Pension transfers can be complicated and you should always seek professional financial advice before proceeding. Much will depend upon your individual circumstances and objectives. Continue reading “Pension transfers”
Every business has key people who are driving it forward. Many businesses recognise the need to insure their company property, equipment and fixed assets. However, they continually overlook their most important assets, the people who drive the business – a key employee, director or shareholder. Continue reading “Protecting business continuity”
Investing offshore may appeal to anyone who plans to live overseas, travels extensively, or wishes to look outside of their ‘home’ country for investment opportunities. Depending on where you reside, there will be various options available to you. Perhaps you already have money offshore and are looking to receive a better return; or you maybe you are planning to move abroad. Continue reading “Investing offshore”
Deciding how to take your pension benefits is one of the most important financial decisions you’re ever likely to make. As part of the new 2011 retirement rules, from 6 April this year the pension annuity rules will change, meaning that UK pensioners will no longer be forced to use personal pension funds to buy an annuity. Continue reading “Drawing your pension income”
During these 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. This is why the Bank of England has aggressively cut them. Continue reading “Making the most of your investments”
Having the correct protection strategy in place will enable you to protect your family’s lifestyle if your income suddenly changes due to premature death or illness. But choosing the right options can be difficult without obtaining professional advice to ensure you protect your family from financial hardship. Continue reading “How much life insurance do you need?”
When deciding whether to invest, it is important that any investment vehicle matches your feelings and preferences in relation to investment risk and return. Hence your asset allocation needs to be commensurate with your attitude to risk. Another key question to ask yourself is: “How comfortable would I be facing a short term loss in order to have the opportunity to make long term gains?” If your answer is that you are not prepared to take any risk whatsoever, then investing in the stock market is not for you. Continue reading “Asset allocation”
Unit trusts are a collective investment scheme that enables you to invest money with others and participate in a wider range of investments and share the costs and benefits of doing so. They have proved popular over the years because cash is invested in a broad spread of shares, thus reducing the risk of losing money if the market falls. Continue reading “Unit trust groups”
In order to protect family and loved ones, it is essential to have provisions in place after you’re gone. The easiest way to prevent unnecessary tax payments such as Inheritance Tax (IHT) is to organise your tax affairs by obtaining professional advice and having a valid Will in place to ensure that your legacy does not involve just leaving a large IHT bill for your loved ones. Continue reading “Keeping your wealth in the family”
