Helping you to look after and maintain your wealth in the most efficient way

If you are UK domiciled, Inheritance Tax (IHT) is currently charged at 40 per cent and is payable on your estate once your net assets exceed £325,000. For some married couples and registered civil partners, any unused percentage of the available allowance from the estate of the first to pass away may be claimed when the second spouse dies. Once the domain of the super-rich, wide-scale home ownership and rising property values have meant that more and more people need to implement an estate preservation strategy to protect their wealth. Read the rest of this entry »

What would you do
if you lost your job tomorrow?

30 per cent of working adults think they would be able to find another job of a similar level and pay within six months Read the rest of this entry »

Financial challenges facing Britain’s young adults

Skandia’s study about the roads to wealth for Britain’s youth highlights the financial challenges many young adults experience as they move away from home to establish themselves as independent individuals. Read the rest of this entry »

An opportunity to potentially improve tax-efficiency

rawdown is the main alternative to a secure annuity income. It is more flexible than an annuity but is also more complex and higher risk. Figures from Skandia (08 July 2013) show only one third (35 per cent) of people in drawdown are actually taking their full income allowance. Read the rest of this entry »

New individual protection rules introduced

New rules announced by HM Revenue & Customs provide people with large pension savings the flexibility to continue to receive valuable employer contributions to their pension. Read the rest of this entry »

Risk is an implicit aspect to investing

If you are going to invest you need to be prepared to take some calculated risk in the hope of greater reward. Risk is an implicit aspect to investing: shares can fall, economic conditions can change and companies can experience varying trading fortunes. Read the rest of this entry »

A very difficult time for your health and your wealth

The diagnosis of a serious illness can mean a very difficult time for your health and your wealth. But critical illness cover can provide vital financial security when you need it most. Most homebuyers purchase life assurance when they arrange a mortgage, but overlook critical illness cover, another form of financial protection that we are statistically more likely to need before reaching retirement. Read the rest of this entry »

Are you benefiting financially from your marital status?

Tying the knot does bring financial advantages. Tax and pensions are probably the least romantic reasons for getting married, but there are a number of ways to benefit from your marital status. Read the rest of this entry »

Leaving your property and possessions to your loved ones

There are compelling financial and emotional reasons for making a will. But why do so many of us shy away from it? Read the rest of this entry »

Housing and fuel costs are the largest single expense

T he figures show that household costs fluctuate over time, with annual costs peaking at £45,000 when the head of the household is aged between 30 and 49, reflecting the costs of raising children. Read the rest of this entry »