Almost 1 in 5 women are now the main household breadwinner Nearly one in five (17%) of women claim to be the main breadwinner in their relationship, according to new research commissioned by Scottish Widows to mark its 200th anniversary.

Spotlight firmly on people rolling over into the holding provider’s own annuity The Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) thematic review into annuity purchases has shone the spotlight firmly on people rolling over into the holding provider’s own annuity.

Positive impact on earnings, and a small positive impact on dividends Despite the so far rather negative response of equity markets, the oil price falls could be seen as a ‘shot in the arm’ for oil consuming economies, with many viewing the oil price decline as being deeply beneficial because it amounts to a reduction […]

Two thirds of over-50s plan to lengthen their working lives Nearly two thirds of over-50s workers would consider retraining so they could work longer in retirement, according to new research from MetLife.

Divergent monetary policies and growth trends could be key themes of 2015 The return of volatility – as valuations and investor complacency remain elevated – will make it vital for investors to consider hedging against downside risk and cut back on ‘me too’ investments this year, according to the BlackRock Investment Institute’s (BII) 2015 Investment […]

The picture of retirement income in the UK is not as bleak as some would like us to think A report has revealed those approaching retirement are expecting to receive £23,700 per year when they retire. The same survey shows that the average income in retirement today is currently just £19,000 – a shortfall of […]

Exposure to a range of assets through a single investment In performance terms, the attraction of investment trusts is consistently evident. They allow you to pool your money with that of other investors to get exposure to a range of assets through a single investment and are listed companies that issue a fixed number of […]

When was the last time you revisited your investment goals? It’s vital to know why you’re investing. The first step is to have a good think about your financial situation and your reasons for investing. Whatever your personal investment goal may be, it is important to set your time horizon at the outset, as this […]

Time is running out if you want to make the most of your tax-efficient savings allowance If you are keen to take advantage of the New Individual Savings Account (NISA) allowance, now increased to £15,000, and make the most of your tax-efficient savings, time is running out. You only have until 5 April to fully […]

Legally minimising or mitigating taxation on current and future tax liabilities before 6 April 2015 Tax planning is a very complex area covering many forms of tax. No one likes paying more tax than they legally have to, but one of the challenges of wealth is the high taxation it attracts. For some individuals the […]