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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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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Entrusting an adviser with your life savings or your children’s inheritance, without any shadow of a doubt, is a decision that most people do not take lightly, and certainly not without carrying out some level of due diligence.  Often a referral is how many find themselves working with the adviser, but there are lots of people who essentially need to ‘start from scratch’ and rely on other resources, such as the internet to find their adviser. The internet is a…

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This is a question asked by many as often it’s difficult to see the value of financial advice, until you’ve experienced this for yourself.  There’s no doubt in my mind that working with a financial adviser can offer a number of benefits, and there are a number of reasons I can think of where it’s worth considering working with a financial adviser, including: We don’t always know what we don’t know.  We are tempted to follow the crowd. Individual investors…

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Whilst the measures the government put in place to manage the impacts of Covid were necessary, and benefited a number of us, a question many of us is now asking is ”where will the government start in seeking to recoup the £190 Billion[1] of support it has given the economy to steer it through lockdown and beyond?” My bet is there may be a hike in capital gains tax, and there are a number of occurrences that have led me…

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Whether you have earned your wealth, inherited it or made shrewd investments, you will want to ensure that as little of it as possible ends up in the hands of the taxman and that it can be enjoyed by you, your family and your intended beneficiaries. What are your wishes? Without an appropriate estate plan, if you pass away, your family may end up spending a substantial amount of time and money battling over your assets – and no one…

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