How to claim tax relief on your pension contributions
Tax relief is a valuable incentive for saving for retirement. Jamie Tough explains the value of basic rate tax relief, but if you are a higher rate or additional rate taxpayer, you need to make sure you claim the additional tax relief which you are entitled to receive.
No room for Budget giveaways
Prior to October’s Budget, David Hands looks at the signals coming from the Office of Budget Responsibility. Not surprisingly, the government is tightening its belt.
Effective savings for you and your family
Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) are commonplace amongst financial planning – but are you using the allowance effectively? ISAs and other allowances, including Child Trust Funds, play a part in providing our advice recommendations on effective saving strategies.
A clear view of retirement income
Retirement planning is most effective with a clear view of the income required and identifying the shortfall that financial plans need to meet. Our advisers help our clients to look ahead with confidence in their retirement planning.
Making financial plans for long term care
Long term care is a growing area of financial planning. There are limits for State support, but our advisers can help you and your family to manage long term care costs or plan ahead.
How to make the most of your savings
During the pandemic many have faced lower outgoings due to the restrictions, with no holidays or reduced travel costs, which has allowed some to make savings. We look at the global impact on savings and how we can help you to continue or start the savings habit.
Is your Power of Attorney fit for purpose?
Many people have set up a power of attorney, but in this article we highlight the need to review these arrangements or take care when setting up new powers of attorney.
Are you retirement ready?
We discuss the importance of having robust plans that meet your income needs throughout retirement and how we can help to be retirement ready.
Using a Power of Attorney to stay in control
A power of attorney can be valuable in financial planning. We highlight their benefits and how you can make sure that it is effective.
Facing a pension lifetime allowance charge
With the increasing threat of the lifetime allowance on pension savings, we look at the strategies available if your total pension savings exceed the lifetime allowance.
Understanding the impact of the pension lifetime allowance
In March, the Budget confirmed that the pension lifetime allowance, the cap on total pension savings, is frozen until April 2026. Oliver Elwiss gives an insight on strategies to help retirement planning with the lifetime allowance.
Is inflation coming over the hill?
Inflation has been at very low levels in recent times, but Adam Cato explains why the prospect of an increase in inflation needs to be reflected in financial planning.
State Pension increases for 2021/22
In advance of the Budget, the State Pension increases have been confirmed. John Daniels explains how the increases are calculated and highlights the need for retirement planning to provide the income you need in retirement.
Income drawdown – the need for financial advice
A recent review by the FCA has highlighted some concerns amongst investors who choose to use drawdown without financial advice. Leon Hunt reflects on these findings and how our advice service and reviews can help you to stay on track.
Scottish Budget Highlights 2021/22
Following the Scottish Budget announcement on Thursday 28 January, Martin Banerjee and our technical team highlight the key points that may impact our Scottish clients.
Looking ahead to the retirement you want
With the State Pension Age now increased to age 66 and more increases planned, Claire Houstin shares how we help our clients to plan for their retirement.
Put a spring in your finances for 2021
A new year means we are fast approaching the end of another tax year. Jamie Tough identifies some of the allowances and financial planning opportunities available before the end of this tax year.
Turning retirement hopes into reality
Robust financial planning for retirement helps many of our clients. Here’s why having a retirement plan is so important for everyone.
Dividends – The road to recovery
With the global impact on investment markets due to the pandemic, many UK funds have also suffered due to lower or even cancelled dividend payments, but reflecting on 2020 we can look ahead with some optimism.
What is the Spending Review?
The government’s Spending Review, announced on Wednesday 25 November by the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, provides a stark snapshot of the impact of the coronavirus on current public finances, as well as further details of planned expenditure on public services like the NHS, education, transport and the police.
Put your cash to work
Having emergency cash funds is one of the foundations for good financial planning. Simon Sharp encourages a review of cash savings, to make sure that they are working as hard as they can for you in times of low returns.