dedicating more time to your passions, or enjoying more free time with your family.
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Pension Lifetime Allowance
12th August 2021
Do you need to take action to avoid risking additional tax charges in retirement? When it comes to your pension, you might assume that the more that you can save into it, the better. But that’s not always the case. Once your pension savings reach a certain level, you may need to take action to avoid risking additional tax charges in retirement.
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Changing tax landscape
11th August 2021
Time to take a different view and organise your financial affairs? Tax planning should enable you to arrange your affairs in ways that postpone or legally avoid taxes. No one likes to pay tax on their hard-earned money so by employing effective tax planning strategies, you could have more money to save and invest or more money to spend. Or both. Your choice.
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Creating wealth for children
10th August 2021
Investing isn’t just a luxury reserved for adults Saving for a child today is a wonderful gift for their future. Whether you want to help them buy their first car, contribute to their first home or even set them up for a comfortable retirement, there is little more fulfilling than providing financial security for your children or grandchildren.
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How to future-proof your finances as a parent
5th August 2021
A momentous event that can change every aspect of your financial stability The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had a shattering effect on the country. Future-proofing your finances can help you feel more secure about what lies ahead – whether that’s preparing for big life milestones, such as starting a family, or navigating difficult periods, such as unemployment or poor health.
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Wealth preservation
3rd August 2021
How to minimise a Capital Gains Tax bill The rules around Capital Gains Tax (CGT) are complex and they differ depending on your financial situation. It’s a complicated tax and as a result some people may get confused about how much they should expect to pay.
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Plan for tomorrow, live for today
28th July 2021
Helping you achieve your financial goals The key steps toward financial security are to translate them into your own terms. What, exactly, are your personal financial goals? If you have trouble sorting them out, try classifying them as either wants or needs.
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Mind the divorce Gap
27th July 2021
Women see incomes fall by 33% following divorce, compared to just 18% for men Divorce is an emotionally charged event – and can be an expensive one. The financial impact of divorce can also last for decades and carry on into older age. Women are also often impacted harder financially by divorce, new research highlights.
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Reappraisal of urban living
22nd July 2021
3 million people in the UK aged over 50 considering relocating The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has lead to a reappraisal of urban living, with increasing numbers fleeing city confines in search of green space.
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‘It’s not what you earn, it’s what you keep’
21st July 2021
The potential impact to your expected retirement income over time When you’re planning your retirement income, there are multiple factors to consider: how much you can expect from the State Pension, the value of the pensions you have accumulated in your working life, your projected outgoings, and your potential later life expenses.
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Pension Boost
19th July 2021
Are you claiming all of the generous tax relief you’re entitled to? The unique combination of tax breaks and flexible access available to pensions make them a compelling choice when saving for retirement. One of the key benefits of saving into a pension rather than another type of savings or investment vehicle is the generous tax relief you’re entitled to receive.
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Protecting Family Wealth
15th July 2021
Start planning your legacy to mitigate or reduce Inheritance Tax If you’ve worked hard throughout your lifetime to grow your wealth, and hope it will help to safeguard the financial security of your loved ones after you’ve gone. But without careful planning in your lifetime, you could leave them with less than expected after the Inheritance Tax bill is paid.
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Retirement Planning Journey
14th July 2021
What you need to consider at every life stage When you’re starting out working in your 20s, you may not be thinking about retirement in 40 years. The same goes for your 30s, 40s and even 50s. There is always something on the horizon you could be saving for besides your retirement.
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Pension Lifetime Allowance
1st July 2021
How to stay within the limit to avoid a tax charge If you’ve been diligently saving into a pension throughout your working life, you should be entitled to feel confident about your retirement. But, unfortunately, the best savers sometimes find themselves inadvertently breaching their pension lifetime allowance (LTA) and being charged an additional tax that erodes their savings.
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Generation Xers Chronically Under-Saving
30th June 2021
57% face financial difficulty in retirement years According to The International Longevity Centre UK (ILCUK) report, a substantial proportion of Generation Xers (those born between 1965 and 1980) in the UK face financial difficulty in retirement, with one in three expected to face significant disadvantages.[1].
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Post-Work Income
28th June 2021
How much annual income will you receive from your pension and savings? Retirement will probably be one of the biggest events you ever go through in your life, so it’s not something you’ll leave to chance. But knowing how much you’ll need, and how to get there, isn’t always easy.
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Peace Of Mind That You’re On The Right Track
24th June 2021
How to plan for a confident retirement to live the lifestyle you want Retirement might seem a long way off but the later you leave planning for it, the less chance you have of achieving the retirement you want. We all dream of how we’ll spend our retirement but that dream looks different for everyone.
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Succession Planning
23rd June 2021
Preparing yourself, your family and your business for the future The operational demands of running a family business or other closely held enterprise can be all-consuming, but it’s vital that business leaders take the time needed to assess their organisation’s business succession planning.
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Funding Your Child’s Future Lifestyle!
21st June 2021
Early preparation in life is key to becoming financially independent As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues into a second year, we’re learning more and more about its financial impact. While many individuals and families are struggling up and down the country, there is a particular strain placed on the parents of adult children.
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The Golden Years?
18th June 2021
Be better off in retirement Imagine you’re retiring today. Have you thought about how you’re going to financially support yourself, and potentially your family too, with your current pension savings? The run-up to your retirement may feel overwhelming, but this is an important time for you and your savings.
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Live The Life You Want
16th June 2021
How much pension income will you need for a comfortable retirement? The purpose of a pension is to provide an income for you to live the life you want once you have retired. But, due to longer life expectancies, less generous schemes and lack of understanding around saving, a common problem is that some people don’t retire with enough to last them.
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Time To Look At The ‘Big Picture’?
14th June 2021
Discovering the emotional benefits of financial advice No two individuals share the same goals or ambitions. Each person is unique, with their own needs, targets and budgets. So when it comes to managing your money, building wealth, securing your future and, above all else, drawing up an effective plan for fulfilling your investment objectives, professional financial advice should be tailored to your unique specific needs.
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Retirement Clinic
10th June 2021
Answers to the myths about your pension questions If you are approaching retirement age, it’s important to know your pension is going to finance your plans.
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Conscientious Investor
7th June 2021
Investing today to help make a better tomorrow In a fast-changing world, sustainability is a growing concern for investors. Sustainable investing funds position investors to manage the risks associated with environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, capture the opportunities and contribute to positive change.
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Steps towards a better financial future
4th June 2021
Grow, protect and transfer your wealth Financial planning is a step-by-step approach to ensure you meet your life goals. Your financial plan should act as a guide as you move through life’s journey. Essentially, it should help you remain in control of your income, expenses and investments so you can manage your money and achieve your goals.
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Minimum Pension Age To Increase
3rd June 2021
Age change to when people can start taking pension savings The government has confirmed that it plans to increase the minimum pension age at which benefits under registered pension schemes can generally be accessed, without a tax penalty, from age 55 to age 57 commencing 6 April 2028.
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It's good to talk
2nd June 2021
Getting financial help during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has not only dealt a blow to the UK economy, many people and families have unfortunately experienced financial hardship. According to a recent survey, 31% of the population say they are struggling with their finances due to the effects of the pandemic[1].
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Sustainability Matters
27th May 2021
Plan for a better tomorrow, today Responsible investment is a catch-all term to broadly describe funds that invest to make a positive change, either to the environment or for society. Within this umbrella term there are four broad investment approaches: ethical exclusion; responsible practice; sustainable solutions; and impact funds.
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Grandparents, Grandchildren And Money
24th May 2021
Sharing your wealth during your lifetime can make a big difference With all of us leading longer lives, you might be considering how you can help your family when it matters most. Sharing your wealth during your lifetime can make a big difference and bring you a lot of joy, particularly when helping younger generations who are dealing with rising house prices and university fees.
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Retirement Options
21st May 2021
What can you do with your pension pot? When the time comes to access your pension, you’ll need to choose which method you use to do so, with options including: buying an annuity, taking income through (flexi-access) drawdown, withdrawing lump sums or a combination of all of them.
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Will Your Pension Run Out Early?
17th May 2021
Impact on people opting for early retirement as a result of the pandemic An increasing number of people have been forced into early retirement due to the economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), with many worried about how they’ll make ends meet in the future. Because of the pandemic, we are currently in a challenging economic period. The global economy has taken over ten years to recover from the shock of the last financial crisis.
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Boost your pension savings
13th May 2021
Planning to achieve your retirement goals sooner Are you ‘mid or late career’ or planning to retire within ten years? If the answer’s ‘yes’, then you probably want to know the answers to these questions: Will I be able to retire when I want to? Will I run out of money? How can I guarantee the kind of retirement I want?
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A new Tax Year, A new start for your finances
11th May 2021
Creating a roadmap for your future financial success It’s always a good time to consider financial planning, but at the start of a new tax year, when you have a fresh set of annual allowances to take advantage of, you have the perfect opportunity to get your financial affairs in order and align them with your goals.
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Combined finances
28th April 2021
Planning ahead for your financial future together Some couples may prefer to keep their finances separate, while others share everything. Whichever method you’ve chosen, when it comes to retirement saving, it’s worth planning together to ensure you’ve made the most of all the allowances and benefits offered to couples.
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Retirement finances
26th April 2021
COVID-19: third of retirees fearful due to negative impact Six years on from pension freedoms, non-advised savers aged over 50 are facing a ticking time bomb at retirement, according to a new survey[1]. 66% of those saving into a defined contribution pension and 58% of those who have already retired have either no firm plans or no plans at all for their retirement finances.
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Suspending pension contributions
22nd April 2021
Think carefully about how action taken now could affect your retirement As more people worry about money and are struggling financially as a consequence of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it’s likely that reducing or stopping their pension contributions may be an option to ensure they survive financially.
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ISA Transfers
21st April 2021
Time to widen your range of investment choices? If you have accumulated a number of Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) over the years, keeping them all in one place could give you better control and help you save money. There’s a common misconception that you can’t move your existing ISAs from one provider to another.
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Goals based investing
19th April 2021
Are you giving yourself the best chance of success? Before you start, defining any goals you may have will help you plan, budget and choose the right investments. Your goals might be around enhancing your current lifestyle, planning for your family or your own retirement.
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How much is the State Pension?
15th April 2021
Understanding what you’ll receive and when While many people have some savings for retirement, most of us will also depend on the State Pension to help cover our living costs. The full new State Pension payment is currently £175.20 a week (2020/21 tax year), but not everyone will receive the full amount and the age at which you’ll receive it varies.
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Funding long-term care
14th April 2021
How much will it cost to enjoy life in later years? Long-term care covers everything from residential and nursing homes to home care. It is provided by a range of different organisations, including local authorities, the NHS and private and voluntary organisations. But choosing the right care setting for ourselves or a relative is not something which many of us have experience of.
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Investing for your child's future
12th April 2021
Even small amounts can build up a substantial nest egg Decided it’s time to start saving for your little one? Putting money aside for your child is a great way to prepare them for their future, and can also teach them valuable lessons about their managing their finances.
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Critical factor
9th April 2021
Protection for you and your loved ones What would life be like if you were diagnosed with a serious illness? Things could change very suddenly. You’d get your family together and tell them what was going on. Before long, you’d start spending time in hospital for treatment. You may also need to take some time off.
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Passing on pension benefits
31st March 2021
Providing for your loved ones after your death If you’ve spent a lifetime saving for retirement, you’d probably like any remaining money to go to a loved one after your death. But whether pension benefits are payable to a beneficiary, and how they’ll receive them, is dependent on the type of pension you’ve chosen and how you’ve accessed it in your retirement.
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Wealth creation
29th March 2021
Where can you turn if you want to invest tax-efficiently? Tax-efficiency is a key consideration when investing because it can make such an enormous difference to your wealth and quality of life.
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Reduce your Inheritance Tax bill
26th March 2021
10 ways to protect your estate for your loved ones Even those who believe they have moderate wealth levels may still need to take action to minimise Inheritance Tax, particularly if they own property and have savings and investments.
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Pension options
24th March 2021
Planning your financial future, and how to get there One thing retirement is not, is an age. Not any more anyway. Gone are the days of being told to stop working one day and pick up your State Pension the next. Today you have new pension freedoms to decide when and how you retire.
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Responsible investing
22nd March 2021
Invest today. Change tomorrow Responsible, sustainable and environmentally friendly investing is here to stay. But, while demand is growing among all age groups, genders and income bands, some savers and investors are missing their biggest opportunity for responsible investing, which is through their pension.
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Tax planning reimagined
17th March 2021
Identifying the best options to preserve your wealth No one likes to pay tax on their hard-earned money. But due to the complexities of the tax system, without expert professional financial advice, some individuals could be paying more tax than necessary. Before the end of every tax year on 5 April, you have the opportunity to save money on taxes and plan for the year ahead.
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Inflation beaters
15th March 2021
How to ensure your money is protected from rising inflation With current interest rates on cash savings very low, it is difficult to achieve growth above the rate of inflation. And if the cost of living is rising faster than your savings are growing, you’re effectively losing money.
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Generation COVID-19
11th March 2021
Financial support to younger members as a direct result of the pandemic The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has led to more people supporting younger family members financially. New research shows that 5.5 million older family members expect to provide additional financial support to younger members as a direct result of the pandemic[1].
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ISA deadline 5 April 2021: use it or lose it
10th March 2021
Make the most of the tax breaks before it’s too late If you hold a Cash Individual Savings Account (ISA) you may be dissatisfied with the low rates of interest you receive, which could make it difficult to grow your money even at a rate that keeps pace with inflation.
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Why cash may not be king
26th February 2021
How much of your wealth do you currently hold in cash? One paradox of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is that even as businesses have shut down and jobs have disappeared, some British households have on average been saving more money than they usually do, due to lower spending, according to new research[1].
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Setting financial goals
25th February 2021
Any goal, let alone financial, without a clear objective is nothing more than a pipe dream The New Year is a great time to make financial resolutions but, unfortunately, achieving financial goals isn’t quite that simple. Habits become ingrained and hard to overcome. For some of us, the resolutions we set, financial or otherwise, can quickly become overwhelming.
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Filling the funding gap
24th February 2021
Bank of Mum and Dad is playing an ever-present role in the housing market Across the UK, parents, grandparents, family and friends have been reaching into their pockets to help young, hopeful buyers and even growing families to make their housing plans a reality. These generous lenders are often funding most or all of the deposit buyers need to step onto or up the ladder.
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Is the future of your loved ones in good hands?
18th February 2021
Coronavirus spurs one in six to take action on their Will Have you decided what will happen to your property and belongings after your death? It is never too early to be thinking of making a Will and to ensure that your assets and estate go to the people you want them to. If you don’t, that may not happen.
Read more of Is the future of your loved ones in good hands?
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Planning for a more relaxing retirement
17th February 2021
Time to get back to dreaming about stopping work. Not dreading it. Life changes when you retire – and so does how you spend your money. Whatever your plans, it’s important to keep on top of things and think about the lifestyle you want. It’s also worth noting the average life expectancy at age 65 years is 18.6 years for men and 21.0 years for women[1].
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Taking control of money matters
15th February 2021
Navigating the complex choices planning for the future brings When we talk about financial wellbeing, we refer to how you feel about the control you have over your financial future – and your relationship with money. This includes your ability to respond to financial unpredictability and unexpected expenses.
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Your future self
11th February 2021
Over-50s concerned about job security due to COVID-19 pressures The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic crisis could leave the next generation of retirees significantly poorer and sicker. 4.8 million people over 50 and in work fear losing their job because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research that reveals fears of finding a new role[1].
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Gifting generation
9th February 2021
Older family members supporting younger generation through the pandemic Young people have been one of the worst-affected groups from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, particularly in terms of the labour market and mental health outcomes. But it’s their parents and grandparents who are paying the price financially.
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Breaking up is hard to do
4th February 2021
Managing the financial impact of divorce When long-term relationships split up, there are a host of implications for mortgages, savings, tax and Wills requiring careful consideration to avoid hardship. If you are contemplating divorce, are in the middle of divorce proceedings or dissolving a civil registered partnership, it’s important to understand how the current economic and financial situation could affect you.
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Tax saving opportunities
1st February 2021
It’s time to identify, plan for and potentially mitigate your tax burdens While the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, is looking to reduce the tax gap, there are nonetheless still opportunities to review your financial arrangements for saving tax throughout the tax year. Taking action now will give you the opportunity to take advantage of any remaining reliefs, allowances and exemptions before the end of the 2020/21 tax year on 5 April.
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5 healthy financial habits you shouldn’t ignore
27th January 2021
How to get your finances in order to make more of your money Do you feel like your financial life has been turned upside down during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic? Or, has the start of the new year focused you on getting your finances in order to make more of your money? Whatever the answer is, it’s important to adopt healthy financial habits.
Read more of 5 healthy financial habits you shouldn’t ignore
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Don’t miss the ISA deadline
25th January 2021
Saving and investing for a future that matters. Yours. Each tax year, we are given an annual Individual Savings Account (ISA) allowance. This can build up quickly, letting you accumulate a substantial tax-efficient gain in the long-term.
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New Year, new start to your finances
20th January 2021
Taking time to understand your financial plans will really pay off At the start of every year we have great intentions, as financial promises are renewed. Getting our financial life in order will be a top priority for many as we enter 2021. Consider focusing on two key areas: goals related to being prepared for the unexpected this year, and those related to what you want to be different at the end of the year.
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More over-55s forced to dip into pension pots
18th January 2021
Understanding the different ways you can use your pension money The UK has seen a rise in the number of people accessing their pension pots or enquiring about doing so. People accessing their pension as a flexible income has increased by 56%[1] according to research since the first lockdown last year. The increase is due to people withdrawing after holding off when stock markets were volatile.
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Taxing times on the horizon!
13th January 2021
Are you protected against future Capital Gains Tax rises? It is almost inevitable that taxes will have to rise to help meet the potential £391 billion bill the Government has racked up in supporting the British economy through the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) published a report[1] in November 2020 outlining the policy design and principles underpinning Capital Gains Tax (CGT).
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Wealth needs managing – now more than ever
11th January 2021
Achieving your financial goals through investing, and one size does not fit all Even as we hope to put the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the rearview mirror in 2021, uncertainty regarding both the virus and Brexit is likely to continue to weigh on the UK and global economies as well as on our personal finances during this year.
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Are you under-prepared for a financial emergency?
7th January 2021
Pandemic causes people to re-evaluate their financial resilience Managing your current and future finances successfully can be a minefield in today’s economic climate. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has derailed many a financial plan, ushering in job losses, decreased earnings and creating lifestyle changes that have the potential to send our spending into an unhealthy cycle.
Read more of Are you under-prepared for a financial emergency?
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The critical factor
23rd December 2020
Life-changing cover, for life-changing events Our lifestyles may vary, but we all need to make financial safeguards. Critical illness cover can provide vital financial security when you need it most. Most homebuyers purchase life assurance when they arrange a mortgage, but overlook critical illness cover, another form of financial protection that we are statistically more likely to need before reaching retirement.
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Life goals
22nd December 2020
Are you building the future you want? Creating a financial roadmap for the future you want involves a close analysis of your personal finances and an assessment of other building blocks. Lifestyle matters look at how to balance work and leisure, how to make smart choices for the future and many other items regarding how to help you enjoy the journey.
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Can’t afford to retire
21st December 2020
Getting your pension finances back on track Do you know how much money you will need in retirement? What about how much you already have saved? Do you know what kind of income that might provide? Unfortunately the answer is ‘no’ for some people.
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More than a third of Britons plan to maintain new saving habits
17th December 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has brought savings back into sharp focus A combination of financial concern and falling household spending means that those whose incomes have survived the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic so far have been keener than ever to save their money.
Read more of More than a third of Britons plan to maintain new saving habits
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Why seek professional financial advice?
14th December 2020
Tackling problems, creating a plan, dealing with challenges Whether you’re starting out or well into your wealth creation journey, professional financial advice help you to define your goals and the path to getting there. It gives you a map and ongoing support to help you take control of your future.
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Winter Economy Plan highlights
11th December 2020
What you need to know about the Chancellor’s announcement At the end of September, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a new Winter Economy Plan, with new measures to support businesses and individuals through the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as extensions of current measures.
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Planning for tomorrow, today
10th December 2020
4 pension facts to help you create a happy and wealthy retirement The future may seem far away. Regardless of your retirement goals, there are things you can do to increase your chances of success. It is important to look objectively at your plans and adapt them as your priorities change over the years and you go through different life events.
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Will the over-50s become a lost generation?
9th December 2020
Older individuals who lose their jobs are less likely to secure re-employment Older workers are one group of people who are at risk of suffering serious and persistent consequences from the economic turmoil arising from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In particular, older individuals who lose their jobs are less likely than younger workers to secure re-employment or to find a job on a similar wage to their previous earnings.
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Investing with a conscience
7th December 2020
Placing money in companies that bring positive change Issues such as climate change and sustainability have become increasingly hot topics globally and often the subject of conversation. As a result, Environmental, Social and Governance-linked (ESG) investment strategies continue to dominate financial headlines.
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Bank of Mum and Dad
3rd December 2020
Make sure you can afford it and understand any tax implications Parents have always supported their children in lots of different ways. These days, growing numbers of parents see their adult children struggling to build up enough in savings to put down the deposit on a house or to afford to move up from a first home to something larger – but does this mean parents should help financially?
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Festive Financial Gifts
2nd December 2020
Deciding on the right investments for the children in your life As the festive season approaches, have you thought about gifting your children or grandchildren something different this Christmas? Giving them a good start in life by making investments into their future can make all the difference in today’s more complex world.
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Are you keeping too much in cash?
30th November 2020
Savers holding onto extra cash during the COVID-19 pandemic Some savers are putting their hard-earned money at risk by holding too much on deposit. Savers holding onto extra cash during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic need to consider their long-term investment options, as new data shows the savings ratio for some people has increased during the pandemic.
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'Future Self'
26th November 2020
Boosting future retirement savings Young people are faced with a unique set of challenges when it comes to saving for retirement. One of these is perception. They can often think of their ‘future self’ as a different person and so may prefer holding on to their income for more immediate priorities, like a first home deposit, rather than saving for someone they perceive as a stranger.
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State Pension age rises
25th November 2020
How could the change impact on your retirement plans? For the first time in over a decade, the point at which people can claim a State Pension (the ‘State Pension Age’) is simple. If you have reached your 66th birthday, you can claim it. Otherwise you cannot.
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Tax-efficient investments
23rd November 2020
Investment into smaller and younger UK companies with offer of generous tax relief For appropriate sophisticated investors who have available funds left over after fully using this current year’s tax-efficient wrappers, what are some other options to consider?
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Investing principles
19th November 2020
Focus on what you can control The deep global economic shock and uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has made everyone rethink their finances and investments, making it clear that financial security is more important than ever to our overall well-being.
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Grow your money
18th November 2020
Retirement planning is one of the most important investments you can make towards your retirement, to ensure you experience the quality of life you want in later years. But millions of retirement savers are unaware that they are sitting on a powerful weapon that could be used to fight climate change and other environmental problems – their pension pot.
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Financial Action Plan
16th November 2020
10 steps to help you build a better financial future In these uncertain times, it can help to focus on the things you can control. And working out what your money’s doing for you now and where it might come from in the future can give you real peace of mind.
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Making a Will during COVID-19
12th November 2020
Thinking about how well we are prepared for our futures As coronavirus (COVID-19) leaves many of us working from home surrounded by our families and loved ones, it is inevitable that we start to think about how well we are prepared for our futures.
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Planning for succession
11th November 2020
There is no easy way to say it – anticipating one’s death is an uncomfortable topic. Yet it is often worth pushing past the initial discomfort to pursue the potential rewards of effective wealth transfer planning. There are three places your assets can go at your death: to your family and friends, to charity or to the government in the form of taxes.
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Care in later life
28th October 2020
Making the difficult choice between live-in care and a care home One of the biggest challenges of the 21st century is Britain’s ageing population. As later-life care becomes more prevalent, whether you are considering this for yourself or a relative, covering the costs involved can be significant.
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Supporting younger generations
22nd October 2020
If you are a grandparent, it’s natural to want to help out the family. And if you’re able to give a financial boost – whether it’s a loan or a gift – to the younger generation, it can be enormously rewarding for you too.
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Rewritten retirement rules
21st October 2020
Looking to discover what you can do with your pension pot? In 2015, the retirement rules were rewritten. The rules, which came into effect from 6 April 2015, have changed the way people take money out of their pensions, with new freedoms and options available to anyone over the age of 55.
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Funding care
19th October 2020
More of us can expect to require some form of long-term care Whether you are looking for care for yourself or a loved one, chances are that one of your first thoughts is going to be: ‘How much is it going to cost?’, swiftly followed by, ‘Who is going to pay for it?’ Understanding all of the different funding options can make a big difference to the care you ultimately choose.
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Over-50s with no pension provision
15th October 2020
Consequences of not saving enough for retirement in our twilight years Planning ahead for retirement will help ensure you’re on track to achieve the financial future you want. However, millions of retirees may face the prospect of living in poverty during their twilight years and having to rely only on the State Pension as a result of failing to plan ahead for their retirement, according to new research[1].
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Millennials look to build long-term wealth
14th October 2020
Giving up on cash altogether, disillusioned by today’s dismal savings rates The number of people in their 20s and early 30s choosing to invest in a Stocks & Shares Individual Savings Account (ISA) prior to the coronavirus pandemic outbreak increased according to the latest HM Revenue & Customs annual ISA data[1].
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Revolutionising the retirement landscape
12th October 2020
Navigating complex decisions to shape your retirement finances Pension freedoms have put a greater onus on people to keep themselves informed of their options when it comes to accessing their pension money. However, little knowledge and understanding of the rules could mean some people risk making decisions that are not best for them.
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Caveat emptor: ‘let the buyer beware’
9th October 2020
Increase in victims of financial scams related to COVID-19 As a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there has sadly been an increase in the number of fraudsters exploiting people’s fears, targeting pension savers, investors and online consumers.
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Divest or Engage?
7th October 2020
ESG matters are increasingly important in both retirement and investment planning Environmental, social and corporate governance issues are increasingly in the news, with some high-profile companies facing public scrutiny, corporate action or litigation. In a world where doing good means a better, more sustainable future, environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors have become an essential measure for sustainability and ethics of a business.
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Setting up a new life
5th October 2020
One of the freedoms of retirement is getting to choose where to live What makes a good place to retire? It’s one of the most basic questions people ask themselves when they start planning for retirement. It’s also one of the most crucial questions and one that, surprisingly, many people don’t give a lot of thought to.
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10 tips to achieving your financial goals
2nd October 2020
Time to diagnose your money situation with a financial health check? Even if you have a solid financial plan in place, it still needs to be updated regularly to ensure it reflects any life changes. But what should your priorities focus on now? Is it time to turn your attention to your pension, your ISA, your mortgage, or something else?
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No-desire to retire generation
30th September 2020
Why working and retirement are no longer binary terms Giving up the 9-to-5 doesn’t necessarily mean stopping work. Many people are now considering staggered or flexible working. It can suit some individuals who have caring responsibilities or health issues, or those thinking about retiring in the next few years.
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Help to Buy scheme
28th September 2020
Homes deadline extended to ensure customers do not miss out Thousands of families can still benefit from the current Help to Buy scheme despite delays in building their new homes due to coronavirus. The deadline for the homes to have been finished in order to comply with the equity loan scheme has been extended to ensure customers do not miss out if there has been a delay in construction due to the pandemic.
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Take it to the max
25th September 2020
How to make the most of the various pension allowances Saving into a pension is one of the most tax-efficient ways to save for your retirement. Not only do pensions enable you to grow your retirement savings largely free of tax, but they also provide tax relief on the contributions you make.
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Silver splitters
23rd September 2020
Financial fall-out of divorcing in middle age While the number of couples divorcing has decreased in recent years[1], with 91,299 cases in 2018 compared to 102,007 in 2017, the cohort of couples deciding to split in later life is on the rise. Also, pre-pandemic divorce valuations could have changed by as much as 30%, which may lead to some people receiving unfair settlements if valuations are not updated[2].
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Navigating the financial impact of COVID-19
21st September 2020
How people’s physical health and financial well-being are being affected Needless to say, coronavirus (COVID-19) has had, and will continue to have, a major impact on our lives. It is not just impacting on people’s physical health but also their financial well-being. Research highlights how the finances of the UK’s households have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak[1].
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Delaying Retirement
17th September 2020
Pandemic forcing a widespread rethink of retirement plans The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic crisis has thrown some of the nation’s retirement plans up in the air. As a result, a number of people over 50 and in work are set to delay their retirement (15%) by an average of three years, or keep working indefinitely (26%) as a direct result of COVID-19, according to new research[1].
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Planning to leave a family legacy?
16th September 2020
We are living in extraordinary times right now, in the grip of a global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Many people are concerned to ensure that their affairs are in order and that they have made a Will, which is one of the most important legal documents you can create in life.
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Investing during retirement
14th September 2020
Retirement is a major accomplishment for most people. You’ve worked hard all of your working life to save and prepare for your retirement, and now you’ve finally retired. So how should you approach investing now that you’re no longer earning a salary? When it comes to investing during retirement, with the right strategy, you can help make sure your retirement savings last.
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Rise of the female breadwinner
29th July 2020
Women now earn the most in one-in-four households The proportion of female breadwinners is steadily rising but the trend could be knocked off course by the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Women out-earn male partners in almost a quarter of households, up from a fifth 16 years ago, according to new research[1].
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Mind the knowledge gap
27th July 2020
Some people still struggle to make informed retirement decisions The decisions made at retirement are big ones and have long-term consequences. Many spend years accumulating a large amount of money in pensions and other savings, but really don’t know what that might mean, how much income they can reasonably expect to receive and how best to take that income.
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Freeing up extra money
24th July 2020
Home is where the heart and tax-free wealth is! Preferring to remain in their own homes for as long as possible is, for many people, increasingly becoming an important part of how they view older age. There may be several reasons for this: to keep the family home, stay close to friends or remain in comfortable and familiar surroundings.
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Family finances
22nd July 2020
Traditional spending and saving habits have been turned upside down Household finances, including spending and saving patterns, have deteriorated drastically since the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown, despite unprecedented Government support. Traditional habits have been turned upside down, and household budgets that guided our incomings and outgoings before the pandemic are no longer valid.
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Protecting your retirement plans
21st July 2020
Don’t let coronavirus derail your financial future The COVID-19 pandemic has touched virtually every aspect of our lives, not least of which is how we save for retirement. And while the number one priority is keeping our families and ourselves safe and healthy, the next topic on most people’s worry list is the financial impact, especially if the situation doesn’t improve quickly.
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Retirement freedoms
20th July 2020
Ensure your future income will allow you to enjoy the lifestyle you want Preparing for retirement is like getting ready for a journey – it never goes quite as planned. But the better the plan, the better the outcome. When things go wrong, you want to have the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances. You never know what retirement will be like until you get there.
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Thinking ahead
17th July 2020
How our retirement plans may change in response to the coronavirus pandemic The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has touched virtually every part of our lives and is having a widespread impact across all aspects of financial life, including retirement plans.
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How sustainable is your portfolio?
16th July 2020
Increased investor focus on environmental, social and governance considerations Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues continue to be a priority for many investors. Your values define you. But do your investments reflect who you are?
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Preserving your wealth
15th July 2020
Developing a clear plan for your wealth and property Whether you have earned your wealth, inherited it or made shrewd investments, you will want to ensure that as little of it as possible ends up in the hands of the taxman and that it can be enjoyed by you, your family and your intended beneficiaries.
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Looking to the future
14th July 2020
Successful life planning also requires a significant degree of financial planning We spend our lives planning for our next holiday, for a family, buying a property, funding a child’s education and for the day we retire. So then why is it that some people seem to have the ability to live the life of dreams and pass on their wealth to the next generation when others are faced with huge tax bills, the prospect of selling their home or worried about healthcare costs?
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Risk of retirement longevity
13th July 2020
Maximising investment returns over a longer life expectancy There are lots of variables in retirement: how long people will live for, the costs of goods and services they will need, interest rates available on their accumulated savings, and so on. But once you have retired, investing is anything but straightforward.
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Retirement Matters
10th July 2020
Staying invested and giving your money the greatest chance to grow Perhaps the most common investment advice is to stay invested. But with markets being so volatile, the ease of sticking to that advice has been sorely tested in 2020. Even though we’ve seen global markets bounce sharply from their March lows, understandably there will still be those investing for retirement who remain worried and wonder what the best approach is for the remainder of the year and beyond.
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How would you cope without an income?
9th July 2020
Make sure you’re ready should the unexpected happen Mental health conditions might not be as easy to pin down as physical health conditions, but insurers are increasingly recognising the need to provide cover and support to people suffering with mental ill health. And with mental health behind so many income protection claims, it’s worth reviewing what protection you have in place.
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Building a strategy that meets your financial needs
8th July 2020
The only constant in life is change, which is why individual financial life planning should not be a one-off exercise. Reviewing your finances regularly is essential if you want to stay on track to meet your financial goals. Making sure your finances are in the best possible shape will also make sure you stay on course to achieving everything you want.
Read more of Building a strategy that meets your financial needs
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Top 10 countries to retire abroad
6th July 2020
Living in a place where the lifestyle and cost of living matches your financial situation Are you ready to spend your golden years in comfort, style and maybe even a bit of luxury? As a retiree, you’ll want to be able to live in a place where the lifestyle and cost of living matches your financial situation.
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Planning a move abroad?
3rd July 2020
Undertaking what is required takes a great deal of thoughtful consideration You’ve always dreamed about living aboard, but how do you make that a reality? The first practical step is to think about where you are in your life and weigh up which options are available to you. Factors like your age, financial situation and skill set will come into play as you consider where to explore long term. More open borders and the need to find work in the wake of the financial crash mean more people live outside the country they were born in than ever before.
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Presenteeism during lockdown
2nd July 2020
Levels reach record highs in organisations as stress at work rises Unlike absenteeism, presenteeism isn’t always apparent. You know when someone doesn’t show up for work, but you often can’t tell when or how much illness or a medical condition hinders someone’s performance.
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RWC July/August Newsletter
1st July 2020
Welcome to our latest issue. A return to how life was at the start of 2020 is some way off. Even now that lockdown restrictions are starting to be eased, coronavirus (COVID-19) will continue to affect our lives in many ways.
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Financial fallout from COVID-19
1st July 2020
Impact on the nation’s wealth and financial security It is becoming uncomfortably clear that while not everyone has been physically affected by coronavirus (COVID-19), every single one of us will be impacted financially. During the pandemic, savings and investments have been volatile, as have wages and jobs.
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Inflation-proofing your portfolio
30th June 2020
One of the biggest threats to the health of your investments The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had a dramatic effect on the global economy. Around the world, economic activity has dried up. Fewer consumers are buying and fewer companies are investing.
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Time in the market, not timing the market
29th June 2020
Don’t get distracted from staying focused on your investment goals Investment market swings can be unnerving, but they shouldn’t distract you from staying focused on your financial goals. Periods of market volatility, like whose we’ve seen over recent months, will undoubtedly be unsettling times for most investors. The risks of incurring losses can make holding investments difficult to bear, with the temptation being to sell out and cut your losses. But volatility is part and parcel of investing.
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What are you waiting for?
26th June 2020
COVID-19 pandemic has made more people think about just how crucial it is to make a Will Since the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), the number of people seeking to write new Wills has risen by over 30%, according to The Law Society.
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Small Business Grant Fund
24th June 2020
Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund Originally announced in the Budget on 11 March, the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant (RHLG) will be delivered by local authorities in England.
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Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
19th June 2020
Lifeline for small and medium-sized enterprises struggling with cash flow The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) is a loan scheme that was announced by the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, during the 2020 Budget and has been set up to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are struggling with cash flow because of revenues that have been deferred or lost due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak. The loans are being offered on generous terms to support SMEs.
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Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
17th June 2020
Guaranteeing a proportion of the salaries of millions of workers Around the country, many employers have implemented lay-offs due to reduced revenues and the closure of their business premises due to coronavirus. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been set up to support those employers and help them continue to pay wages of staff who would otherwise have been let go.
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Statutory Sick Pay
12th June 2020
Payments made from day 1, rather than day 4, of your absence from work If you think you are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), you can receive £94.25 per week if you’re too ill to work. It’s paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks.
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Self-employed and not eligible for SSP
10th June 2020
What other options do I have available to me? If you are not eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) – for example, if you are self-employed or earning below the Lower Earnings Limit of £118 per week – and you have COVID-19 or are advised to self-isolate, you can now more easily make a claim for Universal Credit or New Style Employment and Support Allowance.
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Self-employment Income Support Scheme
5th June 2020
Financial support for those impacted by coronavirus Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak unveiled unprecedented government aid for the self-employed. There are around five million people who are self-employed and freelance across the UK, and many will be relieved to hear that financial support is on the way to help those impacted by coronavirus.
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Second self-assessment payment deferment
3rd June 2020
Strengthening the safety net for those who work for themselves The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, said he will ‘strengthen the safety net for those who work for themselves’ with a package of measures to support the self-employed and freelancers, offering improved benefits and tax deferrals.
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Moving closer to retirement
1st June 2020
Delay taking your pension if you can For those people moving closer to retirement who may have been impacted by the recent market volatility, an option to consider is deferring your private pension.
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Coronavirus investment scams
29th May 2020
Fraudsters are getting more sophisticated, particularly with investment scams. They can be articulate and financially knowledgeable, with credible websites, testimonials and materials that are hard to distinguish from the real thing. However, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
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Protecting renters affected by coronavirus
27th May 2020
No renter in either social or private accommodation will be forced out of their home More than a fifth of UK households live in privately rented accommodation. The Government has introduced measures to protect renters affected by coronavirus (COVID-19). This radical package of measures protects renters and landlords affected by coronavirus – and with these in force, no renter in either social or private accommodation will be forced out of their home.
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Income protection insurance
25th May 2020
How will you pay the bills if you were sick or injured and couldn’t work? There is a growing unease about the economic fallout of coronavirus (COVID-19), with many businesses laying off contractors and putting staff on extended leave, as well as natural worries about contacting the disease.
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Applying for a three-month mortgage payment holiday
22nd May 2020
Easing the stress some borrowers will be facing during the pandemic outbreak Mortgage borrowers who have been adversely affected financially by coronavirus (COVID-19) may want to consider requesting to take a mortgage payment holiday on their residential or buy-to-let mortgage for up to three months to help their financial situation. The Government’s policy is aimed at easing the stress some borrowers will be facing during the pandemic outbreak.
Read more of Applying for a three-month mortgage payment holiday
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Managing volatility
20th May 2020
Diversification is paramount in uncertain times The outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) has understandably been dominating the news headlines. Market fear over the escalating global spread of coronavirus has seen a sell-off across many asset classes. This period of market stress further emphasises the importance of diversification within portfolios. Investors’ objectives can rarely be met by investing in a single asset class.
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How secure is the future of your family or business?
15th May 2020
Projecting ourselves into the future to see what’s around the next bend is not an easy thing to do Given the current situation during this difficult and unsettling time with coronavirus (COVID-19), it’s important to think about how secure the future of your family or business would be in the event that you were no longer around.
Read more of How secure is the future of your family or business?
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Beware of pension fraudsters
13th May 2020
Safeguard your hard-earned retirement savings from COVID-19 scammers Fraudsters are exploiting fears over the COVID-19 pandemic to target pension savers and investors. The Pensions Regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Money and Pensions Service have issued a joint statement urging people not to make rash pension decisions in the wake of the global pandemic, as criminals try to exploit public fears over the market turmoil to dupe victims out of their cash.
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Coronavirus impact on the global economy
11th May 2020
It’s more important than ever to stay the course The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is first and foremost a human tragedy, affecting hundreds of thousands of people. It is also having a growing impact on the global economy. The markets have been extremely volatile as investors weigh the effect of the coronavirus against measures aimed at easing its economic impact. Therefore, it’s hard to say how this will affect investments in the short term.
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COVID-19 effects on retirement planning
8th May 2020
Remember that pension savings are for the long term The coronavirus (COVID-19) is having a widespread impact across all aspects of financial life, including retirement plans. The current global stock market turbulence, as a consequence of COVID-19, will no doubt be concerning for individuals whose pension savings are invested partly or fully during these volatile market conditions.
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Focus on long-term horizons
6th May 2020
Time in the market, not timing the market During this difficult time, fear and worry are understandable, particularly as the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak led to the biggest daily drop in the FTSE 100 since the financial crisis of 1987. Trying to second-guess the impact of events such as the coronavirus or the recent stock market volatility – or even attempting to make a bet on them – rarely pays off. Instead, investors who focus on long-term horizons – at least five to ten years – have historically fared much better.
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RWC May/June 2020 Newsletter
1st May 2020
Welcome to our latest issue. It has been a very challenging time for many of our clients, their families, their employees and the wider business community.
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Reclaiming Statutory Sick Pay
1st May 2020
Coronavirus Support for businesses who are paying sick pay to employees The Government has brought forward legislation to allow small and medium-sized businesses and employers to reclaim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) paid for sickness absence due to COVID-19.
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Employee well-being
29th April 2020
Active steps to make sure your people are happy, healthy and financially sound Employee health and well-being is high on many businesses’ agendas and is no longer merely an afterthought when addressing sickness absence. There is an obvious link between a happy, healthy workforce and improved productivity.
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Strategy for financial well-being
22nd April 2020
Government guidance body launches five goals A new UK-wide strategy to transform the country’s financial well-being in a decade has been launched by the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) under its government mandate.
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Millennial money
15th April 2020
Social and environmental good as well as financial returns Building wealth for the future is important, but increasingly people want their investments to do more than make money. Investing ethically means different things to different people.
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Discover a clearer financial future
10th April 2020
Professional financial advice tailored to you It’s often a common fallacy that only those that are wealthy have any need for professional financial advice. Regardless of how careful you are with your money, dealing with the tricky intricacies of taxation, investments and financial regulations can be difficult for even the most money-conscious of earners.
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Lifestyle protection
8th April 2020
One in five self-employed and contract workers unable to survive a week without work The world of work has changed enormously over the past 20 years. Being self-employed, freelance or working on a contract basis has become the norm for all sorts of professions.
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Inflation matters
1st April 2020
One of the biggest threats to the health of your investment portfolio If you’re investing – especially for major goals years away, such as retirement – you can’t afford to ignore the corrosive effect rising prices can have on the value of your assets.
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Inflation matters
1st April 2020
Impact of rising prices on investments A pound saved is a pound earned. But thanks to inflation, over time, the value of the pound saved could be much less than when it was earned. One cannot ignore the corrosive impact of rising prices on investments.
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Have you planned for the unexpected?
27th March 2020
One in eight homebuyers don’t discuss their protection needs Buying a property is usually the biggest financial obligation many of us will take on in our lifetime, and it’s an obvious moment to pause and consider our protection needs.
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Future retirement security
25th March 2020
More younger women opting out of pensions Young women are putting their future retirement security at risk by opting out of their workplace pension[1]. The analysis shows a worrying spike in opt-outs, with 10.5% of women aged 22–29 opting out of their workplace pension. This compares to 8.1% of men in the same age group.
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Retirement savings longevity
20th March 2020
Are you facing a pensions challenge? We all want to ensure we have sufficient funds when we retire so we can spend our time the way that we want to. But how realistic are your current retirement plans?
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Divorcees risk losing out on pensions
18th March 2020
Dividing this asset is of vital importance to avoid pension poverty Divorce is an emotional and stressful period for those who have to go through it. However, it’s important that people realise that a pension is a valuable asset when considering how they split their money.
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Preserving your legacy
15th March 2020
How to keep your wealth in the family Are you worried about leaving an inheritance to your loved ones and then having them pay tax on your legacy? No one likes to think about a time when they won’t be here, but unfortunately the reality is that some people aren’t prepared financially.
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Portfolio diversification
11th March 2020
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket Portfolio diversification is the foundational concept of investing. It’s a risk management strategy of combining a variety of assets to reduce the overall risk of an investment portfolio.
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Time to give your pension pot a boost?
6th March 2020
Planning ahead for the financial future you want Planning for retirement can be both exciting and daunting. It’s essential to structure your affairs to make sure you have enough money when you eventually retire. To give your pension pot a boost, one option to consider if your pension savings are more than your annual allowance is to take advantage of the ‘carry forward’ rules for unused annual allowances from previous years and still receive tax relief.
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Top 4 tips for good tax planning
4th March 2020
What should I consider before the end of this tax year? The end of the 2019/20 tax year is fast approaching, and there are a number of valuable allowances and reliefs that will be lost if they are not used before the deadline.
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RWC March/April 2020 Newsletter
1st March 2020
Welcome to our latest edition. At the time of writing this issue, Sajid Javid had resigned as Chancellor of the Exchequer with less than a month to go until Budget Day. His replacement, Rishi Sunak, will deliver the Budget on 11 March 2020. In our next issue, we’ll look at the key announcements and how they could affect your finances.
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The power of diversification
26th February 2020
Insulating your portfolio from any market uncertaintY Brexit is by no means the only cause of market volatility. Whether you believe Brexit will prove a blessing or a curse for the British economy, it’s important to insulate your portfolio from any market uncertainty.
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Pension consolidation
24th February 2020
Simplifying and maximising retirement benefits The employment landscape has evolved significantly over the last few decades, and changing jobs multiple times before retirement is now very much the norm. As a result, many people have multiple pensions set up, as they have been automatically enrolled into a new pension scheme each time they have started a new job.
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Do you have a financial safety net?
21st February 2020
One in five self-employed and contract workers unable to survive a week without work We’re a nation of entrepreneurs with a record number of self-employed people now working in the UK. The world of work has changed enormously over the past 20 years. Being self-employed, freelance or working on a contract basis has become the norm for all sorts of professions.
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Women better prepared for retirement
19th February 2020
Record high despite £78k pension pot gender gap Women in the UK are better prepared for the future than ever before, with 57% now saving enough for their retirement – the highest proportion recorded in 15 years. A recent report[1] shows that average savings amongst women are up 4.6% since 2007/08, equating to an additional £5,900 in income every year of retirement.
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Tax savvy
12th February 2020
Savers should think twice before using their pension to purchase property From age 55, you have the flexibility to choose how you take money from your pension. But pension savers risk throwing away thousands of pounds of their hard-earned savings if they use their pension to purchase a second property.
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Mind the gap
7th February 2020
Self-employed would back new laws to expand retirement savings For the self-employed, even if the will to save for retirement is there, the way can be problematic. Self-employed workers want Government help to save for retirement and would back new laws to expand auto-enrolment or to make saving for retirement compulsory, new research[1] shows.
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Bullish millennials
5th February 2020
Putting money to work earlier allows more time for savings to grow Millennials are more bullish than any other generation about their retirement savings, a major new study has found[1]. But with time on their side, should they be doing more?
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Your Life after work
3rd February 2020
Plan for the future you want Early retirement is no longer defined as the moment when you stop working forever. For many people, it’s simply the moment when you no longer have to work for money. But this also means being in a financial position to choose to keep working if you enjoy what you’re doing.
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Wealth uplift
31st January 2020
Calculating the value of financial advice Quantifying the value of financial advice has always been a challenge because people who receive financial advice have different characteristics to those who do not. But what if it was now possible to quantify the value of financial advice and isolate a pure ‘advice effect’? This is exactly what the researchers at the International Longevity Centre – UK (ILC) have been able to calculate.
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The big questions to ask before you retire
29th January 2020
Are you on track to enjoy the retirement you want? If you’re among the many older UK workers who will say farewell to full-time work in the next five years, now’s a good time to make sure you’re truly prepared. Whether you’re viewing the next phase of life as retirement, semi-retirement or an unknown adventure, it’s essential that you obtain professional financial advice. From age 55, you have the flexibility to choose how you take some or all of your money from your pension.
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How prepared are you for retirement?
24th January 2020
Planning ahead helps ensure that you’re on track You work hard to enjoy your current lifestyle, but are you doing enough to ensure that you will continue to enjoy it in retirement? Many of us live for today, but saving into a private pension plan can help you retire sooner rather than later.
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Age is just a number
22nd January 2020
What rising life expectancy could mean for you We know that age is just a number, and for different people it means different things. It’s also a phrase used by some people who oppose age restrictions. In the UK, 65 years of age has traditionally been taken as the marker for the start of older age, most likely because it was the official retirement age for men and the age at which they could draw their State Pension.
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ISA returns of the year
17th January 2020
Time to explore your ISA options? An Individual Savings Account (ISA) enables you to save in a simple, tax-efficient way, while generally giving you instant access to your money. This gives you short, medium and long-term saving options, and with the end of the current tax year not too far away, it’s important to make the most of your annual tax-free ISA allowance.
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Pension freedoms
15th January 2020
Retirees now have a whole host of new options The pension freedoms, introduced on 6 April 2015, have given retirees a whole host of new options. There is no longer a compulsory requirement to purchase an annuity (a guaranteed income for life) when you retire. The introduction of pension freedoms brought about fundamental changes to the way we can access our pension savings.
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Pension freedoms
15th January 2020
Taking responsibility for funding our own retirement Although each generation will likely face different challenges and opportunities, achieving retirement readiness will require actions common to us all. We all know that our ageing population and increased life expectancy are putting a strain on government finances. Following pension freedoms, there’s greater choice than ever before in how you access and take your retirement benefits.
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Estate protection
10th January 2020
Preserving your wealth and transferring it effectively Estate planning is an important part of wealth management, no matter how much wealth you have built up. It’s the process of making a plan for how your assets will be distributed upon your death or incapacitation.
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Tax-efficient investing
8th January 2020
Legitimate ways for higher earners to reduce a tax bill Without a carefully developed tax planning strategy, higher-rate taxpayers run the risk of missing out on key tax benefits and paying more in taxes than necessary. A higher tax liability can diminish the value of your investment earnings over the long term.
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Life is full of uncertainties
3rd January 2020
If the worst were to happen, would your bills still get paid? Everyone should consider protection, even those who don’t have a family or a mortgage! Unless they have substantial savings or inherited wealth, most people rely on their salary to pay for everything. Over the years, you may have taken out a number of different insurance policies to give you and your family financial security. Perhaps this may have been when you started a family, took out a mortgage or became self-employed.
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Financial resolutions
1st January 2020
What does wealth look like to you? Whether it’s stopping smoking, losing weight, eating more healthily or getting fitter, most of us have probably made at least one New Year’s resolution, but how many of us will actually go on to achieve it? We all have different financial goals and aspirations in life, yet these goals can often seem out of reach. In today’s complex financial environment, achieving your financial goals may not be that straightforward.
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Money lessons
25th December 2019
5 tips that add up to teaching your child about money matters Understanding how money works is an essential life skill. Unfortunately, for a lot of people, these lessons come later than they should, and often as the result of something going terribly wrong.
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Working into old age
18th December 2019
Three quarters of UK employees say they won’t be able to retire by the age of 65 Britain is growing old, and not just proverbially. As the population is set to increase, the proportion of the population aged 85 and over is projected to double over the next 25 years[1], and the number of those working for longer rises with it. Recent figures[2] reveal that nearly three quarters of UK employees say they won’t be able to retire by the age of 65.
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Generation game
13th December 2019
Lending soars at Bank of Mum and Dad The Bank of Mum and Dad has been branded as socially divisive and a symptom of Britain’s broken housing market as new figures reveal it is now one of the UK’s biggest mortgage lenders. Thousands of over-55s are generously gifting money as part of the Bank of Mum and Dad, using savings and even pensions to help their family onto the housing ladder, research has revealed[1].
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Get-rich-quick schemes
6th December 2019
Financial fraud nets millions for organised crime scammers Fraudulent get-rich-quick schemes are netting millions for organised crime. But investment scams can be difficult to spot because they’re designed to look like genuine investments, with most scammers having a professional-looking website and documents.
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State pensioners
4th December 2019
Inflation-busting increase to weekly payments on the horizon In October this year, those receiving the State Pension are likely to find out that their weekly payments will increase by 4% from April 2020, subject to any last minute adjustments.
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Health fears
29th November 2019
Barrier to employment and retention of older workers Older workers are an invaluable component of the UK workforce, given their extensive industry knowledge and expertise that all colleagues – particularly younger generations – can benefit from.
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‘No, thanks’ to downsizing
27th November 2019
More baby boomers plan to stay in their own home A growing number of ageing baby boomers are saying, ‘No, thanks’ to downsizing, choosing instead to remain in the same house in which they raised their family and created lifelong memories.
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A long life needs a smart retirement plan
22nd November 2019
Reaching the big 50 can be a financial wake-up call Your 50s are a crunch time when saving for your retirement. If you’ve already set a retirement savings target but have been neglecting it, the reality is that now you can’t afford to delay your planning any further – and it’s time for a careful review.
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Time to update your planned retirement date?
20th November 2019
Savers risk missing out on money from their final pension pot Millions of savers risk missing out on money from their final pension pot if their provider doesn’t have their correct planned retirement date. The analysis[1] revealed that workplace pension savers in the UK could miss out on thousands of pounds in retirement because they haven’t updated their planned retirement date.
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Tax-efficient shelters
15th November 2019
Use your ISA allowance or lose it forever Even though the Individual Savings Account (ISA) deadline may be a number of months away, and despite the tax year date remaining the same year in year out, somehow it always creeps up on us. A tax year runs from 6 April one year to 5 April the next.
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Tax-efficient shelters
15th November 2019
Use your ISA allowance or lose it forever Even though the Individual Savings Account (ISA) deadline may be a number of months away, and despite the tax year date remaining the same year in year out, somehow it always creeps up on us. A tax year runs from 6 April one year to 5 April the next.
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Women’s State Pension age changes
13th November 2019
Government’s bid to ensure ‘pension age equalisation’ On 3 October, campaigners lost a significant legal battle against the Government’s handling of the rise in women’s State Pension age. Up until 2010, women received their State Pensions at the age of 60, but that has been increasing since then.
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For richer, for poorer
8th November 2019
Pension and asset advice should be part of the divorce process Divorce – it’s one of the most difficult subjects to talk about. The emotional upheaval of divorce can be difficult to deal with, but so too can the financial implications. When relationships come to an end, there are so many things to consider. Children, home and support are naturally the first things you focus on.
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Cultivate the art of patience
6th November 2019
Creating and maintaining the right investment strategy plays a vital role in securing your financial future. But we live in the era of the 24-hour news cycle. Human tendency is to prioritise negative over positive news content, and no one is immune from bad news. So as an investor, when you do get it, how do you process the information, deal with it and move on unscathed?
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Tax-wise
1st November 2019
Make the most of your valuable allowances, reliefs and exemptions Once we enter January, the end of the 2019/20 tax year will be just over three months away on 5 April. As this date approaches, the window of opportunity reduces if you want to make the most of valuable allowances, reliefs and exemptions that could help reduce your tax bill and make sure your finances stay tax-efficient.
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Your future
7th October 2019
How to build wealth that stands the test of time Long-term investments tend to be less risky in the end. By investing for the long term, you are committing to your investments, and history has shown that this strategy can pay off handsomely.
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Thousands of retirees in drawdown lack of planning
30th September 2019
Have you worked out how much you can afford to take from your pension pot? Thousands of retirees shifting their pensions into drawdown are not taking basic steps to work out how much they can afford to take from their pot, putting them at risk of draining their savings too soon, according to new research[1].
Read more of Thousands of retirees in drawdown lack of planning
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Stocks & Shares ISA
23rd September 2019
Helping you realise your long-term financial goals So you’re looking to accumulate a sum of money by investing. You may have a specific amount in mind. This could be to go towards helping to fund your child’s university fees or to pay for a trip of a lifetime.
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Making investment decisions into old age
23rd September 2019
Seven in ten retirees have not set up a Lasting Power of Attorney More than 615,000 pensioners are on course to make investment decisions into old age but new research[1] suggests tens of thousands have not set up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), with seven in ten (70%) people in retirement not having set up an LPA.
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Wealth briefing
16th September 2019
Making good choices with your life investments One of the golden rules of investing is to spread your money across a range of different asset classes. We’ve all heard the expression, ‘Don’t put all your eggs in one basket’. This approach means that if one or more of your investments rise you will benefit but, if they fall, there should be a degree of protection because, hopefully, some of your other holdings in different asset classes will be going up in value.
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For richer, for poorer
9th September 2019
Divorced Britons regret splitting after new financial pressures hit home The pain of regret after divorce can be long-lasting, especially when you consider the life-long impact divorce has on your children, your finances and your emotions. All the problems, the arguing, the unhappiness, it is all over now that the divorce is final. Right? Not always.
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Give a triple boost to your children
2nd September 2019
Don’t miss out on this little-known tax rule For those parents who have spare cash, putting money into their children’s pension will boost the retirement prospects of their offspring. The money will be topped up by the addition of tax relief and could also earn their children a tax refund if they are higher-rate taxpayers and reduce the penalty they face if they are a higher earner receiving child benefit.
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Investing for income, growth or both in retirement
26th August 2019
Turning on the taps for an extra income stream to help you realise your ambitions The best time to start investing was 20 years ago. The second best time to start investing is now. But as you have been building up your investment wealth over the decades, in all likelihood you’ve probably pursued growth above all else, looking to maximising the value of your savings.
Read more of Investing for income, growth or both in retirement
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Taxing times
12th August 2019
‘Top 5’ list of planning areas Making sure you use up any allowances you are entitled to is the first step to reducing the amount of tax you may be liable to pay. We’ve provided our ‘Top 5’ list of planning areas to consider before 5 April 2020, the end of the 2019/20 tax year. The rates given are correct for the 2019/20 tax year.
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Retirement longevity
5th August 2019
Your destiny is now in your own hands If you are in your 50s or 60s, your thoughts are probably turning towards retirement. When should you retire? How much money do you need?
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Choppy waters, not full-on gale
29th July 2019
Wait for the bad weather to pass and stay the course Volatility fluctuates based on where we are in the economic cycle, but it is a normal feature of markets that investors should expect. When stock markets start correcting, daily injections of bad news may sound as though it will never end. This can spark anxiety, fuel uncertainty and trigger radical decisions in even the most seasoned investors.
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Healthy, wealthy and well advised
22nd July 2019
Financial complexities of passing on wealth Passing on wealth is a sensitive subject, not just because of the financial complexities of it all, but also the emotion and family politics involved.
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Goldilocks economy
15th July 2019
How to prepare your portfolio for inflation Very low or very high inflation is damaging to the economy. The aim is usually to try and keep the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) at 2% in order to maintain a ‘Goldilocks Economy’ – not too hot, not too cold.
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Smart investments
8th July 2019
Should I invest into a pension or an ISA? Investors looking for tax-efficient ways to build a nest egg for retirement often look to both Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and pensions. Tax-efficiency is a key consideration when investing because it can make a considerable difference to your wealth and quality of life.
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What’s your magic number?
1st July 2019
Your five-year plan to a comfortable retirement Retiring is a huge life event. And the very concept of retirement is changing with phased retirement becoming more common. The way we access our pension is now a lot more flexible, and it’s no secret that in the UK we’re living longer than ever before which means we need to make the right choices.
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Money’s too tight to mention
24th June 2019
Don’t let inflation reduce the value of your investment returns Inflation can have a significant impact on our finances in a number of ways. But what exactly does it mean? And what impact could it have on our savings and investments? It’s important to understand how inflation works, as well as the effects it has on our financial planning. As the American economist Milton Friedman remarked, ‘Inflation is taxation without legislation.’
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Improving your retirement income
17th June 2019
Looking forward to having more time to explore faraway places? Retirement is a time for you to do the things you’ve always wanted to do. Perhaps you’re looking forward to having more time to explore faraway places. Or maybe you dream of simply waking up each day and doing whatever takes your fancy. However you see your future, it helps to start planning for it as soon as possible.
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Breaking up is hard to do!
10th June 2019
How much money will you will need to live on later in life? Divorce is undoubtedly one of the most difficult subjects to talk about. When relationships come to an end, there are so many things to consider – children, home and support are naturally the first things you would focus on. In fact, when you begin the process of separating a shared life, the sheer number of things to deal with can seem very daunting. And the cost of divorce can have a lasting impact on your plans for later in life.
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Financial freedom
3rd June 2019
Experiencing a golden age without money worries Saving enough during our working life will not just give us freedom to manage our finances more flexibly, but it will also help us to secure a more comfortable lifestyle in retirement. Even though the baby boomers (the generation born between 1946 and 1964) are better off than any other generation, according to a new report[1], one in three (33%) people nearing retirement in this age demographic still don’t feel confident they’ll have enough funds to live on[2].
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The time is now
27th May 2019
A much needed boost to the nation’s savings A million more women in their 20s could be saving adequately for retirement if they were able to access emergency cash from their pension, according to new research[1]. The latest Women & Retirement report highlights that the current lack of flexibility in pensions is a barrier to saving and that introducing the ability to access funds for unexpected bills could provide a much-needed boost to the nation’s savings.
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Double whammy
20th May 2019
New social phenomenon – the ‘sandwich generation’ In recent years, a growing realisation has formed that we’re in the middle of a new social phenomenon – the ‘sandwich generation’. The term ‘sandwich generation’ is often used to refer to those who care for both sick, disabled or older relatives and dependent children.
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To downsize, or not to downsize?
13th May 2019
Planning your next move for a comfortable retirement It can be a daunting prospect to think about selling the family home, but it is a decision that many decide is the right choice for them once the children have long moved out and the upkeep seems too onerous. However, people don’t often consider the impact this could have on their retirement, according to new research[1].
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Retirement income
6th May 2019
Plan to enjoy the kind of lifestyle you want in later life ‘Will I be able to afford the retirement lifestyle I want?’ is a question that many people ask but struggle to figure out. There are many ways to assess your likely income in retirement and work out how much you need to put away now to enjoy the kind of lifestyle you want in later life. This is why more and more people, where appropriate, are turning to private pensions as a tax-effective way to build or enhance their retirement income.
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Safeguarding your wealth for future generations
29th April 2019
Steps to mitigate against Inheritance Tax Unforeseen life events and circumstances can potentially impact your finances in a number of ways. We can help you to safeguard your wealth for future generations. But for many of us, there can be a remarkable gap between our intentions and our actions.
Read more of Safeguarding your wealth for future generations
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Millennials get real with the numbers
22nd April 2019
Making sacrifices for home ownership over retirement Millennials are chasing the home ownership dream at the potential cost of a lower income in retirement, new research[1] shows. Over a third (35%) of millennials say they prioritise saving for a deposit on a home instead of their retirement. Nearly a fifth (19%) say buying a house is the main reason they don’t save more into their pension, while 10% say student debt stops them saving into a pension. One in 11 (9%) admits that frequently changing jobs affects their ability to make regular pension contributions.
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Wealth protection
15th April 2019
Planning your legacy Unforeseen life events and circumstances can potentially impact your finances in a number of ways. Believe it or not, you have an estate. In fact, nearly everyone does.
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No pain, no gain
8th April 2019
Planning to get where you want to be Successful saving and investing is arguably a lot like exercise – no pain, no gain. As is the case when undertaking a new fitness regime, if you properly commit yourself and stick to it, the eventual outcomes can be very rewarding.
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Life after work
1st April 2019
Planning for the retirement you deserve Over time, with life expectancy and the cost of living rising, it could mean that some retirees are at risk of running out of pension income in later life. So what can you do to make sure that you have a big enough pension to meet your needs for the whole of your retirement?
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Income seekers
18th March 2019
Not putting all your eggs in one basket Everybody has investment goals in their life, from the old adage of saving for a rainy day to planning a comfortable retirement. There are many reasons why investors might seek an income stream from their investments, for example, to pay for a dependant’s education, supplement a pension or fund the cost of care, yet achieving it can be hard.
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Wealth journey
11th March 2019
Planning your long-term investment objectives Selecting the most appropriate investment products and undertaking the right planning at the right time to minimise the amount of tax you pay are key to accumulating wealth over the long term. Add to this general economic factors, business conditions and political events, these are just some of the things that can cause uncertainty and volatility in the markets. Over any given time period, the economy can also go through a series of ups and downs.
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Business freedoms
4th March 2019
Contemplating a long-term self-employed future? Self-employment enables you to exercise your sense of freedom in business decision-making and to choose your own business path. There are many benefits to becoming a self-employed freelancer or running your own business: the flexible hours, the option to work from home, no fixed holiday allowance, and, of course, being your own boss. But it’s vital to remember that there is no sick pay, life insurance or pension scheme benefits, unless you arrange to put these schemes in place yourself.
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State Pension
25th February 2019
Move to equalise male and female pension ages Women will now start to qualify for the State Pension at the same age as men, currently set at 65. The move to equalise male and female pension ages began 25 years ago and has been gradually phased in. Your State Pension age is the earliest age you can start receiving your State Pension. It may be different to the age you can get a workplace or personal pension.
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Managing risk
18th February 2019
Pensioners ‘in the dark’ over how to protect their pots if markets tumble Many retirees are at risk of overlooking their pension finances by falling into an avoidable trap, according to new research. A third (36%) of people keeping their pension invested through retirement could be hit harder by falling markets as they do not have a cash safety net to fall back on, research has found[1]. And even though two thirds (64%) of retirees are holding cash in reserve, fewer than one in ten (8%) would think to use it if there was a ‘significant’ drop in the stock market.
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Who wants to be a millionaire?
11th February 2019
Getting there could be easier than you think – but you’ll need to start young Parents could make their baby an adult millionaire by starting a pension pot when they are born. Children born this year could become millionaires by their 43rd birthday if their families contribute to a pension for the first 18 years of their lives[1]. The analysis found that parents or grandparents contributing £2,880 per year (£3,600 after tax relief) until their children turn 18 years old could create a pot of £1,021,837 by 2061. The figure assumes a total contribution of £51,840, a growth rate of 8% per annum, and is net of product charges.
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Wealth sharing between generations
4th February 2019
Redefining how millennials become more financially secure Millennials are set to redefine how wealth is shared between generations, according to new research[1]. Contrary to expectation, it is not millennials (aged 18–34) who appear to be under the greatest financial strain, with 44% saying they are ‘comfortable’ financially. In fact, the research shows they are trying to do the right thing.
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Keeping it in the family
28th January 2019
Careful planning can reduce or even eliminate the Inheritance Tax payable Intergenerational planning helps you put financial measures in place to benefit your children later in life, and possibly even your future grandchildren, so it’s important to start planning early.
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Looking at the big retirement picture
21st January 2019
Considering making contributions ahead of the tax year end? Investing for the future is vital if you want to enjoy a financially secure retirement, and it requires you to look at the big picture. Although pensions can be complicated, we will help you get to grips with the rules if you are considering making contributions ahead of the tax year end. Here are our top pension tax tips.
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Pension unlocking
14th January 2019
Treasury enjoying a tax bonanza from pension withdrawals Following changes introduced in April 2015, you now have more choice and flexibility than ever before over how and when you can take money from your pension pot.
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Exploring your ISA options
7th January 2019
Time to give your financial future a boost? The end of the tax year on 5 April is fast approaching, so make sure you’ve made the most of your annual allowances before it’s too late. No matter what, why or how you want to save and invest, an Individual Savings Account (ISA) could help make your money work harder for you.
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Independence plan
31st December 2018
Least financially resilient group delay life milestones due to financial insecurity Life can get complicated when you hit your early thirties, which means your finances are starting to get serious. You might be in the middle of countless transitions, like moving up in your career, starting a business, buying a home, getting married, having children…and a whole lot more.
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Dot-com crash to global financial crisis
24th December 2018
Busting the myths of investment companies’ performance Saturday 15 September 2018 marked ten years since the collapse of Lehman Brothers. And with the bull market following the global financial crisis – now the longest in history in the US – it’s useful to revisit the past. The Association of Investment Companies (AIC)[1] has looked at the long-term performance of investment companies from just before the dot-com bubble burst in 2000 and just after the collapse of Lehman Brothers in October 2007.
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Generational finances
10th December 2018
Job prospects, savings, safety nets and life expectancy Rising housing costs, soaring student debt and low wage inflation have left many millennials with stretched budgets. They may get regularly mocked as Generation Snowflake obsessed with spending on luxuries, but new research[1] shows they are focused on saving for retirement and want more support.
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Protecting your identity
3rd December 2018
Common ways fraudsters can steal your personal information As individuals, throughout our lifetime we exchange personal information with a vast number of institutions including banks, credit card suppliers, utility companies, supermarkets, government organisations and retailers. This may be to receive important services, but also to allow us to do the fun things like shopping, eating out or going on holiday.
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Wealth Navigator
19th November 2018
Planning the BEST route for the next generation You have worked hard to build your wealth. Passing it on to the next generation fairly, safely, effectively and efficiently takes skill and careful preparation. But some people find the idea of discussing inheritance uncomfortable and subsequently put off estate planning until, in some instances, it may be too late to make a difference.
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Relationship breakdowns
12th November 2018
A pension could well be the biggest single asset in the relationship What is likely to be a divorcing couple’s most valuable asset? The family home will spring to most people’s minds first. But the value of a pension could well be the biggest single asset in the relationship.
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Festive gifts
5th November 2018
Building wealth for a solid financial future As a parent, guardian or grandparent, you’ll want to provide the best future for your children or grandchildren that you can. Christmas is an excellent time to encourage children to start thinking about the value of money. Many children have hundreds of pounds spent on them at Christmas. But could that money be put to better use? Rather than buying yet more toys for your children or grandchildren, why not consider setting up a tax-efficient Junior ISA for them or contributing to their existing Junior ISA or Child Trust Fund.
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Avoid the mad March rush
1st November 2018
Get a head start on your tax planning resolutions Although the current tax year does not end until 5 April 2019, tax planning shouldn’t be a mad
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Driving towards the next phase of your life
20th August 2018
Getting the date right can help you reach your destination sooner
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Back to the future
13th August 2018
Visualising what really matters to you is the key to the planning process
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International investments and Brexit
30th April 2018
With Brexit now less than a year away, how insular are your investments?
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What does the pension lifetime allowance buy?
23rd April 2018
It is worth looking at what your pension pot could buy for your retirement.
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Taking the early view on ISAs
16th April 2018
There are advantages to planning your ISA investments around the start of the tax year.
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New risk criteria for venture capital schemes
9th April 2018
Important changes for venture capital schemes and enterprise investment have recently come into effect.
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A simple Spring Statement
2nd April 2018
The Chancellor’s Spring Statement on 13 March was, as promised, a low-key event.
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A turbulent February for stock markets
26th March 2018
February saw a dramatic return of volatility to global stock markets.
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Reminders for the new tax year
19th March 2018
The start of the new tax year on 6 April marks several changes to tax and related matters that could make you richer… or poorer.
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A refund for power of attorney
12th March 2018
You may be due a refund if you have registered a power of attorney in recent years.
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An improvement to the ISA inheritance rules
5th March 2018
The rules for inheriting ISAs will change from 6 April.
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Dividends expected to slow after strong 2017
1st March 2018
A recently released report shows dividend payments in the UK grew more than 10% in 2017.
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PRIIPS – the latest acronym for retail investors to learn
26th February 2018
New regulations are producing some strange figures in investor information documents.
Read more of PRIIPS – the latest acronym for retail investors to learn
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HMRC counts the cost of tax reliefs
19th February 2018
HMRC has published its annual assessment of the cost of tax reliefs.
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The new Spring Statement replaces the Budget
5th February 2018
There will be no Spring Budget this March, but that does not mean the Chancellor is staying silent.
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Deadline approaching for using your ISA allowances
1st February 2018
Investors and their advisers should start to turn their focus to the end of the tax year on 5 April.
Read more of Deadline approaching for using your ISA allowances
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A rewarding 2017 for shares
29th January 2018
The world’s share markets were a profitable place to be in 2017.
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The slow climb of US interest rates, a quarter percentage at a time…
22nd January 2018
The US central bank increased interest rates again in December.
Read more of The slow climb of US interest rates, a quarter percentage at a time…
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The next steps in automatic enrolment
15th January 2018
The government has published a review on automatic enrolment in workplace pensions which makes important proposals for employers.
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HMRC v Airbnb – rent-a-room relief in the spotlight
8th January 2018
An HMRC paper promised in the Budget could be bad news if you use Airbnb.
Read more of HMRC v Airbnb – rent-a-room relief in the spotlight
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The Scottish version of income tax unveiled
1st January 2018
Last month saw another Budget – for Scotland, this time.
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Fancy your chances at 1 in 24,500…?
25th December 2017
National Savings & Investments have increased their interest rates – and boosted a chance of winning.
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Venture capital schemes and the Budget
18th December 2017
The Autumn Budget included a raft of measures focused on venture capital schemes.
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The quiet NIC increases
11th December 2017
The first Budget of 2017 in March hit a serious obstacle when the Chancellor attempted to raise national insurance contributions (NICs) for the self-employed. This time around he was subtler in his approach.
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The only way is up – after 3,773 days…
4th December 2017
November marked the first rise in the Bank of England Base Rate in over ten years.
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The buy-to-let Budget headline you didn’t see
1st December 2017
The Autumn Budget contained more bad news for many buy-to-let investors which went largely unnoticed.
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A different ending for Japan’s election gamble
27th November 2017
Not all snap elections turn out the same way...
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Has your income risen by 14.3% over the past year?
20th November 2017
Statistics show that dividends from UK shares are still rising rapidly.
Read more of Has your income risen by 14.3% over the past year?
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Rise in popularity for venture capital trusts
13th November 2017
New figures from HMRC show a large jump in VCT investments in 2016/17.
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A pensioners’ bonanza?
6th November 2017
State pensions will rise by 3% next April, but it’s not all strictly good news.
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Almost but not quite – near miss on inflation helps boost interest rate
1st November 2017
September inflation was just low enough to spare Mark Carney writing to the Chancellor. And helped spur the first interest rate rise in a decade.
Read more of Almost but not quite – near miss on inflation helps boost interest rate
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Markets rise against the grain in Q3
30th October 2017
The third quarter of 2017 has ended and despite the heavy political news, investment returns were generally positive.
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Venture capital schemes: changes afoot?
23rd October 2017
A consultation paper issued in August could mean changes to venture capital schemes.
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Gearing up for the Autumn Budget
16th October 2017
The Chancellor has announced the date of his first Autumn Budget as Wednesday 22 November.
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Markets look to an early interest rate rise
9th October 2017
The Bank of England has signalled that interest rates may rise soon.
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Cash ISAs losing favour
2nd October 2017
New statistics from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) show that cash withdrawals from individual savings accounts (ISAs) are probably more than matching fresh contributions.
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August share falls – a cautionary tale
25th September 2017
August provided a reminder that even in seemingly quiet times, the value of individual shares can be volatile.
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Self-employed struggle to save
18th September 2017
Self-employment is the dream of many, especially as the goal of retirement seems to creep further out of reach. Being your own boss sounds great. But there are drawbacks. Around two million of the country’s self-employed workers are unable to save any money each month, leaving them vulnerable to financial shocks.
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A Junior ISA with a minor interest rate
11th September 2017
National Savings & Investments (NS&I) have launched their first Junior ISA.
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A sleeping dragon wakes on tax avoidance
4th September 2017
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has come closer to using its weapon of last resort against tax avoidance schemes.
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What’s your inflation yardstick?
1st September 2017
Inflation was in the news last month in various guises.
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More tax transparency with offshore letters
28th August 2017
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) wants to remind you of its interest in your offshore investments.
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When I’m 68…: state pension age rising again
21st August 2017
The government has announced plans for a further increase in state pension age.
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Dividends keep growing for 2017
14th August 2017
UK companies paid out a record amount in dividends in the second quarter of this year.
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Pension flexibility two years on – the report card
7th August 2017
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has examined the impact of pension flexibility and is worried about the lack of advice.
Read more of Pension flexibility two years on – the report card
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Finance Acts 2017: the sequel?
1st August 2017
The long-running saga of the final spring Budget and subsequent Finance Bills is one step nearer the end.
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Investment round up – 2017 half-year report
31st July 2017
The first six months of 2017 have presented investors with an interesting half year.
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No summer Budget, but…
24th July 2017
The general election left the future of many spring Budget announcements up in the air, but that situation may soon change.
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China becomes an emerging market as MSCI finally opens up
17th July 2017
China-listed shares are finally to be included in the leading emerging markets index.
Read more of China becomes an emerging market as MSCI finally opens up
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Getting our hopes up for an interest rate rise?
10th July 2017
Last month saw the first suggestions that interest rates could increase soon.
Read more of Getting our hopes up for an interest rate rise?
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Mr Carney prepares to write a letter as inflation rises
3rd July 2017
The latest inflation numbers show prices rising at their fastest rate for nearly four years.
Read more of Mr Carney prepares to write a letter as inflation rises
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And after the election…
26th June 2017
There is unfinished business for the new government to deal with.
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Revisiting social care in the election campaign
12th June 2017
The general election campaign provided a reminder that the issue of funding social care remains unresolved.
Read more of Revisiting social care in the election campaign
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The Bank of England has a slight change of heart
5th June 2017
The latest Quarterly Inflation Report (QIR) from the Bank of England has been published and shows that ‘the Old Lady’ has changed her mind a little. But the market projections for short-term interest rates don’t make for helpful reading for those with cash deposits.
Read more of The Bank of England has a slight change of heart
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2017 election: income tax revisited
1st June 2017
The 2017 election manifestos offered little good news on the future of income tax.
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The NASDAQ hits 6,000
29th May 2017
The market most associated with US technology shares reached a new high in April.
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A round-up of Budget non-starters
22nd May 2017
The Spring Budget has become a victim of the snap election.
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China: fourth time lucky?
15th May 2017
One of the major index providers is reviewing the constituents of its important global market indices.
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Probate fees changes – an election casualty few will mourn
8th May 2017
The election has put a stop to planned increases in probate fees for England and Wales.
Read more of Probate fees changes – an election casualty few will mourn
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State pensions: not quite what was advertised
1st May 2017
Most people reaching state pension age today are receiving less than the new state pension.
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Another notch up in State Pension Age
24th April 2017
An independent review has recommended bringing forward the move to a state pension age of 68.
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Introducing the new NS&I bond – is that it?
17th April 2017
The Budget confirmed the rate on the new National Savings & Investments Bond.
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US interest rates go up, but the UK bides its time
10th April 2017
The US central bank, the Federal Reserve, has increased interest rates for a third time.
Read more of US interest rates go up, but the UK bides its time
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Time to review your salary sacrifice arrangements?
3rd April 2017
New rules for taxing many salary sacrifice arrangements come into force from 6 April.
Read more of Time to review your salary sacrifice arrangements?
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The dividend allowance cut – what’s the damage?
1st April 2017
One of the few surprises in the March Budget was a cut to the dividend allowance to come in 2018/19.
Read more of The dividend allowance cut – what’s the damage?
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A boost to ISAs on the horizon
27th March 2017
New regulations promise another improvement to ISAs soon.
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Time to welcome the Lifetime ISA
20th March 2017
6 April marks the launch of a new ISA variant, the Lifetime ISA (LISA).
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The rising dividend and the falling pound
13th March 2017
Recently released figures show that UK dividends grew faster than inflation in 2016.
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National Savings lose lustre with interest rates cut
6th March 2017
National Savings & Investments are cutting interest rates from 1 May.
Read more of National Savings lose lustre with interest rates cut
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6 April reminders
1st March 2017
Tax year beginning planning can be just as valuable as its more familiar year end counterpart.
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HMRC, the ultra-rich and the not-so-rich
27th February 2017
Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee thinks that the “government must take a tougher stance on taxing the very wealthy.”
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The end of the tax year: 5 April reminders
20th February 2017
As the end of the tax year nears, remember the 5 April is a multi-faceted deadline.
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The rising cost of age and health
6th February 2017
The government’s financial watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), has been mulling over future healthcare and pension costs.
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Is a return to inflation on the cards?
1st February 2017
December’s inflation figure was the highest since July 2015.
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Another good year for sterling investors in the world stock markets
30th January 2017
At first sight, the results from the world’s main share markets in 2016 appear mixed, but that’s before currency effects are considered.
Read more of Another good year for sterling investors in the world stock markets
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The residence nil rate band – not so simple
23rd January 2017
From April, the residence nil rate band comes into being.
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The last Spring Budget date has been set
16th January 2017
The Treasury has announced the date of the next Budget.
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Another year, another rate rise…
9th January 2017
December saw a 0.25% increase in the main US interest short term rate.
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Another pension annual allowance cut
26th December 2016
The Autumn Statement revealed plans for another annual allowance cut.
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Attention staff: the cafeteria is closing
19th December 2016
The Autumn Statement confirmed plans to limit the scope for salary sacrifice arrangements.
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Deposit protection limits to rise next year
12th December 2016
It looks likely that the deposit protection limit will rise at the end of January.
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Putting a price on unpaid work
5th December 2016
The Office for National Statistics has been examining the value of unpaid work.
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The Trump card has been dealt
1st December 2016
What are the investment consequences of the surprise US election result?
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Second-hand annuities: not for sale
28th November 2016
The Treasury has changed its mind about allowing the sale of pension annuities.
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Radical reform for pension contribution tax relief?
21st November 2016
The pre-Autumn Statement rumour mill is suggesting a radical reform of pension contribution tax relief.
Read more of Radical reform for pension contribution tax relief?
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State Pension Age: getting older?
14th November 2016
The government has published an independent review on the state pension system.
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Marmite pricing: the bad news
2nd November 2016
Inflation rose to 1% in September, but that will not be the end of the story.
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A better quarter
31st October 2016
The third quarter of 2016 was not the meltdown it threatened to be after the referendum.
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Cash defies low interest rates
24th October 2016
New statistics from HMRC show that cash is still a popular ISA investment, despite ultra-low interest rates.
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What role does property play in retirement planning?
17th October 2016
There has been a difference of opinion on the role of property in retirement planning between the Bank of England’s Chief Economist and a former Deputy Governor.
Read more of What role does property play in retirement planning?
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The Autumn Statement: the date’s been set
10th October 2016
The Treasury has confirmed that the Autumn Statement will be on 23 November.
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Chancellor aims to launch LISA next April
3rd October 2016
The previous Chancellor’s plans to launch a Lifetime ISA (LISA) have been given a fresh breath of life.
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Another Chinese export
26th September 2016
The next stage of the opening up of the Chinese stock markets has been agreed.
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HMRC plans another turn of the anti-avoidance screw
19th September 2016
In August, HMRC published a consultation document on adding a new weapon to its anti-avoidance armoury: penalties on ‘enablers’.
Read more of HMRC plans another turn of the anti-avoidance screw
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Pensions freedom: taking too much or too little
12th September 2016
New statistics have been published showing just how much has been withdrawn in the first year of pensions freedom.
Read more of Pensions freedom: taking too much or too little
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The six figure pension fund
5th September 2016
The fall in interest rates is boosting some pension transfer values.
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Interest rates now at 0.25%...
1st September 2016
The Bank of England halved its base rate in August. By the end of the year, it could be lower still.
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Protecting your pension
29th August 2016
The interim procedure for claiming the 2016 pension protections has come to an end.
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Just how much interest are(n’t) you earning?
22nd August 2016
The Bank of England may have finally ended speculation and dropped the interest rate from 0.5% to a new low of 0.25%, but there are plenty of savings accounts already paying less.
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It’s not all bad news on the pound
15th August 2016
The Brexit-induced decline in the value of the pound has brought some good news for investors.
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A new Chancellor takes the reins
1st August 2016
The UK now has a new Prime Minister and a new Chancellor, but will tax policy change?
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Autumn Statement 2015
1st December 2015
Autumn Statement 2015: the Chancellor’s third round of surprises this year
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RWC Summer 2015 News Bulletin
15th June 2015
The last few months have seen the country in the grip of election fever, but now it’s over and it’s time for the government to get to work on their promises and deliver the second Budget of the year. There are going to many changes coming up over the course of 2015 and we have addressed some of the most important issues that are going to affect you and your business, so sit back and enjoy reading your summer 2015 newsletter.
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RWC Spring 2015 News Bulletin
1st March 2015
Tax never stands still… There are important income tax changes due in April.
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RWC Summer 2014 News Bulletin
1st July 2014
Now the headlines regarding the budget changes to pension policies has died down and the finer detail is being sorted out by the legislators I thought it was worth a few lines on how “revolutionary” some of the pension changes actually are.
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Autumn Statement 2013
5th December 2013
Highlights, Economic background, Personal tax, Business tax, Tax avoidance and evasion, Other measures, Main income tax rates and allowances & National insurance contributions
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RWC Winter 2013 News Bulletin
1st December 2013
Featured in this Winter's issue: How much income will you need in retirement? Should you protect your pension now? Another view on annuities Forward guidance goes backwards and more...
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RWC Autumn 2013 News Bulletin
1st October 2013
Featured in this Autumn's issue: Higher education – managing degrees of debt; ISAs: spread evenly over six months and more...
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What You Think Happens, Might Eventually Happen
30th September 2013
The government is consulting on reforms to intestacy. What happens if you die leaving only your spouse/civil partner, no children and no will?
Read more of What You Think Happens, Might Eventually Happen
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Mind the Annuity Gap
27th September 2013
The Association of British Insurers has started to publish annuity tables, with some interesting results.
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Tax Rates in 2016
23rd September 2013
The Liberal Democrats have put forward their latest ideas on tax. The next General Election is due on 7 May 2015 and politicians are already jostling for position, with talk of another coalition in the air.
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Emerging Market Wobbles
16th September 2013
Emerging and developed markets are moving apart. Emerging markets have had a parting of the ways from their developed counterparts since spring.
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But the Market has Other Views
9th September 2013
The market is unconvinced by Mr Carney’s 2016 target. One of the reasons why ‘forward guidance’ is a relatively new idea is that central bankers are a cautious bunch who avoid making themselves a hostage to fortune. Mr Carney’s three ‘knockouts” give him some wriggle room, but the more flexibility there is, the less the credibility of the forward guidance.
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Base Rate at 0.5% until 2016
2nd September 2013
August was not a quiet month at the Bank of England. The new Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, came to the job with a ‘rock star’ central banker reputation which his predecessor, Sir Mervyn King, lacked. Mr Carney was expected to reform the Bank’s policies and in August he took a major step in this direction.
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