Financial News Update we 12/03/2010

Hi, hope you have had a good week?

As we speculate over what will happen on March 24th and whether that also means an election in early May (http://bit.ly/amRTiD) it reminds us that we can only plan for what we know now and “expect” or would like to happen in the future… but like most things all good planning should have some contingency options too!

The “double dip” concern continues (http://bit.ly/aMLjvx) but I, for one, think we have all experienced a much needed “cleansing” of the market over the last few years. The previous growth and, dare I say it, exuberant expenditure we all enjoyed was simply not sustainable – what do you think?

Estate Planning

Doing nothing is a risky inheritance tax strategy http://bit.ly/bNsIZv
Probate: inheritance tax, mistakes, Hastings-Bass and disinherited children http://bit.ly/cpmpmf
Update: personal tax and trusts http://bit.ly/cykrRc

Long Term Care

The NHS: the cradle-to-grave service faces its toughest test yet http://bit.ly/aZzX0R
'Parties must commit to social care solutions' http://bit.ly/bQwtsf
Millions face 10% death tax: Labour plan to fund elderly care http://bit.ly/anfbI8

Retirement

Employees face more pension cuts http://bit.ly/dquYlM
Enhanced pension annuity sales rise http://bit.ly/dlYLNr
Can equity release solve pensions crisis? http://bit.ly/a5A0cs
Pension Protection Fund takes on another seven failed schemes http://bit.ly/956nJb

Investments

Isa insight: Japan funds http://bit.ly/d1PTgP
‘The simple, tax-efficient way to save money…’ http://bit.ly/aCkxmj
Tax Planning Special: CGT http://bit.ly/d0I7k9

Appreciate I have mentioned this a few times already but don’t forget 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 a decrease 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 and as per one of the articles below, 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.

A Guide to ISA’s as well as the lastest newsletter is available via the website (http://wealthifa.wordpress.com/guides/).

Alternatively, view/download online at http://bit.ly/bnnX9E

Think thats all for this week, have a great weekend!

Regards
Kieron

http://www.wealthifa.com