Tax planning tips

We’ve put together a list of the ‘top 5’ tax planning tips to consider before 5 April 2020, the end of the 2019/20 tax year. 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. The rates given…

Read more

Protecting what matters

If something should happen to you, the last thing you want is for you or your family to be worrying about money. One of the most important aspects of your financial planning should be to ensure that you’ve made provision for your family and any dependants in the event of a serious illness, injury or…

Read more

Turning pensions into money you can use

Today, you’ve got a number of options and permutations available when it comes to turning pensions into money you can use. But lots of choice can also mean increased confusion. Your retirement might seem like a far off prospect, but knowing how you can access your pension pot can help you understand how best to…

Read more

Retirement Longevity

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? Your destiny is in your own hands. In trying to answer these questions, you face a problem. Because of longevity trends, we are on average living longer. With longevity increasing,…

Read more

We’re shortlisted in the MoneyAge Awards

We’re delighted to announce that we’ve once again been shortlisted in the MoneyAge Awards 2019 for the ‘Financial Adviser of the Year (medium to large)’ category. No in their 4th year, the MoneyAge Awards celebrate the excellence, innovation and professionalism in the ever expanding and innovative personal finance space. It honours the financial specialists who…

Read more

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. Thousands of people who go through a divorce or…

Read more

Strategies to consider when volatility strikes

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 sounds as though it will never end. This can spark anxiety, fuel uncertainty and trigger radical decisions in even the most…

Read more

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. Having built up their business or wealth, many families often wish to enjoy it whilst also ensuring that it is passed on to the next generation in their families. Passing…

Read more

Goldilocks economy

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. Over time, inflation can reduce the value of your savings because prices typically go up…

Read more

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. However, the type of investment and tax-efficiency is a common dilemma faced…

Read more

A Guide to Managing Investment Risk

Welcome to our guide to managing investment risk. One of the most effective ways to manage investment risk is to spread your money across a range of assets that, historically, have tended to perform differently in the same circumstances. This is called ‘diversification’ – reducing the risk of your portfolio by choosing a mix of…

Read more

Trusts

Trusts are all about protecting, preserving or ultimately distributing your wealth. As part of your Inheritance tax planning, you may want to consider putting assets in trust – either during your lifetime or under the terms of your Will. Putting assets in trust – rather than making a direct gift to a beneficiary – can…

Read more