magazine archive
magazine archive
Money Matters
Should I pay for expert financial advice on my pension?
Thursday 28 Jun 2018Is it worth paying for financial advice? I was asked this very important question several times after presenting at the recent Retirement Money Show event in London, with many people unsure how best to make use of the pension freedoms. The answer depends on your own personal circumstances and...
Seven essential points to get the most out of Lifetime ISAs
Thursday 28 Jun 2018Those using the new Lifetime ISA to save for their first home or retirement need to make sure they aren’t caught out by complicated small print that could lead to delays, admin headaches and potentially their home purchase being stalled. The Lifetime ISA was launched last year, and allows those...
The pros and cons of investing in the same things every month
Thursday 28 Jun 2018Investors often have the best intentions when it comes to their portfolios but topping up an ISA or other investment account can easily slip down your list of priorities. Fortunately, setting up a regular investment plan can get you into good habits with none of the hassle. Investment websites...
Are you spending too little in retirement?
Thursday 21 Jun 2018How much of your pension pot should you spend in retirement? If you’re intending to remain invested through drawdown in your later years, this question should be front-and-centre as you plan your retirement income strategy. We’ve previously discussed the potentially deleterious impact a combination...
How to track down lost pensions and should you consolidate them?
Thursday 21 Jun 2018The typical UK adult is now set to work for 11 different companies over the course of their career. The concept of a job for life is a rare one these days and, as a result, workers will tend to accumulate several smaller pension pots over their working life rather than just one. Keeping track of...
How to avoid the buy-to-let crackdown
Thursday 21 Jun 2018The buy-to-let sector has faced a crackdown in recent years, with successive Government policies making it harder for landlords to make a profit. Particularly hit are so-called ‘dinner party’ landlords, who have one or two rental properties. In the past two years the Government has increased stamp...
High-earners face last chance to net £40,000 annual allowance
Thursday 14 Jun 2018It might not feel like it, but the average rate of tax paid in the UK is actually falling. According to the latest Government data, the Treasury is set to inhale a mind-boggling £185bn from income tax receipts in 2018/19, up marginally from the £178bn it collected in 2015/16. But the average...
The popular ways for grandparents to invest for their grandchildren
Thursday 14 Jun 2018Grandparents looking to set money aside for their grandchildren have a wealth of options available to them. From Junior ISAs to children’s pensions and even Premium Bonds, there are a number of ways to help young relatives to start saving. Among the most popular are Junior ISAs, which were...
Pension savers risk double jeopardy with bank account withdrawals
Thursday 07 Jun 2018A staggering £17.5bn has been withdrawn flexibly from savers’ retirement pots since the pension freedoms launched in April 2015. But how are people spending it? To find out, AJ Bell surveyed 370 people who have used the flexibilities – which allow you to spend your pension as you like from age 55...
What to do with the cash windfall from downsizing
Thursday 07 Jun 2018There are a great many reasons that people choose to downsize their house: reducing running costs, feeling that the family home is now too big and, very often, to free up vital funds for retirement. The average UK house price grew by 4.2% to £224,144 in the year to March, according to the Office...