Lump sum vs regular pension contributions; which is better?
Lump sum vs regular pension contributions Pension plans are one of the best ways to save for the long term. For starters, you get pension tax relief on your contributions. This means that you get a top up from the government, so it effectively costs you less to save more. In addition to that, your […]
Is a SIPP better than a personal pension?
Are SIPPs better than personal pensions? The answer to whether a SIPP is better than a personal pension, relies on so many factors. In this article, we discuss a number of considerations, differences between the two alternatives and offer insights into SIPPs vs personal pensions. When it comes to retirement planning, the choice between a […]
How good is your workplace pension?
How good is your workplace pension? If you’re employed in the UK (as opposed to self-employed) you should be auto-enrolled into a workplace pension unless you’ve chosen to opt out. But although auto-enrolment is a good thing, it’s not an excuse to sit back and take no further interest in your pension. Many people I […]
How much money will I need to retire on?
How much money will I need to retire? The question we often come across when talking to a new customer is ‘how much money will I need to retire on’? Most people would agree that a lottery winning of a million would be very nice indeed. Some would however argue that a million wasn’t anywhere […]
How will climate change affect your pension?
How will climate change affect your pension? Have you ever looked under the bonnet of your personal or company pension or stocks and shares ISA to see how your money is invested? I’m not talking about how much you have in the UK, Europe, Asia or Emerging Markets. I am talking about delving deeper and […]
Helping elderly relatives and you plan for the future (part 3)
In the previous 2 notes in this series we have discussed the basic assistance required help an elderly person manage their finances, plus a couple of different options to help pay for their care. Today I wanted to discuss more tax planning around inheritance tax. Last week the Government announced that revenues from inheritance tax […]
Helping elderly relatives and you plan for the future (part 2)
Caring for elderly relatives is a highly stressful time. As it happens to virtually all of us at some point in our lives, there are certain decisions you can make today to make life easier for both you and your relatives or parents. Previously we discussed the importance of making sure wills and powers of […]
Helping elderly relatives and you plan for the future (Part 1)
Watching someone you love get older can be a very difficult experience, but also one that we all will inevitably go through at some point in our lives. It certainly can have its challenges and sometimes thinking about the financial side is the last aspect anyone wants to discuss. In this series I’d like to […]
What is your magic number?
What is your magic number (to retire on)? “How much money do I need to retire?” is quite possibly the most common question I am asked by clients. Need? What exactly does “need” mean? By “need” do people mean the bare essentials such as heating, council tax and beans on toast on the table? Or […]
A guide to equity release
A guide to equity release – by Daniel Mayman We find that the majority of people in need of care would much rather remain in the comfort and familiarity of their own home to receive it. However, if you find that the level of your income or savings are insufficient to pay for this, are […]
