Choosing the right type of cover ‘Single life’ policies cover just one person. A ‘joint life’ policy covers two people, and when one person on the policy dies the money is paid out and the policy ends. You will need to decide whether the joint policy pays out on first or second death as this […]

Providing a financial safety net for your loved ones Getting the right life insurance policy means working out how much money you need to protect your dependants. This sum must take into account their living costs, as well as any outstanding debts such as a mortgage. It may be the case that not everyone needs […]

Existing commitments re-examined in post-Brexit climate During the referendum campaign, the Prime Minister, David Cameron, said the so-called ‘triple lock’ for state pensions would be threatened by a UK Brexit. In their 2015 election manifesto, the Conservatives promised to extend the triple lock on state pensions – a guarantee that they rise every year until 2020 by […]

Maintaining a long-term perspective is the key to investment success As was widely predicted, a vote to leave the EU wiped billions off companies’ share prices. Low interest rates and volatile stock markets are likely to be the order of the day for the foreseeable future, and any rise in interest rates would be good […]

No laws have changed A week before the EU referendum, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, warned that a vote to leave the EU might result in tax increases too. He spoke about a 2p rise on the basic tax rate (currently 20p in the pound) and a 3p rise in the higher rate (currently 40p). He […]

Will the Bank of England cut interest rates? Before the EU referendum vote, the Treasury predicted a vote for Brexit would mean a rise of between 0.7% and 1.1% in borrowing costs. The Prime Minister, David Cameron, claimed the average cost of a mortgage could increase by up to £1,000 a year.

For the UK to leave the European Union, it has to invoke an agreement called Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. The Prime Minister, David Cameron, announced on Friday 24 June he would be stepping down as prime minister by October, and he or his successor will need to decide when to invoke Article 50 which […]

One of the most important relationships you may ever have Few people really have the time to understand the significant number of financial products on the market at any time. If you’re looking to invest, buy a protection product or plan for the longer term, expert professional financial advice is essential to help enable you […]

Getting your pension in shape to enjoy the kind of lifestyle you want in later life ‘Will I be able to afford the retirement lifestyle I want?’ is a question that many people ask but struggle to figure out. There are many ways to assess your likely income in retirement and work out how much […]

Investment company growth story of the decade Over a third of the investment trust company sector is invested in alternative assets suggests research from the association of investment companies (AIC). The term ‘alternative’ is used to cover many other types of investments that are not traded on stock markets. These might include the shares in […]