Independent Wealth Management
Call us on 01276 517700 or email advice@professional-wealthcare.co.uk
Against a background of political wrangling about pension reform, a growing number of UK individuals face an uncertain – and uncomfortable – retirement.
Total UK personal debt stood at £1,452bn at the end of May 2011, according to figures from Credit Action – almost as much as the whole country has produced in the year to June 2011 and a sum that equates to over £8,000 per household (excluding mortgages).
The following article is quite abrupt and to the point. It is difficult to write about some of the basic, yet important issues surrounding retirement planning without perhaps touching some nerves. So if you’re easily offended, please move on. My objective here is to help people to understand retirement and to successfully plan ahead for later life. This involves waking up to some serious issues. So please read this in the spirit it is meant and please don’t shoot the messenger.
When make an investment (whether it be a lump sum, regular savings or a pension contribution), you have some important decisions to make and fund selection will be high on your decision list. If your investment is small, you may decide to use a single fund. However, for most, it is important to build a suitable portfolio of funds because:
The Government have recently announced draft regulations for the new Junior ISA. This is due to be launched on 1st November 2011. If you are considering saving for your child or grandchild, you should be aware of this new tax efficient savings opportunity.
If you have a pension or investment plan, you will often invest in a selection of different funds, often referred to as a ‘Portfolio’.
Whatever the size of your pension fund, it is very important that your investment is looked after. However, the harsh reality is that with larger funds, the level of care can usually be improved on.
If you are a saver or an investor, have you ever really considered the amount of risk you are taking with your money?
Today, 1st March 2011, the unimaginable has happened. The European Court of Justice has ruled that Insurers cannot charge different premiums to men and women. The effects of this ruling will be far reaching and will take effect from 21st December 2012.
You may have seen or heard adverts for life cover for over 50’s. Let me start by saying that these types of plans are not always the best value option for you. However for some, they are precisely what you need.
After a long career dealing with other people’s money (often major six figure sums on a daily basis) I considered myself to be pretty numerate. However, facing retirement the whole pensions jungle filled me with dread as I knew it was a task I would neither relish nor easily absorb. Having taken the decision to get some help I decided I didn’t want my bank involved nor any corporate suit.
From everything I’d read and heard it was clear that I personally needed someone who could guide me through the process, having first understood our needs and to then explain each step simply without all the uniquely incomprehensible language so often encountered in this industry.
I wanted a local Financial Adviser with a good track record and I initially used a website to draw up a shortlist of suitable candidates. Barry stood out as just the kind of bloke we could do business with and, having appointed him last year, we are delighted with his service.
It’s been quite a “journey” sorting it all out these past few months but we now feel we have fully optimised our pension options and at last really enjoy our retirement. We can therefore thoroughly recommend Barry to anyone seeking such a Financial Adviser.
Mr Peter Seabrook-Harris
