January 2015 (29 articles)

: 09 January 2015; Categories: Uncategorized

Report shows the proportion of people preparing adequately for retirement is on the up

The number of women saving adequately for retirement has shifted from a record low to a four-year high in the last 12 months, according to Scottish Widows’ annual Women and Retirement Report.

: 09 January 2015; Categories: Uncategorized

Providing financial support for adult offspring – what are the implications?

Parents with adult children living under their roof are spending £1,200[1] more than their Empty Nester counterparts each year on everyday household expenditure, bringing the total annual cost of ‘Full Nest Syndrome’ in the UK to £3.2 billion[2].

: 09 January 2015; Categories: investment, News, Wealth Creation

During difficult economic times, one of the tools available to the Bank of England to stimulate the economy is interest rates. Lower interest rates mean that it is cheaper to borrow money and people have more to spend, hopefully stimulating the economy and reducing the risk of deflation.

: 09 January 2015; Categories: investment, News, Wealth Creation

An investment bond is a single premium life insurance policy and is a potentially tax-efficient way of holding a range of investment funds in one place. They can be a good way of allowing you to invest in a mixture of investment funds that are managed by professional investment managers.

: 09 January 2015; Categories: Uncategorized

Many people do not yet fully understand the significance of the new retirement income choices

Many of Britain’s over-55s say the massive changes to retirement income announced in last year’s Budget 2014 will have no impact on them, research from Aviva’s latest Real Retirement Report shows.

: 09 January 2015; Categories: Uncategorized

12 strategies to keep your tax liability to a legal minimum

The run-up to the tax year end on 5 April 2015 is the perfect time to consider tax planning opportunities and to put in place strategies to minimise tax throughout 2015/16.

: 09 January 2015; Categories: Uncategorized

New workers face a significantly longer working life than past generations

The typical Briton entering the workforce today can expect to have nine jobs, including one major career change, across 48 years of working[1].

: 09 January 2015; Categories: Uncategorized

The key announcements at a glance

Chancellor George Osborne delivered his Autumn Statement 2014 to Parliament on 3 December last year. Much of the commentary focused on weak public sector finances data in the context of strong GDP and employment growth.

: 09 January 2015; Categories: Uncategorized

The freedom to do as much or as little as you want with your pension

Within the next decade, nearly half of those people (44%) due to retire will require professional financial advice to help them make financial choices, according to research[1] published by insurer Zurich.

: 09 January 2015; Categories: Uncategorized

Take your pension to the max

Pensions have long been seen as a tax-efficient form of investment. The contributions that you pay into your pension will benefit from tax relief and aren’t subject to tax while they’re invested in your pension pot (although the tax credit paid with dividends can’t be reclaimed by your pension scheme). Contributions to your employer’s pension scheme (including any additional voluntary contributions you make) can be made from your gross pay before any tax is charged.

From 6 April 2015, there will be no restrictions on how much income you can withdraw from your defined contribution pension pot, but any income that is withdrawn (and it is possible to withdraw your whole remaining pension pot in one go) may be subject to income tax.