What the election result might mean for your money
The election result was a major surprise in many quarters. On the news that the UK had a hung parliament, the FTSE100 rose whilst the pound fell back. Theresa May was left looking for political allies to form a government. An alliance was quickly proposed with Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party, meaning that she could […]
Exploring the benefits of saving regularly
As an investor, sometimes it’s hard to cut through the noise of bygone or upcoming political and economic events, we’ve certainly had our fair share lately. There are always investment opportunities, even in times of uncertainty. The benefits of saving regularly make a compelling long-term investment story. Not only does regular investment suit some people’s […]
Why the self-employed need a pension nudge
Working for yourself has never been so popular. According to figures from the Office for National Statistics, there are around 4.8 million self-employed workers in the UK. Whilst many of this number are young people seizing the opportunity to go it alone, some are in their 50s, 60s and even 70s. Being your own boss […]
Government U-Turn on probate
When the general election was announced, one of the measures immediately put on hold was the proposed increase in probate fees. The planned fee structure would have meant that estates valued up to £50,000 wouldn’t have incurred a fee, whilst those worth more than £2m would have been faced with fees of £20,000. It was […]
The pension changes- How mistakes are still being made
Thanks to the changes in pension legislation that came into effect in April 2015, those who have defined contribution pension plans have more choice available to them than ever before. When they reach 55 they have a variety of options; they can leave their pension plan untouched, purchase an annuity, take an adjustable income (flexi […]
Why it pays to keep an eye on your portfolio
Whether you are a newcomer or a seasoned investor, one of the keys to successful investing is having an annual portfolio review. It’s essential if you want to ensure that the stocks and shares you hold are still in line with your investment objectives. Failing to keep an eye on your investments might mean that […]
Brexit- where are we now?
When Theresa May called the General Election, she was quick to make it a Brexit election. Her rationale was that with a stronger majority behind her, she would be better placed to negotiate a favourable settlement with her European counterparts. With the election over, the time has come to return to the task of unravelling […]
More pensioners than ever are working into their 70s
Today, there are 1.2 million people working beyond the age of 65, according to recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Whilst some enjoy what they do and are continuing to work out of choice rather than necessity, others feel compelled to keep working because financially they can’t afford to stop. Research from […]
Baby-boomers set to pass on a ‘wall on wealth’
A recent research study shows that Britain’s grandparents hold over £400 billion in wealth. The bulk of this wealth has arisen as a result of the continuing rise in property values. Elderly couples with homes will pass down on average property worth £400,000 to £500,000 to their offspring, with the money they leave behind set […]
What’s a university degree worth?
Each year, more and more students and their families think seriously about the financial outlay involved in taking a degree course. With several universities outlining their plans to increase their tuition fees to £9,250 a year, further education can be a considerable financial burden. Data from the Department for Education shows that graduates aged 21 […]