Are our affluent baby boomers reinventing retirement?
From the US, findings in a ‘New Retirement Survey’ from Merrill-Lynch (ML), indicate that many baby boomers (those people of around 65 years, conceived and born in the immediate post World War 2 years) and who are defined as affluent, plan to keep working and earning money during their retirement years. Planned alternate periods of work and leisure indicate significant changes from the tradition of pursuing a retirement of well-earned leisure. Read more →
Aviva’s first working lives report
This research is a powerful insight into the mindset and thinking of employees in the UK today. It is valuable reading for any employer questioning how employees perceive and value pensions and other benefits provided, and then how to shape a benefit structure to obtain maximum value for the company, in attracting and retaining good people. Read more →
A day in the life of Matt Bagguley, Business Support
Last month we took a look at a ‘day in the life of’ one of our consultants, Chris Marsh. This month, we introduce you to Matt Bagguley, who works as part of the business support team in our corporate pensions division. Read more →
Stick or switch – current accounts
There are 54 million current accounts in the UK, and they are big business for the banks. According to research from the Alliance & Leicester, six out of ten adults have never switched their current account and 84% said they have no plans to do so over the next twelve months. The banks know that once they’ve got your custom they are likely to keep it and since you seem to be unlikely to move elsewhere, offering competitive rates for current accounts is not a priority. Read more →
A day in the life of Chris Marsh, Consultant
Last month we took a look at a ‘day in the life of’ one of our paraplanners, Richard Fogarty. Following the same theme, here’s a day in the life of Chris Marsh, a consultant. Read more →
Finance Identity Theft – be on guard
Research undertaken by Infosecurity Europe, has uncovered that 42 per cent of a pool of 1000 surveyed commuters in London said that criminals had stolen their personal data and used it to clear out their accounts or borrow money in their names. Read more →
Protected Rights – new possibilities from April 6th
Historically, many people chose to contract out of the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme using their money purchase pension. Put simply, this meant that the money that would have gone into SERPS went into their personal pensions instead – effectively, they were swapping known benefits from the Government for unknown (but potentially greater) benefits from their own pension scheme. Read more →
ISAs gathering dust, not interest?
An increasing number of new cash ISA products are being sold with additional interest as a bonus percentage, usually for no more than the first year. Investors who do not review their ISA holdings on at least a yearly basis may find that a later interest yield is dramatically less than they expected. Some people with ISA investments believe that it is not easy or even possible to transfer their ISAs from one provider to another. Read more →
Ten top tax saving tips
Nobody likes paying tax, so it makes sense to do whatever you can to minimise the amount of tax that you pay and take advantage of all the allowances that are available to you. Remember, most allowances apply to one particular tax year – and once it has ended the allowances are lost. That’s why Thursday April 5th is such an important day. Read more →
Budget 2012 Overview
Summary
The Chancellor presented his third full Budget since the coalition Government took power on Wednesday, 21st March.
Billed as ‘the budget for working people’ with a promise to ‘back business’, Mr Osborne highlighted the Government’s commitment to three specific areas: a stable economy, a fairer, more efficient and simpler tax system and reforms to support growth. Read more →
