magazine archive
magazine archive
Money Matters
What does the rise of ‘unretiring’ mean for pension planning?
Thursday 23 Nov 2017Retirement in the UK has traditionally involved stopping working at a set point in time – usually 60 or 65 – with a set amount of guaranteed income. This income would normally be in the form of a defined benefit (DB) pension or an annuity, perhaps with a smaller personal pension, such as a SIPP,...
Can I use my home to fund my retirement?
Thursday 23 Nov 2017The importance of getting on the housing ladder is so engrained in British society that many of us are putting it at the expense of other long-term savings needs. Surveys suggest a quarter of people over the age of 50 will rely on downsizing when they stop working and nearly half of 35 to 54 year-...
Dummies’ guide to compounding
Thursday 16 Nov 2017Compounding was once described by Albert Einstein as the eighth wonder of the world because of the seemingly magical way it can super-charge investment growth. We’ve compiled some figures and tables to show you how it works in practice. What is compounding? Compounding describes the process where...
Investment and pension planning when you remarry
Thursday 09 Nov 2017If you’re embarking on a second or subsequent marriage there are lots of important financial considerations to think about. You’ve probably built up more assets and you might have children from previous relationships, making your circumstances more complicated than they were the first time around...
HMRC repays £262m pension ‘super tax’ – how do I make a claim?
Thursday 09 Nov 2017If you’re looking to make the most out of the pension freedoms, managing withdrawals so you pay as little tax as possible is absolutely critical. A quarter of your pension pot can usually be withdrawn tax-free, with the remaining 75% taxed in the same way as income. This should be the case whether...
How much are you paying for your savings?
Thursday 02 Nov 2017‘When you took out your investment ISA, were any fees or charges involved?’ This is the question the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the City watchdog, asked over 500 investors who had taken out an investment in the last two years without taking regulated financial advice. Incredibly, almost...
Should I transfer my Help to Buy ISA to a Lifetime ISA?
Thursday 02 Nov 2017Investors who are saving up for their first home can now choose to transfer their Help to Buy ISA to the new Lifetime ISA. Each product has pros and cons which you need to weigh up before making the switch. Both types of ISA aim to help people get a foot on the property ladder by offering tax-free...
How September’s inflation figure could affect your finances
Thursday 26 Oct 2017The rise in the average price of goods and services, measured by the Consumer Prices Index ( CPI ), has a huge impact on savers and investors in the UK. For example, if you buy an annuity – a retirement policy which pays a guaranteed income for life – you can choose whether or not to lock inflation...
How and when to pick a financial adviser
Thursday 26 Oct 2017Getting financial advice can be a rewarding experience that may even save you money over the long run, but to get the most out of it you need to do your homework. The fees and type of service can vary considerably so it’s a good idea to attend your initial meeting armed with information and a list...
Unpicking the pensions death benefits rules
Thursday 19 Oct 2017Quick pop quiz question: What will happen to your personal pension when you die? a) It will automatically go to the Government b) It will form part of your estate and be distributed as per your will c) It will go automatically to the person you have nominated as the beneficiary of your pensions...