Money invested into a pension receives tax relief. That means your pension contributions (subject to limits set by the government) are increased by the percentage amount of your income tax bracket. So, a non- or a basic-rate taxpayer only has to pay 80 pence for each £1 that is invested in their pension (an uplift… Continue reading Pensions
Category: Financial News
Helping you maximise your retirement income
Why your annuit ywill have to last you for longer An annuity is an investment which will pay you an income for the rest of your life, no matter how long you live. This is achieved by handing over your pension fund to an insurance company in return for an annuity when you retire. The… Continue reading Helping you maximise your retirement income
Investment distribution bonds
Distribution bonds are intended to provide income with minimal affects on your original investment. They attempt to ensure that any tax-free returns, up to 5 per cent and usually in the form of dividends, do not greatly reduce your original investment, thereby providing the opportunity for future long-term growth. They also combine two different asset… Continue reading Investment distribution bonds
How the taxman treats investments
Different investments are subject to different tax treatment. The following is based on our understanding, as at 6 April 2011, of current taxation, legislation and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) practice, all of which are subject to change without notice. The impact of taxation (and any tax relief) depends on individual circumstances. Unnecessary tax on… Continue reading How the taxman treats investments
Estate planning requires a strong foundation and a clear plan of action
Have you made sure your beneficiaries will be looked after? Estate planning should start early in life and is for everyone, not just the very wealthy. It is about ensuring control of your estate and planning ahead so there are no uncertainties about how it is managed in the future. Minimise the effect of tax… Continue reading Estate planning requires a strong foundation and a clear plan of action
Navigating the pensions landscape
The future is always unknown, but when it comes to retirement it pays to be in the know The end of the tax year is fast approaching and marks a significant period of pension change as a result of the Finance Act 2011. The future is always unknown, but when it comes to retirement it… Continue reading Navigating the pensions landscape
Expected retirement incomes hit five-year low
Taking some practical steps now could mean a more comfortable retirement People retiring in 2012 expect to live on an average annual income of £15,500 – over £1,000 a year less (6 per cent) than those who retired in 2011. The figures come from Prudential’s unique Class of 2012 research, which provides insights into the… Continue reading Expected retirement incomes hit five-year low
The principal tenets of spreading risk in your portfolio
A change in the calendar does nothing to change the investment outlook One of the principal tenets of spreading risk in your portfolio is to diversify your investments whatever the time of year. Diversification is the process of investing in areas that have little or no relation to each other. This is called a ‘low… Continue reading The principal tenets of spreading risk in your portfolio
Why end-of-tax-year planning should now be high on your agenda
Proper tax and financial planning can lower and defer the tax you pay A review of your financial and tax planning to maximise your net income and your business and family assets should now be high on your agenda prior to the tax-year end on 5 April 2012. Proper tax and financial planning could lower… Continue reading Why end-of-tax-year planning should now be high on your agenda
Are you getting closer to retirement?
Being able to retire when and how you want to Making your savings grow and being able to retire when and how you want to is likely to be one of your most important financial objectives, but achieving this goal requires planning and perseverance. The closer you get to retiring, the greater the need to… Continue reading Are you getting closer to retirement?
