The Triple Lock trip up, take two
State pension increases and the Triple Lock are back in the spotlight. About a year ago, during the first wave of the pandemic, several…
The £9 billion Child Trust Funds backwater
Over £9 billion was invested in Child Trust Funds (CTFs) as of April 2020, according to new HMRC data. If you have a child…
Cash ISAs remain dominant: The wrong type of ISA?
New statistics from HMRC show over £300bn invested in cash ISAs. One of the many knock-on effects of the pandemic has been that HMRC’s…
How much pension?? What is an adequate retirement income?
A leading pension think tank has examined this question – but the findings aren’t straightforward. Over the years, there has been much focus on…
The year so far for investors: six months down…
The first six months of 2021 have been rewarding for investors, but the next six are uncertain. The first half of 2021 was a…
The OECD joins the inheritance tax debate
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is the latest body to wade into the inheritance tax debate – on a global scale. Inheritance…
Is inflation creeping up?
A global jump in inflation in 2021 is raising the prospect of a broader upward trend. The risk of the return of inflation has become…
Claim your tax relief for working from home
If you have been working from home during the pandemic, don’t forget you could be due some tax relief. Employees, required by their employers to work…
Timing retirement saving
Research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) examines how pension contributions fit into life-cycle patterns. Economists often seem to think in a way that is unique to their world. Many…
Unhappy families – challenging inheritance issues
The outcome of a recent High Court case is a warning for anyone challenging a will. As inheritances become more valuable, the number of disputes about wills have increased. Court…
Lessons from London Capital & Finance
One of the last decade’s more infamous financial scandals has finally reached a conclusion. The name of London Capital & Finance Plc (LCF) sounds…
An investment sector reshuffle
The fund performance league tables have gained over 530 new funds since April. In the middle of April, the trade body of investment managers,…
April is the month of benefit increases
State pensions and the National Living Wage both increased in April. April is the month when state benefits are uprated – unless they are…
Retirement in 2021… or beyond
A recent survey of people who have or plan to retire in 2021 provides interesting insights, whatever your intended retirement year. The average age…
Are ISAs past their best-before dates?
The role of Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) has changed since they were launched over 20 years ago, so are they still worth having? Since…
Tax Day 2021
The Spring Budget on 3 March was not the end of the taxing story. The run up to the March Budget was accompanied by…
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