How to prepare your portfolio for inflation
Very low or very high inflation is damaging to the economy. The aim is usually to try and keep the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) at 2% in order to maintain a ‘Goldilocks Economy’ – not too hot, not too cold. Continue reading →

Don’t ignore the corrosive impact rising prices can have on your investments
Inflation is an economy-wide sustained trend of increasing prices from one year to the next. The rate of inflation is important as it represents the rate at which the real value of savings and an investment is eroded and the loss in spending power over time. Inflation also tells investors exactly how much of a return their investments need to make for them to maintain their standard of living. Continue reading →

Spreading risk by accessing different types of assets
Investing for the long term means persisting through market swings. History shows that when people invest and stay invested, they’re more likely to earn positive returns in the long run. When markets start to fluctuate, it may be tempting to make financial decisions in reaction to changes to your portfolio. Continue reading →

Over six million adults refuse to discuss their Will with loved ones
Making a Will is very important if you care what happens to your money and your belongings after you die, and most of us do. But have you tried to talk with your parents about their Will? If that conversation isn’t happening, you’re not alone. Continue reading →

Breach may impact on more than a million workers
An estimated 1.25 million people are set to breach the current lifetime allowance (LTA) limit of £1.055 million for pension tax relief over the course of their working life, according to new research published[1]. The LTA is a limit on the amount of pension benefit that can be drawn from pension schemes – whether lump sums or retirement income – and can be paid without triggering an extra tax charge. Continue reading →

Half a million workers past pension age could be paying unnecessary tax
A significant number of people working past the State Pension age could be paying unnecessary tax on their State Pension, according to new research[1]. This is because they failed to take up the option of deferring their State Pension until they stopped work. As a result, their entire State Pension is being taxed, in some cases at 40%. Continue reading →

No longer something that only affects the very wealthy
Inheritance Tax is no longer something that only affects the very wealthy, but the good news is that there are ways to limit the amount of Inheritance Tax your family may potentially face. When someone dies, Inheritance Tax is charged on their estate above a certain value. A person’s estate is basically everything they own, including their main property, any other properties, cars, boats, life assurance policies not written in an appropriate trust and other investments, as well as personal effects such as jewellery. Continue reading →

Time, patience and making informed decisions
Making sense of today’s market headwinds and building a diverse portfolio should be key priorities for all investors. Whether you have a lump sum to invest or want to invest regularly each month, it’s important to know your money is working hard for you. Continue reading →

The key changes you need to know
You want to pay the minimum amount of tax legally possible. We want that for you, too. The 2019/20 tax year started on 6 April, and in general taxpayers will have more money in their pocket after increases to allowances came into force, but there are a few losers, in particular those selling shares and buy-to-let landlords. Continue reading →

Taking a closer look at what you’re spending as a family can help make significant savings
It will not be too long before spring is finally upon us, and those winter months (even though we’ve had a really mild winter) will start to become a distant memory. But with spring comes a new tax year – the 2019/20 tax year is just around the corner. Continue reading →