Should I discuss Wills and Trusts with my family?
Time to talk Discussing Wills and trusts with adult children or dependents Wealth transfer has become an important issue for many families today. Individuals with assets of any size should prepare for their eventual transfer whilst making provision for any tax or legal consequences. But more than half of parents (57%) haven’t spoken to their adult children about their Will,…
How to choose an investment style
Show me the money Choosing an investment style that best suits your needs Investment styles are professional strategies used to create and manage portfolios. Different styles can range from aggressive growth to conservative investments. Depending on the investor’s goals, interests and risk tolerance level, they can choose a style that best suits their needs. For example, an investor looking for…
What sort of lifestyle will you be able to afford in retirement?
How inflation could be impacting on your retirement plans Inflation can affect your retirement savings depending on what you do with that money. Leaving your money in a bank account with low interest is a risk, as your money will not outgrow the rate of inflation. Thats why it’s important to have an understanding of how inflation could be impacting…
10 tips to help identify and avoid financial scams
Spotting an investment scam How scammers are getting more convincing Around half of UK adults (51%) have or know someone who has received a suspicious communication in the last 12 months, according to new research[1]. This equates to 27 million people across the UK. Most of these cases can be described as ‘phishing scams’ (51%), when a fraudster attempts to…
How advice can boost your financial wellbeing
Planning to meet your goals The professional advice received from a financial adviser can make it easier to understand your financial situation and help you create strategies for better money management. They will be able to provide tailored advice that considers your individual circumstances, goals and needs. They will explain the options available, from setting up emergency funds to effectively…
Passing wealth down – what are my options?
Passing wealth down through the generations Millions of retirees help out in cost of living crisis The rise in the cost of living is affecting millions of people. A third of young adults (18-34) and families with young children are struggling financially. Many are turning to family and friends for help with day-to-day expenses such as utility bills, housing costs…
Use it or lose it – don’t miss the ISA deadline!
Use your tax-efficient allowance or lose it forever! Time is running out to take advantage of this year’s Individual Savings Account (ISA) allowances. You get one ISA allowance per tax year. So use it or lose it soon, when the tax year ends on 5 April. Any unused ISA allowance will not be rolled over into the new tax year.…
When should I stop working?
How to tell whether you’re ready to retire Do you have enough income to retire? Are you prepared for the life changes retirement will bring? Is this the right time to sell your business? Is your timing right or will your savings and investments be at risk from volatile market conditions? The best time to retire will depend on a…
How do I make my wealth more tax-efficient?
Inheritance Tax receipts reach £6.1bn We all want to leave a legacy and make sure the ones we care about most are well taken care of when we’re gone. That’s why making plans for Inheritance Tax is so important, to have confidence that your children, grandchildren and those you hold dearest will be taken care of long into the future.…
Deciding whether to withdraw cash from your pension pot?
Cash may not be king Choosing what to do with your pension is a big decision. If you’ve been saving into a defined contribution pension (sometimes called ‘money purchase’) during your working life, from age 55 (age 57 in 2028) you need to decide what to do with the money you’ve saved towards your pension when you eventually decide to…