Deciding your retirement options and what to do with your pension pot is one of the most important decisions you will ever make for your future. The ‘pension freedom’ changes of April 2015 represented a complete shake-up of the UK’s pension system, giving people much more control over their pension savings than before. New research…
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Successful saving and investing is arguably a lot like exercise – no pain, no gain. As is the case when undertaking a new fitness regime, if you commit yourself and stick to it, the eventual outcomes can be very rewarding. Many people have savings and investment goals in their life, from the old adage of…
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At the time of writing this article, the UK Government is still in negotiations with the European Union over the term of its planned withdrawal on 29 March 2019 – Brexit. As we’ve been constantly hearing over the past few years in the media, Brexit uncertainty is affecting business and consumer confidence, whilst also contributing…
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It’s important you take tax action and get your tax affairs in order before 5 April. This time of year is your last chance before the end of the 2018/19 tax year. We’ve provided a summary of some key tax and financial planning areas which may be appropriate to certain taxpayers and should be considered…
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The March/April TIPS financial magazine is now available to download on our website and is all about experiencing life to the full. Robert Kiyosaki, the American businessman and author of best-selling book Rich Dad, Poor Dad, once remarked, ‘Making money is common sense. It’s not rocket science. But unfortunately, when it comes to money, common sense…
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A defined benefit pension scheme is one where the amount paid to you is set using a formula based on how many years you’ve worked for your employer and the salary you’ve earned, rather than the value of your investments. If you work or have worked for a large employer or in the public sector,…
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With a defined contribution pension scheme, you build up a pot of money that you can then use to provide an income in retirement. Unlike defined benefit schemes, which promise a specific income, the income you might get from a defined contribution scheme depends on factors including the amount you pay in, the fund’s investment…
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Anything is possible when you manage your money the right way. It’s well worth taking the time to think about what you really want from your investments. Knowing yourself, your needs and goals, and your appetite for risk is a good start. Your focus should be on ensuring that the inevitable bumps along your investment…
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A diversified portfolio is an effective tool for reducing risk and volatility without necessarily giving up returns. When you start investing, or even if you are a sophisticated investor, one of the most important tools available is diversification. Whether the market is bullish or bearish, maintaining a diversified portfolio is essential to any long-term investment…
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We’ve created a guide to self-invested personal pensions (SIPP) to help you take greater control of your retirement plans for the future. It is essential that you start to plan for your retirement as early as possible so that you are able to live comfortably in the knowledge that your lifestyle needs are covered. This…
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Setting investment goals can be key to securing your financial future and its vital to create and maintain the right investment strategy to meet them. How much control do you want over your investments? Do you prefer to be in charge, or do you want someone to invest for you? Volatile markets can test your…
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It is difficult to comprehend that you would ever lose the ability to manage your own affairs, but mental and physical incapacity can happen to anyone at any time. In England and Wales, a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint one or more people to make decisions…
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