Category: All News

Holding a blend of assets to help you navigate the volatility of markets One of the most effective ways to manage investment risk is to spread your money across a range of assets that, historically, have tended to perform differently in the same circumstances. This is called ‘diversification’. In the most general sense, it can… Continue reading Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket

Report findings suggest this trend is set to continue Half of women (52%) are now saving adequately for their retirement compared to 60% of men, according to the latest Scottish Widows ‘Women & Retirement’ Report. But while this maintains the record high levels achieved in 2015, the gap between men and women has widened since… Continue reading Gender savings gap widens

Building a nest egg for when children need it The prospect of a child leaving home is scary enough for parents – and then there’s money to think about. Even if they get a student loan or find work, how will they be able to afford their first car or home? Parents and family often… Continue reading Financial futures

Make your next move to saving flexibly for a first home and retirement Lifetime Individual Savings Accounts are being launched by the Government to help 18–40-year-olds to save and invest flexibly for the long term. The aim is that people will not have to choose between saving for their first home and retirement. They can… Continue reading Lifetime Individual Savings Accounts

Taking advantage of opportunities in 2017 After a game-changing 2016, the investment environment was not only mixed but characterised by uneven global growth and political events such as Brexit and the US elections. Looking ahead, gradual repair of the global economy and greater political clarity in the USA should allow investors to take advantage of… Continue reading Investment outlook

Reduction to prevent inappropriate double tax relief Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, delivered his first and last Autumn Statement to Parliament on Wednesday 23 November 2016. He announced that the Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPAA), an annual amount individuals can contribute to defined contribution pensions after having previously accessed a pension flexibly, will be… Continue reading Money Purchase Annual Allowance

Keeping your taxes as low as possible – what you may wish to consider sooner rather than later The 2016/17 year end for tax planning purposes is now only a matter of months away, with the deadline approaching on 5 April. Effective tax planning is about knowing the personal and business taxes you are liable… Continue reading 2016/17 Year End Planning

When you are unable to make your own decisions More than two million Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) registrations will have been filed by the end of 2016, with the number of appointments more than trebling between 2010 and 2015. The figures from the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) were disclosed through a Freedom… Continue reading Delegating power

Helping you reach your long-term financial goals In the current economic climate, with interest rates still around record lows, investing in the markets could enable you to achieve an inflation-beating return and help you reach your long-term financial goals. If you’ve got sufficient money in your cash savings account – enough to cover you for… Continue reading Time to consider your investment options?

 Forecasting future variations in volatile investment returns To invest successfully, you have to navigate complex market forces, so it’s important to take a more rounded approach. Investors have much to think about when choosing and understanding investments; in particular, market volatility and the impact it can have on your investment. Extreme market volatility during the… Continue reading Capturing the upside