Tag: independent financial planning
Tax Rates for 2025/2026
As each new tax year arrives, revised limits and allowances are often introduced. It’s important to keep yourself up to date with any changes, so we’ve created a one page summary of all the various tax rates which became applicable as the new 2024/2025 tax year became effective in April 2024. Continue reading
Markets
At the end of March, concerns weighed on financial markets, days before Donald Trump’s tariff plans are due to take effect. Investors are braced for a broad set of tariffs, set to be unveiled on April 2 – described as ‘Liberation Day’ by the President. In the UK, the FTSE 100 index closed the month on 8,582.81, […] Continue reading
Chancellor trims spending plans
Rachel Reeves delivered her Spring Statement on 26 March, unveiling welfare cuts and spending reductions in order to balance the government’s books in the face of a worsening fiscal outlook. The new spending plans were required to ensure the Chancellor stays on track to meet her two self-imposed fiscal rules, which she confirmed remain “non-negotiable.” […] Continue reading
Dive into ’25 on top of key tax changes
A few months have passed since the Autumn Budget, a significant milestone for the Labour government. A comprehensive set of measures impacting individuals and businesses were announced, featuring £40bn in tax increases. Key announcements involved Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax, domicile status, VAT on private school fees, Stamp Duty and Income Tax thresholds. Continue reading
Only a few months left to maximise your State Pension
The government is encouraging individuals to take advantage of the opportunity to maximise their State Pension by filling gaps in their National Insurance (NI) records for the period between 6 April 2006 and 5 April 2018. Continue reading
Nurture your financial wellbeing in 2025 – get your life plans in place with smart planning
As we step into 2025, now is the perfect time to set your financial plans in order. Continue reading
What you need to know about Interest-only mortgages
An interest-only mortgage helps to keep monthly costs down, but can cause problems when the term ends. Start planning now to have all financial bases covered. Continue reading
End of tax year IHT recap – gen up on gifting allowances
Recent HMRC data shows that IHT receipts rose to £4.3bn during the period from April to September 2024, a £400m increase on the same period the previous year. Continue reading
Group Life Assurance – how does it work?
o As business owner, providing a Group Life Assurance scheme to your workforce goes a long way towards demonstrating genuine care for staff welfare as well as encouraging loyalty and reassuring staff that they are valued. Read all about it here. Continue reading
Take steps to avoid a retirement overspend
A fifth (20%) of respondents to a survey* have consistently spent more than they expected to during their retirement so far. Moreover, 11% of the over-55s surveyed also said their overspending had occurred early on in their retirement. Continue reading
Advisers play a ‘pivotal role’ in later-life planning
People who have sought financial advice are more likely to have taken action to prepare for later life and the transition of wealth, research by Canada Life has revealed. Continue reading
Social Media isn’t a reliable source of Financial Advice
Social Media isn’t a safe or reliable source of advice or information, Continue reading
First steps to handling divorce proceedings
As the festive season gives way to the post-Christmas comedown, divorce season moves up a gear. Continue reading
How to split pensions in a divorce: The three main options explained – and the many pitfalls to avoid
Pensions are often neglected in divorce settlements despite their value to both partners as a joint asset in a marriage. Continue reading
How to deal with debt in a divorce
People in debt can get divorced, but will need to agree a plan or make a formal financial settlement to pay off what they owe. Continue reading
UK shifts from ‘rainy day’ saving to ‘sunny day’ fun – as attitudes towards money are changing
A recent poll of 2,000 adults found that 36% adopt a “you can’t take it with you” approach, preferring to spend their cash while they can, rather instead of saving it for emergencies. Continue reading
Have confidence in your financial goals
Having confidence in your financial goals can make things easier. Continue reading
FCA finds two-thirds of young investors take less than 24 hours to make investment decisions
Latest research from the FCA reveals that young investors are making important investment decisions in a matter of hours, rather than taking the time to check out whether the product is right for them in the long-term. Continue reading