Not long ago, shareholders were limited to a narrow range of investment options. Employing a stockbroker was only open to the very wealthy; Unit Trusts were in their infancy and considered too risky for most, and With-Profit funds dominated the pension and endowment market. With-Profit funds were ok up to a point. However, they fell […]
Personal pensions and IHT
Countries worldwide are battling the financial consequences of Covid and the cost of living crisis. The UK is no different, with government resources struggling to provide services to the public. Into the fray stepped the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), a leading independent economic research institute, with proposals for personal pensions and IHT (inheritance tax). […]
How to avoid unnecessary investment management fees
Trying to understand investment management fees can be a challenge for investors. There’s an old saying about buying cars: no matter what the bodywork looks like, you should always look under the bonnet before committing to the purchase. The same applies to investment fund purchases. Marketeers are experts when describing their particular fund offerings’, the […]
Best SIPP for EU residents
The best SIPP for EU residents is an International SIPP. Sometimes referred to as a ‘non-resident SIPP’, it can be a useful retirement planning tool for expatriates. Many of us live, work or retire in an EU country and have a long ‘to-do list’ that needs ticking off before we can settle into everyday life. […]
The truth about pension fees and charges
New disclosure regulations for investments into financial products have obliged providers to make major changes to how pension fees and charges are presented to investors. These rules apply to all investment funds, pension plans, and QROPS trustee fees. Not only must pension fees and charges be disclosed before an adviser can complete an application, but […]
Investment risk management
Investment risk management is an on-going exercise if we wish to meet our financial planning goals. As our personal situation changes, it’s important that we alter our investment portfolio to reflect new needs and requirements. While it’s relatively easy to assess risk at the point of investing, unforeseen events can force a rethink. The most […]
Pension scams and new QROPS rules
The UK government recently published a paper on regulations designed to combat pension transfer fraud, including new QROPS rules. Pension scams are the scourge of the professional financial services industry. Unfortunately, too many consumers have lost some or all of their funds to unscrupulous, so-called advisers. The idea behind the legislation is to stop scams […]
The UK Budget – Autumn 2021
The UK budget contained a mixture of giveaways and takeaways; its impact on the public depends on individual circumstances. One consistency with each Chancellor is that the budget is always presented as a positive initiative from a forward-thinking politician! Rishi Sunak followed the trend, basing his tax and spending decisions on “levelling up” and “a […]
Financial planning: time for a spring clean!
The COVID-19 lockdown has prompted many to look for ways of using their extra spare time as productively as possible. For some, this includes reviewing their financial plan. We should always keep a close eye on our finances. It’s even more critical now that the fiscal effects of the COVID-19 crisis become apparent. Stock markets […]
QROPS pensions and divorce
Resolving issues relating to QROPS pensions and divorce requires a specific understanding of what can and can’t be done in accordance with the law. It’s an unfortunate fact of modern life that many marriages end in separation. Even in the most amicable of cases, financial problems tend to focus the mind. Negotiations can become fraught […]
British in France Seek Expat Pension Advice on Brexit
Understanding the full ramifications of Brexit is likely to be impossible for some time to come. Many people need guidance on their tax situation and also expat pension advice. The British in France can attend meetings and receive valuable guidance from the Embassy regarding a whole host of post-Brexit concerns. A series of meetings have […]
Investment regulation changes post-Brexit for expats
There will inevitably be investment regulation changes post-Brexit. The rules on how expats purchase investment funds and who they can be advised by are set to alter. UK pension providers are already preparing for the post-Brexit world by making it difficult (or even impossible) for their expat clients to continue to receive benefits or contribute […]
Financial planning and Brexit
There are many issues surrounding financial planning and Brexit that expats should be aware of. I’m going to make a bold prediction though. Life will go on even if the UK decides to leave Europe! I don’t say this glibly. History shows that every time major political and economic events rock our world, we can […]
The French will
It is vitally important to write a French will if you live in France. French inheritance rules are relatively complex. Understanding how they work and what can be done to mitigate tax requires the input of various professional parties. When someone dies without a will, the estate of the deceased is distributed in accordance with the rules of intestacy […]
Sustaining pension income in retirement
Sustaining pension income in retirement is a common concern for most of us. We work hard to build up our pension pots, hoping that we can sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labour come the glorious day of retirement. However, for those in Defined Contribution (DC) plans, it’s still important to monitor and […]