Keep up to date with the latest news and updates from Inspire Financial Planning, and the world of finance.
The sun may be shining (if the Great British summer permits!) but the Lifetime Allowance (LTA) freeze is most certainly here. The pension LTA has been frozen at its current level of £1,073,100 until April 2026. So essentially, the total amount yo...
Read moreAs the country emerges from lockdown, an increasing sense of optimism seems to have filled the air with a much more familiar feel returning this summer. And there’s plenty to look forward to over the coming months, with a host of major sporting eve...
Read moreTwo pieces of research have again highlighted consumer confusion and concerns around pension provision and thereby the necessity for people to take control of their retirement planning. State pension overestimated Firstly, a survey by Which?6 found...
Read moreUK dividends fell 44% in 2020 to £61.9bn, the lowest annual total since 2011, according to Link Group’s latest Dividend Monitor5. However, a better-than-expected Q4 was boosted by suspended payouts being restored. The biggest impact came from t...
Read moreA third of potential retirees continue to financially support their families, with regular handouts amounting to more than £3,700 a year4. Those planning to retire expect an average income of £20,663, but anticipate around a fifth of this (£3,700)...
Read moreNew research suggests environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing is set to continue gaining prominence, with ESG issues increasingly converging into mainstream investment strategies. A growing trend The last few years have seen a substant...
Read moreMore people accessed their pensions and more money was withdrawn in the final three months of 2020 compared to the same quarter the previous year. A total of £2.4bn was withdrawn from pensions flexibly in the three months to December 2020, represent...
Read moreJob support Furlough scheme extended until 30 September 2021 - the government will continue to pay 80% of employees’ wages up to £2,500 a month until the end of June, employers then pay a 10% contribution in July, rising to 20% in August and ...
Read moreCOVID support understandably featured front and centre of Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s second Budget on 3 March, in what is an extraordinary and challenging time for the UK and global economies. The Chancellor’s pledge to “continue doing whateve...
Read moreA study1 suggests Helsinki is the happiest place to live out retirement. The analysis also found that people typically need a pension pot worth around £225,000 to retire comfortably in one of the world’s happiest cities. Retirement heaven In ord...
Read moreThe arrival of spring is generally a time of great optimism and this year more than ever we are all certainly in need of a fresh bout of positivity. Thankfully for investors, there do seem to be increasingly hopeful signs on the horizon, with a growi...
Read moreWith the release of Q2 data over the summer, the full extent of the impact COVID-19 has had on the global economy became apparent, as a succession of countries reported record falls in output, with lockdowns causing inevitable and acute economic disr...
Read moreIn uncertain times, where we’ve witnessed periods of stock market volatility, it’s easy to let emotions influence investment decisions, but a good strategy for investors to adopt is not to react hastily. Human instinct is to be responsive, so tra...
Read moreInvesting according to environmental, social and governance principles (ESG) has been a fast growth area, according to figures4, UK-based ESG funds saw record inflows between March and July 2020, with £362m invested in July alone. What is ESG? The...
Read more“Sorry, we don’t accept cash” has become a familiar refrain in shops and eateries in recent months due to fears that handling cash could accelerate the spread of the virus. So, are we on our way to a cashless society? Predictions of the deat...
Read moreUK dividends experienced their biggest quarterly fall on record in Q2 2020, dropping by over £22bn (57%) to give a total payout of £16bn. Dividends were cancelled by 176 companies and reduced by at least a further 30. BP cut its dividend for the fi...
Read moreWhen the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the severity of its impact on global societies and economies was shocking. Yet critics are insisting that the repercussions could (and should) have been foreseen. Does this make it a ‘black swan’ event? Origi...
Read moreThe pandemic has inflicted enormous human costs right across the globe. The worldwide response, which has involved governments imposing a range of lockdown measures, will inevitably have a huge impact on global economic activity. Contraction across ...
Read moreIn addition to organising your finances to ensure your assets are protected for your loved ones on your death, estate planning also encompasses ensuring you have enough money to live on; it is a tenuous balance for many. A good starting point is obta...
Read moreAlmost exactly 50 years ago, a company few people had previously heard of was hitting the headlines as the price of its shares went stratospheric. A few months later it came back to earth with a crash. Fortunes were made and lost after mining com...
Read moreThe COVID-19 pandemic is having a widespread impact on all aspects of our finances, including retirement planning. However, while recent stock market volatility undoubtedly poses a challenge, particularly for those close to retirement, it is importan...
Read moreThe latest batch of gross domestic product (GDP) figures shows the global economy faltered at the end of last year. While decisive policy action is providing support to growth, the economic fallout from the COVID–19 outbreak is likely to dent hopes...
Read moreStock markets around the world are suffering a major period of volatility as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Although markets do not respond well to periods of uncertainty, what is certain is that volatility goes hand in hand with stock market inv...
Read moreData from the 15th annual Women and Retirement Report1 suggests an increasing proportion of women are prepared for retirement, although it also highlights a continuing disparity in levels of pension savings compared to men. Record female partici...
Read moreChancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, delivered his first Budget on 11 March and unleashed the largest increase in public investment for several generations, in an effort to boost the economy and see the country through the coronavirus crisis. T...
Read moreIn the current climate, there is uncertainty in all of our lives with both health and financial concerns. However, while we are all understandably focusing on the here and now, it might be worth using this time to take a step back and review your...
Read moreAs we enter a new decade, the global economy seems to be precariously balanced. Although recent data supports this pessimistic prognosis, forecasters suggest 2020 is set to observe a recovery. Global growth rates Gross domestic product (GDP) data f...
Read moreEthical investment has traversed into the mainstream, as people increasingly choose to allocate their investable funds toward companies whose values and practices align with their personal beliefs, whether they be environmental, social, religious, or...
Read moreHMRC data has revealed a significant increase in the total value of pension contributions exceeding the annual allowance, with more and more people falling foul of the complex rules and regulations. The latest personal pension statistics, which co...
Read moreAt a launch event during October, Bank of England Governor Mark Carney revealed the latest in the Bank’s new series of polymer banknotes, a £20 featuring the artist JMW Turner. Cash no longer king The polymer notes are certainly more resilient a...
Read moreThe New Year period is a common time for people to take stock of their finances and make resolutions designed to boost their financial wellbeing. And a new study has found the likelihood of success in this area is heavily linked to receiving prof...
Read moreA YouGov survey commissioned by Zurich3 has revealed that most retirees in drawdown are unaware they can vary their level of income. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, the research also found those not receiving financial advice were more likely to be in t...
Read moreAll successful gardeners will understand the need to regularly tend their plants, shrubs and lawns in order to ensure a garden can flourish. And, for investors, taking a similar approach with their financial affairs can also bear fruit by ensuring ...
Read moreA recent study2 has found that a significant proportion of over-55s struggle to understand a range of key terms and rules relating to pensions. The survey asked 2,002 UK adults to identify and define various pension-related terms and acronyms. Baf...
Read moreRecent data shows the global economy faltered in the second quarter of 2019. Policymakers have begun to respond, with the US Federal Reserve (Fed) cutting rates for the first time in a decade, but with the US-China trade dispute rumbling on and anoth...
Read moreThe Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) has published a second report in relation to its Inheritance Tax (IHT) review. The report, published in July, spans 103 pages and is entitled ‘Simplifying the design of Inheritance Tax’. Recommendations Th...
Read moreBeware of scammers impersonating HMRC Scammers are making threatening calls pretending to be from HMRC1 and saying if the victim doesn’t pay out thousands of pounds immediately, they will be arrested. This is a particularly unpleasant scam, and ...
Read moreParents and grandparents keen to help their offspring get onto the housing ladder are increasingly helping them out with the money they need for their deposit. This can help reduce Inheritance Tax (IHT) too, but you need to be aware of the rules. ...
Read moreToday, you don’t have to be incredibly rich for your family to benefit from the creation of a trust. They can offer long-term asset protection and have a variety of uses as part of financial planning strategies. A family trust can help protect your...
Read moreThe House of Lords Committee on Intergenerational Fairness and Provision has called on the government to take steps to make society fairer by supporting younger people, particularly in the employment market and the provision of housing. A Change...
Read moreLiving through decades of increasing prosperity has undoubtedly given baby boomers a lot of advantages, but they can also face a number of challenges. Today, many feel pressured into working past their normal retirement date, often because of the n...
Read moreWith the Government announcing a dramatic rise in probate fees, many people are considering reducing the size of their estate to minimise the Inheritance Tax (IHT) and probate fees that will be payable on their death. In the most extreme cases, estat...
Read moreWhilst the Chancellor set out some extra spending in key areas such as the NHS, he prefaced his remarks by saying that he might need to present an Emergency Budget in the event of no deal being secured in Brexit negotiations, so this was in many ways...
Read moreAs parents and grandparents, we all hope the values that we hold dear can somehow be passed on to our children and grandchildren. We’d all like them to be able to make the right financial decisions for the future. Here are a few thoughts that might...
Read moreAccording to figures from HM Revenue and Customs, Inheritance Tax (IHT) revenues are up again, with £5bh being paid in the 2017 - 18 tax year. This increase comes despite the introduction of the residence nil-rate band in 2017. With more families f...
Read morePlanning your likely cashflow can help you identify how much you can sustainably withdraw from your pension without jeopardising your future financial security and well-being. There's growing evidence that pensioners are treating their pension pots ...
Read moreThe last few months have-seen the release of positive economic reports and grounds for optimism remain with regards to future growth rates, certainly in terms of the US economy. However, while no one is currently predicting the onset of a sharp slowd...
Read moreIf ever there is a UK tax that needed a major overhaul, then Inheritance Tax (IHT) must be a prime candidate. Many families will therefore be delighted to hear that the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, has written to the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS)...
Read moreScammers are increasingly targeting older people, with many of the crimes they commit involving bank account fraud or the selling of bogus or unsuitable investments. Although cold calling is to be banned, the elderly can still be contacted in other w...
Read moreThere was a time, not so long ago, when many people’s lives fell neatly into three distinct stages – they were educated, embarked upon a career and then retired. The date at which people chose to retire was generally in line with their state reti...
Read moreIncome drawdown is where you leave your pension pot invested and take an income directly from it, instead of using the money in your pot to buy an annuity from an insurance company. As the rest of your pension pot remains invested, it will continue t...
Read moreFrom time to time the finance pages publish lists of what are called ‘dog’ funds. You may have wondered what the term means and be concerned about what you should do if you find you’re invested in one of these funds. Put simply, a ‘dog’ fu...
Read moreRetirement is often seen as the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next. Planning for it isn’t just about getting your money organised, although that’s obviously very important. Depending on your circumstances, you may want to take the ...
Read moreOver the last eight years, the stock market has been pretty generous, providing many investors with a period of relatively strong rates of return. Some experts are warning that the next few years are likely to be less rewarding and that investor ex...
Read moreIn yet another sign that retirement is becoming an increasingly fluid concept, figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the number of women working past the age of 70 has doubled in the last four years. The abolition of the compuls...
Read moreMany people spend their working lives planning and saving for their later years. However, when they reach retirement they can be unsure as to how best to allocate their cash. This is where cash flow planning can really help. Why It Helps To Get A F...
Read moreAccording to research carried out for the Pensions Policy Institute, many pensioners are relying on their state pension for three-quarters of their income. It can come as a shock to many that their state pension entitlement increased to £164.35 pe...
Read moreWith the Bank of Mum and Dad regularly helping to finance property transactions for their offspring, it’s important for parents to be aware of the tax consequences of doing so. Inheritance Tax (IHT) Although it’s tempting to give children large...
Read moreToday, savers reaching retirement have more choices than ever before about how they use their pension pots to fund their retirement. Instead of simply using their pension money to buy an annuity that provides a guaranteed income for life, many choose...
Read moreIf you’re looking to get a better return from your money than you can from your bank account, then the time might be right to think about investing for the future. Before you begin, here are some golden rules to consider. Hold Some Cash You’l...
Read moreSince the introduction of the new pension freedoms in April 2015, more and more retirees have opted to take flexible withdrawals from their pension funds by going into what’s referred to as drawdown. The Financial Conduct Authority recently report...
Read moreWhilst you might not think of yourself as an employer, if you have a carer, gardener, nanny or cleaner, you may find yourself classed as that under government pension rules. As part of the government’s auto-enrolment scheme designed to encourage pe...
Read moreIt’s estimated that around 1.9m workers aged over 50 find themselves juggling the competing needs of the younger and older generations, sometimes overlooking their own financial planning requirements. As a result, many feel under pressure to go on ...
Read morePolice reports show that since the introduction of the pension freedoms, more than £43m in retirement savings has been lost to fraud. Concerns have been raised in parliament, and the Work and Pensions Committee has held an inquiry that, amongst othe...
Read moreThe good news is that, due to the increase in life expectancy in the UK, the average time spent in retirement is currently 22 to 25 years. This means we all have more time to enjoy life, but equally means that we need to think quite carefully how we ...
Read moreIt can come as a surprise to many people to learn that their pension doesn’t form part of their estate on death. Unlike property, savings and investments which can all be dealt with under the terms of your Will, who gets your pension savings depend...
Read moreIn further evidence that pensioners are seeing their incomes rise, those in retirement have seen their annual tax bill grow by 5.7% to an average £7,410 (2015-16 tax year) Nearly 30% of pensioner household income was taken up with paying the ta...
Read moreThe amount of revenue that the government raises from inheritance tax (IHT) continues to rise year by year. In 201617, the figure rose again to over £4.9bn1, with experts expecting it to be even higher in this financial year. Controversially, t...
Read moreWhat do the last few months of the year have in store for investors? 2017 has so far been interesting, to say the least. We have all become much better at expecting the unexpected; experience has certainly taught us that. Many investors are gett...
Read moreMore than a million women are now worse off by an average of £32 a week because of changes to the state pension, according to recent research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies. It found that the phased increase in the state pension age for wo...
Read moreThanks 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 ...
Read moreWhether 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 objec...
Read moreWhen 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....
Read moreToday, 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...
Read moreA recent research study1 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...
Read moreWhilst we are all aware of the age differences between the generations, we might not have thought about how our age bears any relation to our investments. However, the number of years you have left to invest can help you make the right decisions ...
Read moreThe way we view our savings and investment reflects when we were born, to a remarkable degree. Those aged 51 to 70 (Baby-Boomers), for instance, are more likely to feel that they have been particularly lucky with their cash. This generation saved ...
Read moreHave you started to save for your retirement? If the answer is ‘not yet’, sadly you are not alone. With the cost of living rising, it seems that many people are putting off saving into a pension, or not saving at all. Financial pressure in the...
Read moreWith interest rates currently at very low levels, and inflation starting to climb, savers aren’t seeing great returns. So, many are considering putting their money into the stock market. However, adjusting to a world where stock prices can r...
Read moreAre you in a Defined Contribution Pension, such as a Stakeholder Pension or Personal Pension, or a SIPP? If you’re a higher rate taxpayer, you could be missing out on free cash because you haven’t claimed the correct tax relief on your pension co...
Read moreAs the government begins the process of leaving the EU, this year looks likely to mark a significant watershed for the UK economy and its relationship with the rest of Europe. On the international stage, there is considerable uncertainty about wha...
Read moreApril 2017 sees the introduction of a new Inheritance Tax (IHT) nil-rate band that is available in addition to an individual’s own nil-rate band of £325,000. It covers the main residence (or other qualifying property the deceased had lived in)...
Read moreEvery walk of life has its own particular terminology and expressions that can seem baffling to the outsider. The world of investment is no exception; if you put your money into stocks and shares, you are likely to be confronted with a whole range of...
Read moreThe announcement of the result of the UK’s EU Referendum on Friday 24 June came as a shock to many people at home and abroad. Within hours David Cameron had announced his resignation. The pound fell to its lowest level against the dollar for ov...
Read moreThere’s growing evidence that when it comes to savings and investments, Millennials have a completely different perspective from their parents and grandparents. Those born in the early 1980s through to the turn of the century, the Millennials as th...
Read moreIf you’re approaching your 40th birthday, you may be approaching your earnings peak. Figures from the Office for National Statistics1 show that workers can expect to reach their peak between ages 40 and 49. Turning 40 is a major milestone. By th...
Read moreFor most of us, our summer holidays are just too short. So it’s hardly surprising that more and more employees are thinking about taking an extended break to travel the world, fulfil a lifetime ambition, recharge their batteries or become a volunte...
Read moreFinancial habits are formed by the age of seven, according to research by Cambridge University1 for the Money Advice Service. By this age, the report says, most children in the UK are capable of complex functions such as planning ahead, delaying a de...
Read moreSuccessfully achieving your long-term investment goals requires balancing risk and reward. By selecting a broad range of assets in line with your attitude to risk, objectives and time horizon, diversification aims to provide the potential to improve ...
Read moreIndividual Savings Accounts (ISAs) continue to take centre stage, especially as the Government has recently introduced more products including the Help to Buy ISA and the newest entrant, the Lifetime ISA which launches in April 2017. The Chancell...
Read moreThe latest addition to the Individual Savings Account (ISA) range was launched by the Chancellor in his March 2016 Budget. Announcing the Lifetime ISA (LISA) he summed up what it had to offer by saying: “For every £4 you save, the Government will ...
Read moreA new-fangled undergarment to streamline your physique? Not quite. A structured product is a generic term used to describe a type of investment which often has a fixed term applied and usually offers some form of capital protection, whilst aiming to ...
Read moreMany people strive to be efficient in everyday life, to optimise their level of performance, hoping to minimise the waste of resources such as time and energy. This concept of efficiency can also be translated to your investment portfolio. By cons...
Read moreIt's often said that, whilst we may not be able to prepare the future for our children, we can at least prepare our children for the future. With this thought in mind, many parents and grandparents are looking for ways to save for the big events in a...
Read moreA recent study* carried out by the independent body that works to promote social change, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, found that 46% of the general public do not expect to be able to put aside enough money to retire comfortably and believe they wi...
Read moreThe taxation of dividends is set to undergo a fundamental change from the start of the new tax year this April. The old dividend tax credit regime is consigned to history, and will be replaced by a new allowance which means that the first £5,000...
Read moreInvestment Trusts are similar to Unit Trusts in that they area form of pooled, collective investment. Like Unit Trusts, they are managed by a professional team responsible for defining the strategy and choosing the investments. Where they differ is t...
Read moreAs the old adage goes, 'never put off until tomorrow what you can do today'. This certainly applies when it comes to starting a pension plan. For those just starting out in life, there can be a lot of calls on their cash - saving for a deposit...
Read moreYou may have heard the terminology ‘contrarian investing’, but what does it mean? In the same way that Mary was quite contrary, so too are several high profile fund managers, who are focused on finding long-term growth investments. In basic terms...
Read moreThe good news is that Britain is regarded by the International Monetary Fund(IMF) as a shining light amongst otherwise gloomy world economies. In October, the IMF revised upwards its forecast for UK growth in 2015, whilst at the same time downgra...
Read moreArguably, pensions are one of the most misunderstood areas of personal finance. With the introduction of a raft of new measures relating to the operation of defined contribution pensions, much has changed. Here we look to clarify some of the conf...
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Read moreWorld demographics are changing. The global population is increasing and prospects for different economies vary widely compared with where they are today – especially in the world’s emerging markets. Today, the population of China, at 1.4 ...
Read moreWith rising property prices seldom out of the media, many older people have found themselves considering the amount of money they have locked up in their own homes. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that people aged over 50 own £2...
Read moreAccording to Ofcom, four in every five households now has access to the internet and 63% of people own a smartphone. This level of always-on connectivity and access to information is transforming modern communications in ways which, even just one gen...
Read moreFor experienced investors looking to take a stake in new and emerging businesses, Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) could prove an interesting and tax-efficient investment opportunity. According to the Association of Investment Companies, the amou...
Read morePension Reform arrived in April and new taxation rules also changed – quite radically – the way pension funds will be treated when passed on as part of an estate. Previously subject to quite punitive tax rates which actively discouraged their...
Read moreSince April 2015, the new pension rules have been firmly in place; investors in defined contribution pensions aged over 55 have the freedom to plan how they use their pension pots in retirement. Gone is the requirement to buy an annuity. The main...
Read more“A Budget For Working People” In the first uniquely Conservative produced Budget since 1996, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, announced that, “Our long-term economic plan is working” and added that the “economy is fundame...
Read moreNo-one could have predicted before the March 2014 Budget that, by the end of the year, the pensions landscape would have witnessed such far-reaching and fundamental changes. From April 2015, those with defined contributions pensions are set to enj...
Read moreFamilies were charged £3.4bn in inheritance tax in 2013-14, a six-year high according to HM Revenue & Customs. The 2014-2015 inheritance tax (IHT) threshold is £325,000 per person, doubling to £650,000 for a married couple. Anything over th...
Read moreDiversification is an often-used investment strategy which aims to guard against some of the risks widely associated with economic fluctuations and stock market peaks and troughs.When it comes to investing, it’s good to hedge your bets and spread y...
Read moreRetirement can be both fulfilling and rewarding; however, you have to work at it. In the years leading up to your retirement, there are some important questions you should consider. How much will your lifestyle cost? Some costs will come down, but ...
Read moreTrusts were once considered the preserve of the wealthy, but today you don’t have to be incredibly rich for your family to benefit from the creation of a trust. They can offer long-term asset protection and can have a variety of uses in financial p...
Read moreIt’s that time of the year again. The post-Christmas period can be a good time to take stock of your finances and set yourself some simple objectives for 2015. This year, I will make my will This should be at the top of everyone’s priorities to...
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