Pension Consolidation

Posted by Rebecca Harbrow on Wednesday 20th March 2024

Jenny is a 47-year-old Account Manager with a long and varied CV.

She hasn’t quite had more jobs than hot dinners but, when she thinks about the various pensions she’s acquired over the years, sometimes it feels that way.

Jenny has recently been considering consolidating pensions. But is combining her pensions necessarily the best way forward?

There are several potential advantages of consolidating your pensions.

Easier to manage - One of the main advantages Jenny might gain by combining her pensions is it should be easier for her to man...


Preparing for retirement: the road to financial freedom

Posted by Rebecca Harbrow on Friday 8th March 2024

Retirement isn’t just about sipping cocktails on a beach; it’s about having the financial security to do so. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to pave your way to financial freedom when it comes to your time to retire. However, it requires you to put in the work as the amount of money you need, will depend on the type of lifestyle you are picturing for yourself.

Start with a private pension

A private pension is a separate plan you can set up for yourself, where you contribute from your earnings, which pays you a pension after retirem...


Spring Budget 2024: Winners and Losers

Posted by Rebecca Harbrow on Wednesday 6th March 2024

At 12.30pm today, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt announced the UK Spring Budget, as well as the economic and fiscal forecast by the Office of Budget Responsibility.

These legislative announcements are game-changers for Britain's economy, and Hunt’s announcements included a number of sweeping changes that could potentially affect the personal finances of everyone living and working in the United Kingdom.

In laying out the Spring Budget, Hunt reinforced the government’s dedication to building the British economy while also helping...


Your Annual ISA Allowances

Posted by Rebecca Harbrow on Wednesday 28th February 2024

ISAs offer flexible, tax efficient savings and are a good way to make your money work harder for you. Take a look at this latest information (select the image to view all pages)

 

An ISA is a medium to long term investment, which aims to increase the value of the money you invest for growth or income or both. The value of your investments and any income from them can fall as well as rise. You may not get back the amount you invested.

HM Revenue and Customs practice and the law relating to taxation are complex and subject to individu...


End of Year Tax Checklist

Posted by Rebecca Harbrow on Wednesday 21st February 2024

As we approach the end of the tax year, it's a good time to start thinking about how to make the most of the tax reliefs and allowances you’re entitled to, before they are lost. We’ve put together a checklist to ensure you’re aware of all the ways to make sure you don’t miss out.

Open or top up your ISA

You can hold up to £20,000 in your ISA in the 2023/2024 tax year and split the contribution, between either a Cash ISA or Stocks and Shares ISA.

Use your pension allowance

Usually if you’re under 75 can contribute to a pension and receive...


The essentials you need to know about credit checks before borrowing money

Posted by Rebecca Harbrow on Wednesday 7th February 2024

The information a lender finds during a credit check is important – it could affect whether you’re able to borrow money, including through a mortgage, and the interest rate you’re offered. Yet, they can also seem perplexing.

Indeed, a Royal London survey found that a third of Brits had never looked at their credit report.

The good news is that we can help you cut through the jargon, so you feel more confident next time you apply for a loan.

Lenders usually carry out a credit check to assess how much risk you pose

Lenders carry out a cr...


Additional Health Services Included in your Protection Insurance

Posted by Rebecca Harbrow on Wednesday 31st January 2024

Have a healthy new year with the additional health services included in your protection insurance

As a new year begins you may want a fresh start for you and your families’ health. Did you know that many insurance policies offer access to a range of health and wellbeing services that can help? You also don’t need to make a claim to use them as your protection policies aren’t just there for when things go wrong.

Often called added value benefits, these services can help you and your family start or maintain good health and make your lives e...


Mortgages

Posted by Rebecca Harbrow on Friday 26th January 2024

A quick guide to getting a mortgage and buying your new home

Most of us will borrow money to buy a property at some point in our lives. Whether you’re buying your first home, buying to let or remortgaging, it’s a big commitment.

Here are some key facts to help you feel more confident about your financial decisions.

The different types of mortgages

The types of mortgages vary, depending on how long the term lasts, how much you pay every month and the interest rate.

  • Fixed rate

The most common length of fixed-rate mortgages are two - ...


How Financial Advice Adds More Value to your Life than you may realise

Posted by Rebecca Harbrow on Wednesday 24th January 2024

The cost of living crisis is causing many to re-evaluate the benefits of financial advice.

 

Traditionally, the value of financial advice has been measured by monetary results of investment performance and returns. Today, the cost of living crisis is causing many to re-evaluate the benefits of financial advice.

These days, financial planning is about more than simply looking after your money and protecting your wealth. As well as helping you see results in pounds and pence growth, we can also help ensure you are prepared to meet the cha...


Make The Most of Your Income By Taking Advantage of The Tax Allowances Available to You

Posted by Rebecca Harbrow on Thursday 18th January 2024

Did you know that tax breaks could help boost your salary, savings and investments?

It’s easy to miss out on their full benefits as tax can be complex. But with help from your adviser, you can explore the following tax allowances in more detail.

For married couples or those in a civil partnership

You might be able to take advantage of the marriage tax allowance. It allows one half of a couple who earns less than the income tax threshold (which is £12,570) to transfer up to £1,260 to their higher-earning spouse – who must be a basic rate t...


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