News and Views


Keeping you up to date with what matters.

14 Jun 2021
Boost your pension savings

Boost your pension savings

  Are you ‘mid or late career’ or planning to retire within ten years? If the answer’s ‘yes’, then you probably want to know the answers to these questions: Will I be able to retire when I want to? Will I run out of money? How can I guarantee the kind of retirement I want?…

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25 May 2021
Should I delay my retirement?

Should I delay my retirement?

  Retirement is something that many of us dream of throughout our working lives, but when the time comes, it can be difficult to decide if you’re ready, both in terms of your lifestyle and your finances. The decision is certainly not made any easier by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. To help you make up…

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10 May 2021
In Your Shoes

In Your Shoes

  Chris Forde is Head of Financial Planning at Thorntons Wealth.  Thorntons Wealth are based in Dundee, Edinburgh and Aberdeen providing Financial Planning services. This article was written for Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce – click here to view the article on their website.   Monday – no need to unmute. The week for me…

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5 May 2021
Power of a plan

Power of a plan

We know it’s impossible to predict the future, but we know that by putting in place a well thought through plan the future will look less daunting. Creating a financial plan helps you see the big picture and map out your financial future. When you have a financial plan, it’s easier to make financial decisions…

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27 Apr 2021
Focus on long-term horizons

Focus on long-term horizons

During this difficult time, fear and worry is understandable, particularly as the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak led to the biggest daily drop in the FTSE 100 since the financial crisis. Trying to second-guess the impact of events such as the coronavirus or the recent stock market volatility – or even attempting to make a bet on…

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14 Apr 2021
Goals based investing

Goals based investing

Before you start, defining any goals you may have will help you plan, budget and choose the right investments. Your goals might be around enhancing your current lifestyle, planning for your family or your own retirement. The sooner you start investing, the better off you will be. Match your long-term investment goals with your short-term…

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29 Mar 2021
Advice Matters

Advice Matters

In the current climate, we understand that you may be feeling worried about your work, your finances and what the future holds.   Research carried out by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that, since the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), over 25 million people have experienced ‘high’ levels of anxiety[1].   Professional financial advice…

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18 Mar 2021
Pension Options

Pension Options

One thing retirement is not, is an age. Not anymore anyway. Gone are the days of being told to stop working one day and pick up your state pension the next. Today you have new pension freedoms to decide when and how you retire.   Pension freedoms in 2015 fundamentally changed the rules for cashing…

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15 Mar 2021
Protecting vulnerable consumers is a key focus for the FCA

Protecting vulnerable consumers is a key focus for the FCA

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warns that there are now “27.7 million adults in the UK with characteristics of vulnerability.”  Examples of vulnerability include poor health, such as cognitive impairment, life events, such as bereavement or new caring responsibilities, low resilience to cope with financial or emotional upsets and low capability, such as poor literacy…

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4 Mar 2021
UK Government Budget 2021

UK Government Budget 2021

On some counts this Budget was Rishi Sunak’s 15th major announcement since his first Budget, just under a year ago.  During this period, the pandemic has dominated the Chancellor’s actions and this was true of his latest Budget.  To no small degree the framework for Mr Sunak’s latest appearance at the despatch box had been…

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