Cashing in on alternatives in 2014

Taking a step up the risk ladder means assessing your appetite for risk

It has been a torrid time for cash savers over the past five years. The Bank of England Base Rate has been on hold at its 300-year low of 0.5% since March 2009. Although there have been murmurings of a possible rise in interest rates on the horizon, savers should still explore all the options available to generate a return from their savings.

Desperately Seeking income

Yields have dropped across the asset classes, except
for equities

He may only have been in the job for just over six months, but Mark Carney, the Governor of the Bank of England, has already signalled his intention to do things differently and this is most noticeable in his concept of ‘forward guidance’.

Will you be affected by the impending new lifetime allowance limit changes

Thousands of pension savers could be impacted by unless they act swiftly

If you are making high levels of pension contributions you will need to obtain professional financial advice to make sure that you know whether you will be affected by the impending new lifetime allowance (LTA) limit changes. Thousands of pension savers could be impacted by the forthcoming changes unless they act swiftly.

Will you enjoy your retirement?

How to improve your golden years no matter what your current stage of life

Retirement may seem a long way off for you at the moment but that doesn’t mean you should forget about it. Consider our tips, which could help you increase your retirement income – no matter what your current stage of life – and pursue the retirement you envision.

What to consider if you are approaching your retirement

Sooner or later we will retire, and the decisions we make today are the ones that will determine the standard of living we will enjoy in the future. If you are approaching your retirement there are some very important choices you need to make that will determine how much income you live on once retired.

Minimising potential taxes and duties on your death

IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO YOUR PENSION FUNDS, ALLOWING YOU TO TAKE OUT WHAT YOU WANT, WHEN YOU WANT IT

As your wealth grows, it is inevitable that your estate becomes more complex. Money saved via a pension can be passed on to a loved one, usually outside their estate and free of any death tax, provided the pension fund has not been touched and they die before age 75. People fortunate enough not to need immediate access to their personal pension may therefore decide not to touch those savings for as long as possible.