Financial News Update we 29/01/2010

Although the last 12 months rise in the FTSE has tailed off somewhat, and there has been a bit of a dip in January, it would seem judging by some of the articles this week that general optimism seems to be returning which makes sense as we are (officially at least) out of a recession – which all sounds like quite a good thing really doesn’t it?!... http://bit.ly/cQcrd9

Estate Planning

Inheritance Tax: prepare for the worst case scenario http://bit.ly/9EwQXR
Couples and the tax system http://bit.ly/8YEvNc
HMRC launches medical tax amnesty http://bit.ly/bIDRio
HMRC in retrospective raid on offshore schemes after Court victoryhttp://bit.ly/b7EroE
Scottish solicitors warned not to award themselves legacies or administration rights http://bit.ly/atNmVK
On-line filing deadline this Sunday http://bit.ly/cw1kiu

Long Term Care

Rules switch causes one funded resident more anguish http://bit.ly/c7irok
Can father get help with care home rent? http://bit.ly/cuCzUC
New Equity release plan offers care hope for those on low income http://bit.ly/cT6DaP

Retirement

Annuity rates rebound from record lows http://bit.ly/clr8rL
Beware 'sale and rent back' eviction threat http://bit.ly/axzlbm
Millions face a year's freeze on pensions http://bit.ly/aW1OjT
Shares beat property in profits race http://bit.ly/df4KcF
Altmann attacks pension claim http://bit.ly/amZW03
Scrap fixed retirement age, says equality body http://bit.ly/dbekU6
One in five to rely on state in retirement http://bit.ly/adBpgY
Pensioner poverty 'drops by a third' http://bit.ly/aG8iOu

Investments

How to avoid the 50 per cent rate http://bit.ly/cmK045
Capital gains still efficient for high earners http://bit.ly/d0boyc
Record inflation surge adds to savers' woes http://bit.ly/cjD8vj
How to overcome the spike in inflation http://bit.ly/9Uz9gU
Smoothly does it with absolute return funds http://bit.ly/ckwhgo
National Savings to launch new savings account http://bit.ly/bJra5a

Lastly, some good points made in this article on ‘How to get the best from a financial adviser’ http://bit.ly/cgyvNF

Have a good weekend

Regards
Kieron

http://www.wealthifa.com

WealthIFA Financial News Update

Obviously the news has been dominated this week by events in Haiti and, with the sight of that little boy found the other night lifting his arms in triumph at the on looking rescuers, I am left to hope there will be others who display equal amounts of endurance and strength?... http://bit.ly/8UMjPM

It certainly puts things into perspective…

In other news…

Estate Planning

Families Without Wills Run Risk Of An Inheritance Battle http://bit.ly/8JkNQe
Farmland proves safe haven in tough times http://bit.ly/5siETs
Worried about inheritance tax? Why not build “some” houses?!.. http://bit.ly/8NVdrw
Campaigners challenge unfair rules on inheritance tax http://bit.ly/7uNMYE
IHT mitigation offering is diversified with the inclusion of commercial farming http://bit.ly/4A8FZE
Making love blossom with the taxman’s help http://bit.ly/4ZRGRr
Trust reform "could boost charitable donations by GBP74 billion" http://bit.ly/6mwc1C
Scotland prepares to regulate will-writers http://bit.ly/6S4sTt

Long Term Care

The price of care for elderly relatives http://bit.ly/6ddlPv
Vitamin D supplementation 'can reduce falls in care homes' http://bit.ly/5tXxkV
Alzheimer’s - An Overview http://bit.ly/8WChXG

Retirement

Aviva freezes with profits bonus levels http://bit.ly/7l4lQV
Retirement age debate http://bit.ly/7EFYOM
A hole in the pension safety net http://bit.ly/7FZZuj
Consumers unaware of pensions age change http://bit.ly/5d9rs9
The age-old problem of mandatory retirement http://bit.ly/736Rr5
FSA fines Standard Life £2.45m http://bit.ly/6G5eXE
Many Small Businesses Think the Retirement Age Should be Scrapped http://bit.ly/4WTjJd
Tax sending UK pensions abroad http://bit.ly/81FCA7
Inflexible pensions will be replaced by platforms, say tax experts http://bit.ly/7qO9Xh

Investments

The funding 'secret' with big tax breaks http://bit.ly/5A5vXq
Are banks stealing my Isa cash? http://bit.ly/5oPqNf
So, which savings accounts beat inflation? http://bit.ly/5gnF09
Reits prepare for next property cycle http://bit.ly/8cNIzx

Have a good weekend...

Regards
Kieron

http://www.wealthifa.com

WealthIFA Financial News Update

Well, as the snow finally subsides around Tunbridge Wells, perhaps now we can all begin the year in earnest?!...

So, if it is true that the over 50s are the majority of voters (http://bit.ly/6FWDHP), it is not difficult to understand why retirement is such a hot topic however, it would seem a common way forward is harder to find than you might expect?...

Having said that I am wondering what they will discuss once the election furore is over?... http://bit.ly/5rHtCH

Estate Planning

Opinion: Tax is needed to reduce our debt http://bit.ly/4sUtEV
Conservative IHT threshold increase will benefit just 12000 homeowners: http://bit.ly/4T4WqW
Proper Distribution http://bit.ly/5tLVGR
Bankruptcy and Estates http://bit.ly/91Mb31
Power of attorney should be made at same time as will, says government http://bit.ly/7u9urQ

Long Term Care

Jobs of the Future: The human aspect will still be needed (Number 8) http://tinyurl.com/ycp46k2
Helping the elderly stay in their homes: http://bit.ly/82kv7B
Plea for more cash for care homes: http://bit.ly/5bJhaK

Retirement

More firms shunning high cost pensions http://bit.ly/8wNnhf
Personal pension scheme named: http://bit.ly/6ynGv0
Case Study: Finding suitable SIPP investments http://bit.ly/7HF6ZR
Top tips to profit in an election year http://bit.ly/5Ojm8x
Promote good pensions now, URGENT action is required http://bit.ly/55nWmo
Has the stock market really put the profit back into 'with-profits'? http://bit.ly/7WMZ6P
Let's improve future pensions, not demonise existing ones http://bit.ly/78NnI5
Companies still struggling to plug pension deficits http://bit.ly/8D2tRx
Abolishing retirement age may stop people saving, say pension experts http://bit.ly/91iBeN
Standard Life “Retirement review welcome” http://bit.ly/5Xl5EK
Harriet Harman “…Retirement age rules 'arbitrary'…” http://bit.ly/5aXOn8
Backing for Harman retirement age review from another industry expert http://bit.ly/6FWDHP
Conservatives won't bail out Pension Protection Fund http://bit.ly/7PG6af
Pensions shake-up to be simplified http://bit.ly/6yK5ws
Jump in OAPs using homes to clear debt http://bit.ly/7eQBBa
But the government says, forced retirement age will not be abolished http://bit.ly/78cCwL

Investments

Funds that give you tax breaks for going green http://bit.ly/6F7RDE
Investment trusts offer alternative to their more popular cousins http://bit.ly/8lIUZJ
NS&I savings bond payments delayed http://bit.ly/7vuvsJ
Banks pocketing savers' Isa tax bonus http://bit.ly/7l4MoM
Useful year end tax planning tips to consider before April 2010 http://bit.ly/4UyQNT

And lastly, it looks as though it could be a long retirement for some of us as it emerges that one in five has the age-defying 'centenarian gene'.. http://bit.ly/6PcAEU

On that cheerful note, have a good week!

Regards
Kieron

http://www.wealthifa.com