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The purpose of these posts is to report article content that may be of interest. Any information should not be construed as specific financial advice. Therefore, before any financial decision is made or plans are implemented, independent financial and/or legal and/or accounting advice should be sought.

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Friday 26 February 2010

Financial News Update we 26/02/2010

The Spanish are not happy this week, following proposals to increase the state retirement age from 65 to 67 (http://bit.ly/cNvaGc)... But I wonder, how long will it be before we see something similar?

Talking of changes, and before we look at the articles from the last seven days or so, I thought I would remind you of some significant ones coming up on home soil.

The new tax year brings not only, an increase in the minimum age from which we can access savings within a private pension pot (from 50 to 55) but also in the amount of time allowed to back date a claim for (higher rate) tax relief on Pensions, which will reduce to 4 years from April 6th.

So if you know of anyone who is either, aged 50 – 55 and thinking of retiring in the next few years, or is a higher rate tax payer and has NOT claimed higher rate tax relief via a tax return for their pension contributions over the last few years, it could well be worth mentioning!...

On the plus side, we will also see an increase in the amount that can be saved within an Individual Savings Account (ISA) from £7,200 to £10,200 per annum for those under 50.

Estate Planning

Parents see IHT benefits of equity release http://bit.ly/bjS803
STEP Event: Tax, Trusts & Estates Conference (London) http://bit.ly/baya6U

Long Term Care

Political standoff over long-term care http://bit.ly/c2VAed
Finding a solution to the problems of old age http://bit.ly/b3wFuW
LGA's Lord Best set to delay Personal Care at Home Bill http://bit.ly/bYgvfE

Retirement

Employees offered pension alternatives http://bit.ly/9e7Cnv
Pensions are now obsolete – here's what we need to do about it http://bit.ly/c8cavo
Pensions tax relief time limit to be cut http://bit.ly/9qXj8e
Today’s thirty somethings ‘must work to 70 to pay for their old age’ http://bit.ly/bsyiBa

Investments

Two kick-starts for a revival of investment trusts http://bit.ly/dtHvkh
Isa savers miss out on tax breaks http://bit.ly/alJFZF
Why should savers use a savings bond? http://bit.ly/9OF9b4

Have a good weekend!

Regards
Kieron

http://www.wealthifa.com

Friday 19 February 2010

Financial News Update we 19/02/2010

Well, what a stir HMRC has caused recently, firstly they made their views clear on the legal profession and their role in giving tax advice (http://bit.ly/b2qEUq) and now it would seem they are targeting the financial profession with suggestions they will pursue anyone giving advice - resulting in a reduction in tax revenue - but is that not the point of the advice in the first place?!...

Oh well, at least they have agreed to extend the consultation for now (http://bit.ly/d6HWfT) , otherwise no more ISA advice for a start!...

Otherwise, it’s been pretty quiet this week but a few articles worth mentioning…

Estate Planning

A death tax is the fairest one. Yet now no voter will buy it http://bit.ly/bqKsy1

Long Term Care

Mandy attacks Cameron's death tax 'wrecking ball' http://bit.ly/cRZLxO

Retirement

More flexibility in third way pensions http://bit.ly/cZo7fP
Overseas pensions may look good, but beware the sting http://bit.ly/bX0NYZ
Retirement planning savings 'not keeping pace with inflation' http://bit.ly/9ILk0W

Investments

ISA savers may experience 'difficulties' in 2010 http://bit.ly/9NqMUi
Isa Insight: bond funds http://bit.ly/bK8f1b
Which funds are the best bet for the better off? http://bit.ly/aaKdIT
Where the experts would invest now http://bit.ly/bKBzAD

Lastly, just in case next time “it’s you!”, here are a few ideas from The Guardian on how to spend... sorry, I mean manage, your lottery millions! http://bit.ly/cI2RAv

Regards
Kieron

http://www.wealthifa.com

Friday 12 February 2010

Financial News Update we 12/02/2010

A quieter week this week although it’s not long now before the minimum age to retire in the UK increases from 50 to 55… makes you wonder doesn’t it , with the recently announced proposals on retirement rules in Greece, could there be more change ahead?.... Short BBC Video gives more detail http://bit.ly/9A2AuR

Estate Planning

Tory inheritance tax plans show lack of fairness http://bit.ly/bhCFWL

Long Term Care

How will you pay for your long-term care? http://bit.ly/aoQlsQ
Gordon Brown pledges one-to-one cancer care in England http://bit.ly/c0Qwcg
Government 'death tax' to pay for long-term care http://bit.ly/bntSEo
So much for a cross party concensus then? http://bit.ly/cZhDc9

Retirement

Low interest rate 'hitting some people in retirement' http://bit.ly/dnu3tp
Tories propose pension flexibility http://bit.ly/b9S2wJ
Top 5 Most Important Pension Annuity Facts http://bit.ly/97kC6W
Pensions hit by lower investment returns http://bit.ly/bPnuzT

Investments

The Enterprise Investment Scheme explained http://bit.ly/cxL1Z5
Times: Five top tax tips for middle Britain http://bit.ly/cG5cQt
Guardian: End of tax year is a time to perk up http://bit.ly/9Hqadr

Have a good weekend!

Regards
Kieron

http://www.wealthifa.com

Friday 5 February 2010

Financial News Update we 05/02/2010

Hope you have had a good week this week?

Retirement and Pensions are very topical at present although we cannot ignore the vote scouring pieces being released on a daily (or is it hourly?!) basis but I am sure it will all calm down after the election?....

Rates and QE are expected to be kept on hold until after the election but are we on target for inflation? http://bit.ly/9JvNfw

Estate Planning

Why this man chose farms over funds http://bit.ly/bCAdDD
How to get 65% tax relief when Pension Planning http://bit.ly/c3UTnF
Why does taxing the rich make ordinary voters angry? http://bit.ly/dnLFCR
STEP Meeting - Which offshore jurisdiction? http://bit.ly/8YWx3C
Anti-avoidance rules can be enforced retrospectively, says High Court http://bit.ly/dgimUr

Long Term Care

Norovirus hits Eastbourne http://bit.ly/b5IY5J
Not all Care Homes are the same… http://bit.ly/cm8ypP
Governments Long Term Care sums under fire http://bit.ly/dwESRj

Retirement

Investors warned over ‘lifestyle’ funds http://bit.ly/a0mtvq
British Airways counts the cost of final salary pensions http://bit.ly/diIel5
Calls for higher standards on Equity Release advice http://bit.ly/bffqIp
In favour of scrapping annuities at 75? http://bit.ly/cHMjll

Investments

Investment trusts planning early divis to avoid tax hike http://bit.ly/aLCbQp
Isa uptake has been 'huge' in 2010 http://bit.ly/b6i6E6
UK Equities driving ISA uptake http://bit.ly/cua2TS

Lastly, an interesting viewpoint on the older generation in this Times article entitled “We risk raising a new generation of Holdens”, what do you think? http://bit.ly/9f6kB9

Have a good weekend!

Regards
Kieron

http://www.wealthifa.com