DOING OUR BEST TO BE EFFICIENT AND SPEEDY!

We work hard to provide the best possible service we can for our clients to help them achieve their objectives and enjoy financial security (although sometimes achieving both these goals can present a challenge!). Here are what a few clients have written recently:

“A big thank-you from both of us. We have used you before and are confident in your advice.” - Mr & Mrs MB of Uckfield

“Totally met our expectations – over and beyond. Very fast and efficient and reliable service.” - Mr & Mrs LC of East Grinstead

SOME SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT OPTIONS

With interest rates at low levels it is a struggle to get much of a return on your cash savings. It is very sensible to keep a reasonable amount of money in cash for emergencies and for anything you will need to pay for in the near future. However, in the longer term you may wish to take a risk with some of your savings by investing them in stocks and shares. One easy way to do this is to use a Stocks and Shares ISA into which you pay monthly. By saving on a monthly basis the risk is less as sometimes you are buying when the market is high and sometimes you are buying when the market is low.


For those with a lump sum they are willing to invest for 5 years or longer, it may be worth looking at an Investment Bond. The money you put in is invested in a range of stocks and shares. You can decide at the start what level of risk you are willing to take, and you can change that whenever you wish. The Investment Bond has a useful feature. Each year you can withdraw up to 5% of the amount originally invested without paying tax. This would give you an annual amount of 5% net each year. This compares well with the 1% to 2% you might get from cash savings options, although you do need to take into account that the value of your investment overall will be going up and down in line with the Stockmarket. We would be happy to discuss this option with you in more detail. Just give us a ring.

CREDIT CARDS – A BLESSING OR A CURSE!

Earlier generations could not spend money they had not already earned, because they had no choice! The invention of credit cards has changed this. They provide a useful tool but also one that can easily lead to disaster. As with any tool they work well when they are used properly. Using a credit card for on-line purchases, for an alternative to cash when you are travelling abroad, etc. are all very valid. But one has to hold the line and make sure that one pays off the amount owing in full each month when it is due. It can become very difficult to clear credit card debts once they are allowed to build up and the interest is increasing.

STAYING UP TO DATE

Recently when completing our Lasting Power of Attorney, my wife and I had occasion to review our Wills. Written 25 years ago, needless to say that they needed updating for various reasons including the fact that one of the executors we had appointed to look after our children had recently passed away. The moral of the story is to do a regular review of these important matters.

MAXIMUM PENSION ALLOWANCE

While the rules are more complex for high earners, for most people with a personal pension plan, the maximum they can contribute to their pension is £40,000 per year or the amount of their annual taxable earnings, if less. Contact us if you want to find out what your maximum contribution would be.

There is also a maximum Pension Lifetime Allowance. The Government has put a limit on how much you can build up in your pension over your lifetime. This currently amounts to £1,055,000 and is intended to increase each year in line with the rate of inflation. For those with pensions related to their salary and years of service, there is a formula which gives an equivalent value that can be built up.

PENSION TIPS

If you are employed, do take advantage of the Workplace Pension your employer is required to offer – even if you will be working only a few years. Currently you are required to contribute 5% of your pay and your employer must contribute a further 3%. The Government also adds an additional amount in the way of a tax rebate. For a person paying the 20% basic rate of tax, for every £4.00 they put into their pension, they end up with approximately £8.00 in their pension pot. In other words they have doubled their money – not a bad deal! For a person paying higher rate tax, the return is even better. The Workplace Pension is, effectively, a pay increase and should not be ignored.

Besides being a pot of money to use from age 55 onwards, a pension policy also provides a useful source of life assurance. Should you die before you take your pension benefit, the value will be paid to whomever you have nominated as the beneficiary. If your death is before age 75, the beneficiary will receive the value of your pension fund free of all taxes. If you die age 75 or older, the beneficiary will receive the pension fund value subject to the beneficiary’s level of tax. Note: do remember to fill out a Nomination of Beneficiary form for any pension you have so that the money goes to whoever you really want it to go to!

Do keep in mind your options from age 55 (currently): 25% of the pension fund is available as tax-free cash; the balance is available as an annuity (guaranteed income) or can be left invested with the option to take an income from it whenever you choose. The annuity can be a lifetime annuity which pays out as long as you live, or a fixed term annuity which pays an income for a fixed number of years and then provides a guaranteed lump sum at the end of that term. Note: the income from an annuity will be taxed in the same way as if you had earned the income. And if you leave it invested, any money you withdraw from it subsequently, whether as occasional lump sums or a regular income, will also be treated as earned income and taxed accordingly.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR STATE PENSION

The State Pension Age is the age at which you can start drawing your State Pension. While the State Pension is not a fortune, it is still a useful guaranteed income and worth playing for. To get the maximum under the current rules you will need to have worked, and paid National Insurance, for 35 years. To help with your planning in this regard use the State Pension Forecast facility the Government provides. This will tell you when you can expect to receive your State Pension, how much it is likely to be and what you can do to catch up any missed years.

Go to www.nidirect.gov.uk/article/check-your-state-pension.

And do remember that you can delay taking your State Pension. Those still working on a significant salary when they reach their State Pension age, could minimise tax by postponing taking their State Pension until their income decreases. For each year you delay taking your State Pension, the amount you receive when you do start taking it will have increased by 5.8% for each year you have postponed it. Generally, however, most people are probably best advised to take their State Pension as soon as they are entitled to do so.