Millions of Britons say they want to plan to pass on wealth to their children and grandchildren in a Will – but fewer than half have written one, according to new research[1]. Failing to plan could potentially lead to a significant Inheritance Tax (commonly called IHT for short) bill being levied on a person’s estate…
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The days of working for a single employer for your entire career and retiring with a comfortable pension are largely gone. The responsibility for accumulating a retirement nest egg now rests with individuals as opposed to their employers. Saving enough for retirement is challenging for many people, but an era of changing demographic trends, such…
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Despite significant societal changes, there’s still a sense — on the part of both some men and women — that men should be the providers. Historically there has been a stigma that the male is the main earner of households, which is of course an extremely outdated way of thinking. The fact is, though, that…
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People aged between 55 and 64 are now less confident about their retirement than they were a year ago, with over-55s most likely to be worried about rising prices. Many of us are unsure about what to expect when it comes to planning for the future. Study after study has indicated that many of us…
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Just before Christmas, the Chancellor asked the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to produce an economic and fiscal forecast for 23 March. The timing and brief nature of the accompanying Treasury announcement reflected Mr Sunak’s wish to keep the Spring Statement a low-profile event. This was not meant to be a March mini-Budget, despite what…
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Savers and investors have just under a month to use the £20,000 they can put into their tax-efficient Individual Savings Account (ISA) before the end of the financial year on 5 April. The current tax year started on 6 April 2021 and ends on 5 April 2022. ISAs enable you to minimise the amount of…
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As another extraordinary financial year comes to a close, it’s more important than ever to make good use of your annual pension allowances. Giving your pension savings a boost and assessing where you stand will give you peace of mind that you are on track to enjoying the retirement you are planning for. The 2021/22…
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The humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine following Putin’s scarcely believable attack is, quite rightly, front and centre of everyone’s thoughts. It is impossible to know what the outcome will be, with a range from something that does not bear contemplation to a Russian retreat and positive regime change. With uncertainty abounding, it is only right…
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Over the years, the number of women in financial services in the UK has grown steadily. The FCA has also been increasing its focus on promoting gender diversity and recognise that “diversity and inclusion underpin healthy cultures in firms.” This has resulted in a 43% increase in women working within the sector, according to Stemwomen….
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Heading into the New Year, it’s the perfect time to take stock of your budget, liabilities and investments – and check them against your financial goals. The New Year brings an opportunity to reflect on the past year and to set new goals for the year ahead. But before setting financial goals, it helps…
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