ARE YOU CLAIMING ALL OF THE GENEROUS TAX RELIEF YOU’RE ENTITLED TO? The unique combination of tax breaks and flexible access available to pensions make them a compelling choice when saving for retirement. One of the key benefits of saving into a pension rather than another type of savings or investment vehicle is the generous tax relief you’re entitled to receive. Making the most of pension saving involves maximising tax relief and allowances which could substantially boost your retirement savings….

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UNDERSTANDING THE WARNING SIGNS TO KEEP YOUR MONEY SAFE Being online more means criminals have a greater opportunity to approach unsuspecting victims with their scams. Online scams can have a devastating financial and emotional impact on victims. Pension scammers are bombarding the public with scam calls, texts and emails and it can be easy to fall victim to such a scam. Anyone thinking about making an investment should always do their research first, visit the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) website…

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PLANNING TO ACHIEVE YOUR RETIREMENT GOALS SOONER Are you ‘mid or late career’ or planning to retire within ten years? If the answer’s ‘yes’, then you probably want to know the answers to these questions: Will I be able to retire when I want to? Will I run out of money? How can I guarantee the kind of retirement I want? But, for many different reasons, planning for retirement is a commonly overlooked aspect of personal financial planning and this…

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SHARING YOUR WEALTH DURING YOUR LIFETIME CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE With all of us leading longer lives, you might be considering how you can help your family when it matters most. Sharing your wealth during your lifetime can make a big difference and bring you a lot of joy, particularly when helping younger generations who are dealing with rising house prices and university fees. After you’ve determined how much you can afford to give, there’s a simple starting point….

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HOW TO STAY WITHIN THE LIMIT TO AVOID A TAX CHARGE If you’ve been diligently saving into a pension throughout your working life, you should be entitled to feel confident about your retirement. But, unfortunately, the best savers sometimes find themselves inadvertently breaching their pension lifetime allowance (LTA) and being charged an additional tax that erodes their savings. If you are a high-income earner or wealthy individual, you could be putting too much into your lifetime pension and risk exceeding…

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Inheritance Tax is payable in the UK on death, and sometimes when you give away certain assets during your lifetime.  It can be a great concern for individuals with wealth exceeding the current £325,000 nil-rate band (2020/21 tax year). Naturally, you’ll want to pass on as much as possible to your loved ones, rather than paying 40% to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).  Are you worried your family could be left with an Inheritance Tax bill after you’re gone? HERE…

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ACHIEVING YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS THROUGH INVESTING, AND ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL Even as we hope to put the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the rearview mirror in 2021, uncertainty regarding both the virus and Brexit is likely to continue to weigh on the UK and global economies as well as on our personal finances during this year. While we hope volatility is less elevated this year, financial markets and the economy could still remain at the mercy of COVID-19…

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At the start of every year we have great intentions, as financial promises are renewed. Getting our financial life in order will be a top priority for many as we enter 2021. Consider focusing on two key areas: goals related to being prepared for the unexpected this year, and those related to what you want to be different at the end of the year. 10 AREAS TO CONSIDER WHEN SETTING NEW YEAR FINANCIAL GOALS New Year’s resolutions can be notoriously…

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Giving up the 9-to-5 doesn’t necessarily mean stopping work. Many people are now considering staggered or flexible working. It can suit some individuals who have caring responsibilities or health issues, or those thinking about retiring in the next few years. When you picture yourself in your golden years, are you sitting on a beach, hitting the golf course or working behind a desk? For many people of retirement age, continuing to work makes perfect sense. UNSETTLING PERIOD Several decades ago,…

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While the number of couples divorcing has decreased in recent years [1], with 91,299 cases in 2018 compared to 102,007 in 2017, the cohort of couples deciding to split in later life is on the rise. Also, pre-pandemic divorce valuations could have changed by as much as 30%, which may lead to some people receiving unfair settlements if valuations are not updated [2]. What’s the reason for the boom in socalled ‘silver splitters’? Some suggest that as lifestyles have improved…

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