One of the most tax-efficient ways of saving for retirement

If you want the freedom to manage your own investments that will enable you to achieve your retirement goals, a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) could be an option for you to consider. A SIPP is a pension ‘wrapper’ that holds investments until you retire and start to draw a retirement income. It is a type of personal pension and works in a similar way to a standard personal pension. The main difference is that with a SIPP, you have more flexibility with the investments you can choose. Read more…

Overvalued Chinese shares come to a shuddering halt after hitting a seven-year peak

In August, the Chinese Government attempted to stimulate the economy by devaluing its currency (the Renminbi) and suspending trading on many stocks. The effect of this caused a tsunami throughout both Chinese and global markets, followed by significant falls in global stock markets, including the S&P in the US and the FTSE in the UK. On 24 August, the day many in the media called ‘Black Monday’, the Chinese market was down by 8%, UK markets fell by over 4.5% and the US by over 3.5%[1], with the FTSE falling below 6,000 on 22 September. Read more…

Give your children or grandchildren a financial present they can unwrap

With Christmas just round the corner, making an investment for your children or grandchildren is a great way to give them a financial start in life, long after the festivities are over. Even small amounts can really add up if you save regularly from a child’s birth, and there are many ways to invest on behalf of a child. Read more…

Reaping the benefits of workplace pension savings

Three years have passed since the introduction of auto enrolment, and employees are really starting to reap the benefits of workplace pension savings. New research has revealed that employer contributions are crucial to boosting pension savings for over half (54%) of those enrolled in a defined contribution pension scheme in the UK. Read more…

Long-term investors rewarded by compound performance

An investor who puts money aside over the long term for the proverbial rainy day is far more likely to achieve their goals than someone looking to ‘play the market’ in search of a quick profit. Read more…

New possibilities in retirement, and the options available to you

The recent pension freedoms have opened up new possibilities in retirement, allowing more of today’s recent retirees to enjoy the sixty-something socialite lifestyle. Retirement can be one of the most liberating and exciting life stages, but to get the most freedom and enjoyment out of retirement, it is crucial for people to consider their finances and plan ahead. Read more…

A tax-efficient integral part of your investment strategy

It’s not going to be long before we see the arrival of the New Year, and with it the start of the ISA (Individual Savings Account) season. The 2015/16 deadline on 5 April 2016 is when you need to have taken full advantage of this year’s ISA allowance. Read more…

Older workers delaying retirement to release cash from their savings

One in four older workers could delay retirement after dipping into their pension pot, new research from Zurich shows. Read more…

If you couldn’t work due to a serious illness, how would you manage?

No one likes to think that something bad will happen to them. If you couldn’t work due to a serious illness, how would you manage? Could you survive on savings or sick pay from work? If not, you may need some other way to keep paying the bills – and you might want to consider income protection insurance. Currently, 10.8 million UK households are at risk of their income falling by at least a third if the main earner stopped working due to ill health[1]. Read more…

UK parents believe university is now unaffordable for most

Many UK parents will now be reviewing how they will help their children pay for a university degree. With tuition fees alone costing an average £9,000 a year, university is a significant investment for both parents and students. Read more…