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Change to the state pension triple lock
5th November 2021
Pensioners ‘deeply disappointed’, particularly women and self-employed.
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Retirement planning journey
4th August 2021
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 tax relief
4th August 2021
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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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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Fulling 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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Gender pension gap
22nd February 2021
What you can do to reduce a future financial shortfall A lot has been made of the gender pay gap, but what’s not so well known is how this can affect women in retirement. Unsurprisingly, women don’t fare as well as men when it comes to the savings they’ve built up for a healthy and economically stable retirement.
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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 generations
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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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
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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Investing with a conscience
9th 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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Will the over-50s become a lost generation?
7th 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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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
Invest in a better future 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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Future financial health
26th October 2020
Taking the time to take back control over retirement savings With all that has been going on in the world this year, for many people it’s been really difficult to feel as though they’re in control of much. However, some people have been in the fortunate position of being able to take the opportunity to invest in both their physical and emotional health while in lockdown.
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Supporting younger genrations
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
Rewritten retirement rules 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
ome 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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Free up extra money
23rd 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
Preparing ourselves for life to be really strange for some time 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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Hurting from home
7th July 2020
Is the ‘new normal’ having an adverse effect on your health? More than half of office workers believe their employer should do more to help them work from home during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. This has lead to millions of Britons suffering from pain as a result of their makeshift home offices.
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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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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
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is 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
t’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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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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Unlocking property wealth
3rd April 2020
Are you ‘property rich’ but want or need more than you have saved? An increasing number of people aged over 65 are using equity release products to pay off debts and mortgages. Many people in the UK might be ‘property rich’ but want or need more than they have saved to enjoy the lifestyle they want. And with more people living longer, there are, on average, more years to fund.
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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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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
13th 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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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
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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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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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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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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Making investment decisions into old age
30th 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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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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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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Show me the money
19th August 2019
Turning pensions into money you can use Today, you’ve got a number of options and permutations available when it comes to what to do with your pension in retirement. But lots of choice can also mean increased confusion.
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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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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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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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Inflation matters
26th November 2018
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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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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Should I stay or should I go now?
17th September 2018
Key aspects that influence retirement decisions
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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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A volatile first half for 2016 investments
1st July 2016
The first half of 2016 has been marked by volatility – especially in the final week
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Retirement choices shrink as annuities withdrawn
1st July 2016
One of the UK’s biggest insurance companies has withdrawn from the advisory annuity market
Read more of Retirement choices shrink as annuities withdrawn
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Chinese shares almost in from the cold
1st July 2016
An important decision on the leading emerging markets index has been announced
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Single-tier or No-tier pensions?
1st July 2016
The Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) is writing to over 100,000 people with bad news about their state pension
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How your income tax bill really has gone up
1st June 2016
Independent research shows that if you feel you’re paying more income tax than you used to, you’re probably right
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Staying ahead of auto-enrolment penalties
1st June 2016
It is not only BHS which is keeping the Pensions Regulator bus
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A happy ending for a cautionary investment tale?
1st June 2016
The Treasury has issued a consultation paper on changes to the taxation of single premium investment bonds following a long-running tax tribunal case
Read more of A happy ending for a cautionary investment tale?
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Your bank rewards may be less than interesting
1st June 2016
Not everything your bank pays you counts towards the personal savings allowance
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Are your children eyeing up their inheritance already?
1st June 2016
Recent research shows that UK household savings are forecast to fall to their lowest rate in over 50 years
Read more of Are your children eyeing up their inheritance already?
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National Savings wields the axe
1st May 2016
National Savings & Investments (NS&I) are cutting interest rates
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Inflation picks up – just a little
1st May 2016
The March inflation number was the highest since December 2014
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Offshore funds and onshore myths
1st May 2016
The ‘Panama Papers’ have created a media frenzy about offshore investment. Not everything you read was necessarily accurate
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What will you get for £168?
1st May 2016
Recent research has revealed how much it costs to make sure your wishes are met on death
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A capital gains tax cut – but only for some
1st April 2016
The Chancellor made a surprise decision to cut capital gains tax (CGT) in his Budget – but not for everyone
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Is LISA the back door to pension reform?
1st April 2016
The announcement of the Lifetime ISA suggests that the Chancellor has not given up on his ideas for reforming the taxation of pensions
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Income tax changes
1st April 2016
The burden of income tax was reduced slightly in the Budget, but anomalies remain
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More anti-avoidance measures
1st April 2016
The Chancellor hopes to raise another £12bn from anti-avoidance measures announced in the Budget
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Another investment quarter passes
1st April 2016
The first quarter of the year is over. For all the excitement over the last three months, from end to end, not much happened
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Keep an eye on your cash
1st March 2016
The latest inflation figure has crept up again, but interest rates haven’t followed
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Automatic enrolment: the number of fines is increasing
1st March 2016
The Pensions Regulator is finding a growing number of automatic enrolment failures
Read more of Automatic enrolment: the number of fines is increasing
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Year Start planning: time to get ahead?
1st March 2016
As we near the end of the tax year, now is the time to consider not only year end planning, but also planning for the new tax year
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Brexit: are we in for a stormy summer?
1st March 2016
The date of 23 June has been set for the EU referendum. It could be a volatile run into summer
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A volatile start to 2016
1st February 2016
January was a rollercoaster ride for share markets around the world
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Venture capital trusts changes in 2016
1st February 2016
This year’s venture capital trusts (VCT) offerings are the first under a changed set of investment rules
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Interest rates: “the turn of the year”
1st February 2016
The Governor of the Bank of England has made another interest rate pronouncement
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The slippery slide of oil prices
1st February 2016
The fall in the price of oil is having some curious side effects
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Another non-allowance for personal savings
1st January 2016
More details have emerged about the forthcoming personal savings allowance
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The 65+ Guaranteed Growth Bond matures
1st January 2016
National Savings & Investments (NS&I) has announced reinvestment terms for the 65+ bonds that were so popular a year ago
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Selling your pension annuity
1st January 2016
The government has set out further details about the secondary annuity market
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Another mixed year for world stock markets
1st January 2016
There were mixed results from the world’s main share markets in 2015, with the US and UK very little changed
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Super Thursday for the Bank of England
1st December 2015
The first Thursday in November – coincidentally Guy Fawkes’ Day – was a “Super Thursday” for the Bank of England
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And the winner for retirement savings is…
1st December 2015
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been looking at attitudes to private savings
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Auto-enrolment: the first deferral
1st December 2015
The Autumn Statement revealed more evidence that the government is counting the cost of tax relief on pension contributions
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State pension increases and non-increases
1st December 2015
The basic state pension will rise by nearly 3% next April
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Buy-to-let hit again
1st December 2015
Last month’s Autumn Statement marked another future tax increase for buy-to-let
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The ups and downs of National Savings
1st November 2015
National Savings is both reducing and increasing interest rates. But its real rate challenge lies ahead
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An autumn reprieve on pensions?
1st November 2015
This month’s Autumn Statement will not reveal any major pension tax reforms
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A December US interest rate rise?
1st November 2015
The United States Federal reserve has moved closer to an interest rate rise next month
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Automatic enrolment: are you ready?
1st November 2015
More employers are failing to meet their obligations
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The Fed interest rate rise – the dog that didn’t bark
1st October 2015
A long-awaited meeting of the US Federal Reserve did not result in an interest rate rise
Read more of The Fed interest rate rise – the dog that didn’t bark
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HMRC accelerates to £1bn of collections
1st October 2015
HM Revenue & Customs’ (HMRC’s) accelerated payments programme has now collected £1bn from users of tax avoidance schemes
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Buy-to-let: a future tax trap?
1st October 2015
A close reading of the summer Finance Bill has highlighted a further tax consequence of the government’s moves to limit tax relief for interest on buy-to-let mortgages
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More detail on dividend changes
1st September 2015
HMRC has issued a factsheet about next year’s dividend tax changes
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Another inflation measure
1st September 2015
The latest inflation figures showed virtually zero inflation and nothing to worry about…or did they?
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Venture Capital Trusts and dividend reinvestment
1st September 2015
The Finance Bill is giving venture capital pause for thought
Read more of Venture Capital Trusts and dividend reinvestment
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That August feeling
1st September 2015
The summer holiday month was anything but relaxing for investors in UK shares
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Deposit protection to fall
1st August 2015
The compensation for lost deposits is to be cut by £10,000
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Interest rates to rise
1st August 2015
The Governor of the Bank of England (BoE) is hinting at interest rate rises again
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Doffing the care cost cap
1st August 2015
The proposal for a care cost cap in England has been put on hold
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The trouble with averages
1st August 2015
Knowing what the average is may not be as helpful as you think
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The £1,000,000 inheritance tax exemption
1st July 2015
Mr Osborne has made good his manifesto commitment to ease the burden of inheritance tax, but his approach is not simple
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Dividends and tax – a Summer Budget surprise
1st July 2015
One of the surprises of the Summer Budget was announcement of new tax rules for dividends from April 2016
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Buy-to-let gets squeezed
1st July 2015
The Summer Budget contained two important changes to buy-to-let taxation
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UbbLE – introducing the UK’s longevity explorer
1st July 2015
Would you like to know your chances of dying in the next five years…?
Read more of UbbLE – introducing the UK’s longevity explorer
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Get ready for the second Budget of the year
1st June 2015
Last month’s unexpected election result has been followed by the more anticipated announcement of a second 2015 Budget. Quite what it will be about is unclear for now – the Treasury’s press release gave little more than the date
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Interest rate rise: now it’s 2016
1st June 2015
The latest Quarterly Inflation Report from the Bank of England suggests there will no base rate rise this year
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Deflation arrives
1st June 2015
The official rate of inflation fell below zero in April: prices are now dropping year on year
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Child Trust Fund to JISA transfers
1st May 2015
At long last it has become possible to transfer Child Trust Funds to Junior ISAs
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A Budget is not a Finance Act
1st May 2015
Not all the contents of the March Budget reached the statue book
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A ‘mistake’ rectified
1st May 2015
A lesson in why it pays to take advice has ended with a creative decision from a tax tribunal
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Pension tax: a post-election change - whoever wins
1st April 2015
The lifetime allowance is to be cut again
Read more of Pension tax: a post-election change - whoever wins
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Further help to buy from the government
1st April 2015
A Help to Buy ISA will be launched in the autumn, aimed at helping first time buyers get onto the housing ladder
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A savings tax cut
1st April 2015
A new personal savings allowance will come into existence in April 2016
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Selling your pension annuity
1st April 2015
The Budget confirmed that the government is exploring ways to create a market in pension annuities
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Auto-enrolment: the penalties begin
1st March 2015
The latest report from the Pensions Regulator (TPR) on pension auto-enrolment carries important warnings
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0.5% base rates: the story continues
1st March 2015
5 March marked the sixth anniversary of 0.5% base rates
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Pensioner Bonds get an extended lease of life
1st March 2015
The Chancellor has announced increased availability for Pensioner Bonds
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Back to square one for the FTSE 100
1st March 2015
The FTSE 100 index has finally surpassed its previous peak
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A currency-dominated month
1st February 2015
January saw plenty of excitement on the currency front.
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Is the government wising up to pensions?
1st February 2015
The Treasury has rebranded its ‘guidance guarantee’
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Inheriting your partner’s Individual savings account
1st February 2015
More details have emerged about how ISAs can be inherited
Read more of Inheriting your partner’s Individual savings account
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Tax year end planning: investments
1st February 2015
The Budget is on 18 March and the tax year ends on Easter Sunday (5 April)
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Tax year end planning 2015: pensions
1st February 2015
The new tax rules are due from 6 April, but there is still plenty to consider before then
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The pensioner bonds with market leading rates
1st January 2015
The long-awaited terms for these bonds have been announced
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Pension changes become law
1st January 2015
The Taxation of Pensions Bill received Royal Assent just before Parliament upped sticks for the festive season
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A few dates for your calendar
1st January 2015
The first half of 2015 promises to be an interesting and potentially volatile time for investors
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A mixed year for equity markets
1st January 2015
There were mixed results from the world’s main share markets in 2014, with the US coming up trumps
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Explaining the single-tier state pension
1st December 2014
The Department for Work and Pensions has just launched a new campaign to explain the new single-tier state pension.
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The inter-generational pension plan
1st December 2014
The government has amended the Taxation of Pensions Bill, paving the way for inheritable pensions.
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The pension bank account – a practical reality?
1st November 2014
The press was full of ‘pension bank account’ stories in October. Will it be that simple?
Read more of The pension bank account – a practical reality?
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A £50,000 higher rate tax threshold?
1st November 2014
Mr Cameron’s promise of a £50,000 starting point for higher rate tax is not all that it seems.
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Inflation shrinks again
1st November 2014
The latest data from the Office for National Statistics show that inflation is at a five year low.
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A volatile month on the markets
1st November 2014
October gave investors a turbulent time. Or was it just a passing squall?
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Workplace pensions: the clock is ticking for SMES
1st October 2014
Nearly 4.5m people have now been automatically enrolled in a workplace pension, but the Pensions Regulator is worried about what happens next.
Read more of Workplace pensions: the clock is ticking for SMES
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Pensions, death and tax
1st October 2014
The Chancellor has outlined his plans for the tax treatment of pension death benefits.
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Taking pension protection – yes or no?
1st September 2014
You can now opt for Individual Protection 2014 to protect your pension benefits. But should you?
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The other property market
1st July 2014
Recent figures show that it is not only residential property that is growing in value.
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Pension tax relief
1st May 2014
Calls to reform tax relief on pension contributions are coming from across the political spectrum.
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Overhauling Pensions – the big story
1st April 2014
The Chancellor delivered a major reform on the pension front, one that was completely unexpected and potentially game changing – witness the dramatic fall in some life company share prices.
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Personal Tax – Higher rate taxpayer numbers on the rise
1st April 2014
The days when Budgets revealed tax allowances and bands for the coming tax year have long since passed.
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Welcoming the New ISA
1st April 2014
Last year it was reported that the Treasury had asked ISA providers about the practicalities of capping total investments at £100,000. Anyone expecting the worst in the Budget was pleasantly surprised.
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Another annuity review
1st March 2014
The pension annuity market had been in the spotlight for some while and the latest review, from the Financial Conduct Authority, shows why.
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2.0% + 7.1% =?
1st February 2014
At long last, UK inflation has hit target…but soon, so too will unemployment.
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Property returns
1st February 2014
2013 was a better year for UK commercial property than many had predicted.
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Tax year end planning; Investments
1st February 2014
The Budget is on March 19, so tax year end planning time has arrived.
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50% Top Tax again
1st February 2014
The shadow Chancellor has promised to reinstate a 50% additional rate of income tax if Labour forms the next government.
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Tax year end planning 2014: Pensions
1st February 2014
There are important year end deadlines for pensions looming into view
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Another good year for equity markets
1st January 2014
For a year that started off with concerns about another euro crisis and a triple dip recession in the UK, developed equity markets performed strongly in 2013.
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At least we beat Mexico
1st December 2013
The UK state pension system has come under the spotlight again.
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September inflation data
1st November 2013
The latest inflation numbers are not as important as they once would have been.
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Is 8% enough?
1st November 2013
The final level of contributions under pension auto-enrolment is probably too low, according to one leading pensions organisation.
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Another recovering property market
1st October 2013
The UK property market is not the only one that is recovering…
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How much income will you need in retirement
1st October 2013
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been mulling over the answer to this question
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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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MSCIng Out
1st January 1970
One of the main stock market index providers made an important decision on China in June
