Since the 2008 financial crisis, greater legal restrictions on mortgage lenders have made it considerably harder to apply for a mortgage loan. No longer is it possible simply to walk into a bank with your most recent payslips and expect approval. These days, you need to go to more considerable lengths to not only prove […]
Broadly speaking there are at least three types of pensions available to UK citizens: The state pension Workplace pensions Personal pensions The first two are fairly straightforward. Your state pension is money handed to you from the government once you reach your state pension age (which can vary for each person), whilst your workplace pension […]
Across the UK, millions of people in their fifties and sixties are waking up to the painful consequences of a “mid-life crisis” in savings. With wages failing to grow substantially and living costs rising, many are sleepwalking towards an uncomfortable or even impoverished retirement. Some research even suggests that as many as one in five […]
The UK State Pension pays out no more than £113 per week. In today’s economic climate, this is insufficient to meet the costs of living, including groceries, heating, utilities and clothing. One way to demonstrate this is to look at the Consumer Price Index. In June this year, for example, the CPI rose by a […]
With the festive season and 2015 fast approaching, it is essential that we recognise the fact that as a result of the 2014 Budget, enhanced by the recent Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, pension schemes are reinforced as the most flexible and tax efficient savings method for an individual and for those who benefit on his/her death. […]
Remember the Allied Dunbar TV campaign shown around ten years ago “There may be trouble ahead?” The campaign used a series of family situations where people have to re-plan their lives because something unexpected happens. “Let’s face the music and dance“. A decade later, it appears that far too many people are still not protecting […]
Did you know there are only 35 working days until fixed protection 2014 applications close. With just under 2 months until the Lifetime Allowance (LTA) is cut to £1.25m on 5th April, time is running out to discuss, plan and implement a solution for those approaching, or who are at this level of pension funding […]
When we sit down with clients to discuss what they seek from their savings and investments it is not surprising that many are looking for certainty and peace of mind as well as a reasonable return. Going back 4-5 years ago the natural response was to take a trip down to the local high street […]