It’s understandable that parents and grandparents want to pass their wealth on to the next generations and by making a will we can decide what happens to our property and possessions after our death. Although you do not have to make one by law, it is the best way to make sure your estate is passed on to family and friends exactly as you wish. If you die without a will, your assets may be distributed according to the law rather than your wishes.
Britons are still reluctant to talk openly with their parents about any expected inheritance, according to figures released by Aviva. Almost two-thirds have not, or would not talk about the subject openly with their parents, despite the fact that 40 per cent of people still expect an inheritance and may even build it into their retirement planning.
We can’t predict the future, which makes it all the more important we’re prepared for whatever life may throw at us. In the event that the worst happens to you life insurance could help support your dependants, giving you peace of mind that they’ll be financially protected when you’re gone.
Millions of people are not saving enough to have the income they are likely to want in retirement. Life expectancy in the UK is increasing and at the same time people are saving less into pensions.
Saving tax is a preoccupation for many investors. However, for some experienced investors the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) offers an invaluable tax break in the form of business property relief (BPR).
AIM is the most successful growth market in the world. Since its launch in 1995, over 3,000 companies from across the globe have chosen to join AIM, helping smaller and growing companies raise the capital they need for expansion.
Providing for care in later life, whether for yourself or a relative, can appear a complex issue. Most people with assets over £23,250* will be required to pay for their own care.
Business protection is designed to help safeguard a business against the effects of losing key staff, partners in a partnership or shareholders through death, terminal or critical illness.
‘Emerging markets’ is a broad term that encompasses the giants of Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC), as well as some other nations. Emerging markets have continued to outperform developed markets, even during the difficult economic climate we have experienced throughout 2011. The lure for investors is greater growth and younger economies than typically found in the developed West, but the trade-off for this growth is higher volatility and greater risk.
Personal protection is an important part of most people’s financial planning requirements. The financial effects on your family in the event of death or illness could be profound. There are many protection options available and we can help you identify the most suitable for your specific requirements.
If you pay higher rate tax you will not receive tax relief automatically on your personal pension contributions unless you claim it. This means that someone earning more than £42,475 in the current financial year could potentially be losing a fifth of the value of their pension if they are not actively claiming back higher rate tax relief on their contributions.