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 →
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 →
Workplace pension advice – the most common questions
Pensions are far from simple, many in our industry take a certain level of knowledge for granted when delivering pension advice. Our experience is that many employees have little understanding of retirement planning and are left to make their own decisions.Guaranteed Deposit Investments – too good to be true? Maybe not…
Many investors are becomingly increasingly disappointed with the return they are receiving on cash held in traditional deposit accounts. With even the best accounts only paying around 3% (before any tax liability is taken into account) savers are not even receiving a return that protects them against inflation. Read more →
Deposit Accounts – Good, Bad and Ugly
Is it really worth having a deposit account?
On Thursday March 5th 2009 the Bank of England reduced its base rate to 0.5% where it has remained ever since – and with fears about European defaults and a possible double-dip recession stalking the economy, it is unlikely to rise in the near future. Indeed, some economists are predicting that any rise before 2014 is now unlikely. Read more →
Consolidating your ISAs – what it is and is it worth it?
Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) were introduced in April 1999 and replaced the earlier Personal Equity Plans (PEPs) and Tax Exempt Special Savings Accounts (TESSAs). They were established to encourage us all to save more, an initiative that many consider a success.
Affording care in later life
Aviva’s latest Real Retirement Survey Report shows that 70% of over-55s do not believe they should pay for care and the majority (81%) are either worried, concerned or terrified about meeting care costs if they are not provided by the state.
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