Can your pension sustain your retirement?
Posted by siteadmin on Tuesday 28th of September 2021
Working out how long your pension pot will need to last – as life expectancy rises – is worth thinking about sooner than later.
The lockdown caused many people to reassess their lifestyles, which for some meant choosing early retirement. But what retirees have found is that pension pots are not matching the period of time needed to enjoy a comfortable life.
Life expectancy is going up. The Office for National Statistics offers an online calculator which gives an estimate of life expectancy – and with it an idea of how many years people w...
How to make ISAs work for you
Posted by siteadmin on Monday 27th of September 2021
Make the most of your tax allowances by using the different types of ISAs that are available.
Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) were first introduced in 1999 and are a tax-free way to save into a cash savings or investment account. There lots of different types of ISA available, but the right one for you will depend on your financial goals. We explain how they work so you can choose the one that is best for you.
Cash ISA
A cash ISA works in the same way as traditional savings account but you won’t have to pay tax on any of the interest y...
Investment Update - Markets reflect uncertainty over Delta variant
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 1st of September 2021
The pandemic continued to unsettle global financial markets during August.
August turned into a month of highs and lows for markets, especially in Europe. There was positive news that the euro area’s economy grew by 2% in the second quarter, which was then countered by a heavy fall in share prices, with the FTSE 100 in London, Frankfurt’s Dax and the Europe Stoxx 600 all dropping more than 2%.1 Causes for concern in Europe centred on fears of a new wave of Covid-19 as well as a reduction in economic stimulus measures.
US Federal Reserve ...
Are Gen X prepared for retirement?
Posted by siteadmin on Tuesday 17th of August 2021
Should we be concerned about rising inflation?
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 7th of July 2021
Most economists expect inflation to pick up over the next few months as lockdown restrictions ease and shops and restaurants reopen. But is this a cause for concern?
As lockdown measures begin to lift, financial markets are making their adjustments in anticipation of a rise in inflation, with bond yields picking up (meaning prices have fallen) and stock markets rotating from defensive sectors into cyclicals.
What is inflation?
Put simply, inflation measures the change in the prices of goods and services. If it rises then it takes ...
How to plan for inheritance tax
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 7th of July 2021
Following the news that thousands more people are expected to pay the standard 40% inheritance tax this year because of the effects of the pandemic, we explore some of the ways to navigate the complexities of inheritance tax.
The complex laws around inheritance tax (IHT) caught many people off guard during the Covid-19 pandemic. Along with the often-sudden loss of a loved one came the issues arising from IHT on gifts passed down to children and grandchildren.
This tax year marks the latest in a series where the number of p...
Time to consolidate your pensions?
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 7th of July 2021
Employer pensions can accumulate as we change jobs, and it’s easy to lose track of how much each one contains. We explore what you need to know if you’re thinking about consolidating your pensions.
When you leave a job, it’s easy to forget about the workplace pension you might have had there. With the average person having several jobs during their lives, along with the 2012 introduction of auto-enrolment for employer-based pensions, it’s not surprising that many of us have more than one pension to our name.
Tracking down your ol...
Protect your possessions with accidental damage cover
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 7th of July 2021
Insurance claims for accidental damage increased over the past year as more people worked from home, so it’s a good time to check your own coverage.
Figures from some of the country’s biggest insurance providers have shown a sharp rise in claims of accidental damage during the lockdown.
With many millions now working from home, the chances of accidents and damage to property have inevitably gone up. Halifax Home Insurance reported a rise of 35% for claims between July and September 2020 compared with the same period in 2019.
Types of ac...
Investment Update July 2021: Almost fully open for business
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 7th of July 2021
June saw a delay to the planned reopening of UK business and services, a drop in unemployment and some promising world economic news.
June brought the news that the UK’s unemployment rate fell to 4.7% in the three months to April – a slight improvement from 4.8% in the three months to March. This, coupled with strong consumer spending figures for the month, offered some hope despite inflation jumping to 2.1% - mainly driven by the increase in the cost of fuel, clothing and eating out. Overall, the job market in particular showed good sign...
Inflation rises, along with commodity prices
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 2nd of June 2021
The combined economic effects of stimulus measures, inflation and increased spending all contributed to an eventful month.
In May, vaccine rollouts gathered pace and pandemic-based restrictions began to lift in many countries. However, a new wave of cases in India raised concerns worldwide.
Despite reports that the UK economy shrank in the first quarter compared with the previous three months, the level of employment increased, although it remains below pre-pandemic levels. Inflation doubled to 1.5% in April, and the next stage of reopen...
