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Trust in your future

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 shares quoted on a stock market, such as the London Stock Exchange.

Influencing factors to managing your future wealth

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 will impact on the type of investments you should consider to help achieve your goals. It also makes sense to revisit your investment goals at regular intervals to account for any changes to your personal circumstances.

NISA Countdown

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 utilise your 2014/15 NISA allowance, after which it will be lost forever.

Wealth attraction

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 need for specialist professional advice has never been greater. With the current tax year end rapidly approaching, we’ve provided some tax planning areas for you to consider before 6 April 2015.

New landscape for later-life planning

Making informed decisions about how to best use your savings and manage your income in retirement

More than one in four Britons (27%) expect to come under pressure to lend their family money from unlocked retirement pots when the new pension freedoms are introduced from 6 April this year, according to latest research from the Centre for the Modern Family.

Maximising your income levels in retirement

Why having a target in mind clearly makes a difference to fund this stage of your life

A recently published report has highlighted the positive impact planning and professional financial advice can have on income levels in our retirement. The first Retirement Income Uncovered report from Old Mutual Wealth found that retirees who hadn’t set themselves an income target to aim for in retirement had an average income of £17,500 per year. However, those who saw a financial adviser at least once have an average income in retirement of £20,800.

Pension freedoms – what could they mean to you?

Accessing your pension safely, without unnecessary costs and a potential tax bill

With the biggest pension reforms in a lifetime rapidly approaching on 6 April, are you ready for how these reforms could potentially affect you, whether now or in the future? The wide media coverage that followed the 2014 Budget announcements talked of pensions in the future being used as bank accounts and new pension freedoms leading to long waiting lists for Lamborghinis.

‘Midlife crisis’

Baby boomers are some of the least prepared for retirement

A recent survey has revealed the concerning fact that 40% of baby boomers, those aged 55 to 74, have not started to save specifically for retirement yet, despite two-thirds of respondents understanding the State Pension will not be sufficient.

Income withdrawal

Interim rules from 27 March 2014

Unlike a conventional personal pension, which is used to build up a pension fund until a chosen retirement age is reached, income drawdown is used to pay an income once someone decides to retire or semi-retire. The remainder of their fund remains invested, rather than using it to buy an annuity.

Tax-free lump sum on death

Freedom to pass on an unused defined contribution pension

People with defined contribution pension savings will no longer have to worry about their pension savings being taxed at 55% on death. Commencing from 6 April 2015, individuals will have the freedom to pass on their unused defined contribution pension to any nominated beneficiary when they die, rather than paying the 55% tax charge which currently applies to pensions passed on at death.