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<title><![CDATA[Scottsdale Consulting]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/]]></link>
<atom10:link xmlns:atom10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/ScottsdaleConsulting" /><feedburner:info uri="scottsdaleconsulting" /><atom10:link xmlns:atom10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" rel="hub" href="http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/" /><feedburner:browserFriendly></feedburner:browserFriendly><item>
<title><![CDATA[Work Place Pensions - We can Help]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Boosting retirement 
saving among UK workers
Millions of people are not saving enough to have the income they are likely to want in old ageUp to 11 million workers will now start to be automatically enrolled into a workplace pension which commenced from October last year. Larger employers were the first, with small and medium-sized employers following over the next six years.A workplace pension is a way of saving for retirement arranged by an individual's employer. It is sometimes called a 'company pension', an 'occupational pension' or a 'works pension'.The fact is that millions of people are not saving enough to have the income they are likely to want in retirement. Life expectancy in the UK is increasing and at the same time people are saving less into pensions.In 1901, for every pensioner in the UK there were 10 people working. In 2010, for every pensioner there were 3 people working. By 2050, it is expected that this will change to just 2 workers.Automatically enrolling workers
Auto-enrolment is the Government's key strategy to boost retirement saving among UK workers, at a time when employers have been closing company schemes, particularly the most generous final-salary pensions.Employers will automatically enrol workers into a workplace pension who:are not already in a qualifying pension schemeare aged 22 or overare under State Pension ageearn more than &pound;9,440 a year (this figure is reviewed every year), and work or usually work in the UK
Required by law
For the first time employers are required by law to automatically enrol all eligible workers into a workplace pension and make a contribution to it. The Pensions Regulator is responsible for ensuring employers comply with the new law and have produced guidance to help employers to do this. They will write to each employer before the date they are required to start enrolling workers into a workplace pension, and depending on employer size, on at least one other occasion.One of the employer duties relating to automatic enrolment is that employers are required by law to provide the right information in writing, to the right individual at the right time, so that people know how automatic enrolment will affect them.Dates for your diary
The date on which workers are enrolled, called a staging date, depends on the size of the company they work for and is being rolled out over the next six years.Large employers (with 250 or more workers) started automatically enrolling their workers from October 2012 to February 2014 Medium employers (50 - 249 workers) will have to start automatically enrolling their workers from April 2014 to April 2015Small employers (49 workers or fewer) will have to start automatically enrolling their workers from June 2015 to April 2017New employers (established after April 2012) will have to start automatically enrolling their workers from May 2017 to February 2018Once The Pensions Regulator has notified employers of their date to enrol eligible workers into a workplace pension, employers can choose to postpone automatic enrolment for up to three months from that date. If they choose to postpone, employers must inform those workers in writing, including notice of their right to opt-in before the end of the postponement period.
Employers can also use the 'postponement period' for any newly eligible workers.National Employment Savings Trust (NEST)
NEST is a trust-based, defined contribution pension scheme. It was specifically established to support automatic enrolment and make sure all UK employers have access to a suitable pension scheme for their employer duties. The scheme is not-for-profit and the Trustee has a legal duty to act in its members' best interests. It is designed to be straightforward and easy for employers to use.NEST offers a low-cost way for people to put money away for their retirement. NEST members have one retirement pot for life that they can keep paying into if they stop working for a period or become self-employed.Tax-free lump sum
Most people will be automatically enrolled into a Defined Contribution scheme or money purchase scheme. This means that all the contributions paid into your pension are invested until you retire.The amount of money you have when you retire depends on how much has been paid in and how well investments have performed. In most schemes when you retire you can take some of your pension as a tax-free lump sum and use the rest to provide a regular income.
The Government has set a minimum amount of money that has to be put into a Defined Contribution scheme by employers and workers.
Contribution levels
The minimum contribution level is just that, a minimum. Employers will be able to contribute more than the minimum if they wish, and many already do. Individuals can also contribute more than the minimum if they want to. These amounts can be phased in to help both the employers and employees manage costs.Some people may be automatically enrolled into a Defined Benefit or Hybrid pension scheme. This type of scheme may also be known as a 'final salary' or 'career average' scheme. If you are enrolled into one of these schemes, the amount you get when you retire is based on a number of things, which may include the number of years you've been a member of the pension scheme and your earnings. In most schemes you can take some of your pension as a tax-free lump sum and the rest as a regular income.Alternative arrangements can apply for Defined Benefit and Hybrid pension schemes to help them manage the introduction of auto enrolment. For example, the full provisions can be postponed until 30 September 2017 for existing scheme members. New staff will have to be enrolled from the employer's staging date. If employers or individuals do not know what type of scheme they are using for automatic enrolment, their employer will be able to tell them.Challenges of this new legislation
Not surprisingly, with new legislation comes new jargon and employers will need to become familiar with terms such as 'eligible jobholders' and 'qualifying pension schemes' when considering their duties.We can help you through the challenges of this new legislation and provide a full analysis of your options, so that you can identify and implement an agreed plan that best suits your requirements. The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. For more information please contract one of our corporate specialists today.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-05-15T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=217]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[News Update - Smart Money]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[The latest issue of Scottsdale's Smart Money magazine is available for download from our Smart Guide Library
There are some hot topics including the new 'Flat Rate Pension' and 'Flexible Drawdown' rules.
Please browse this resource by accessing the Library tabs]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-05-13T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=215]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Long Term Care Seminar]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Woodfines Solicitors and Scottsdale Consulting would like to invite you to an informative seminar on the legal and financial issues surrounding planning for your own or your relatives&rsquo; future long term care needs.
Date:   Thursday 6th June
Time:   4pm &ndash; 6pm
Venue: Bedford Golf Club
Carnoustie Drive, Great Denham,
Bedford, MK40 4FF
Please download your personal seminar invitation with the booking form to reserve you place.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-05-08T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=214]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[New Financial Regulator - Interest Only Mortgage Review]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[The New regulator the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) has today ordered mortgage lenders to contact borrowers with Interest only mortgages in order to alert them to the fact that they may be storing up a problem for the future, when their mortgage term ends. At that point no capital will have been repaid and will be due.
Many home owners have chosen this route because of financial constraints, but there are actions that people can take and the earlier the better.
If this affects you, our mortgage and investment specialists will be delighted to help construct a plan to address the need.
Please contact us today for a confidential conversation.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-05-02T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=212]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Mortgages - Stamp Duty Specials]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[From today, a major mortgage provider will be launching a range of 'Stamp Duty Specials' for a limited period. These new products will pay 100% of the Stamp Duty Land Tax for first time buyers who fall into the 1% bracket
For property purchase price between &pound;125,001 and &pound;250,000, the payment will therefore amount to between &pound;1,250 and &pound;2,500 and will be made to the conveyancer on completion.
Please contact one of our mortgage specialists today for a personal illustration.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-05-01T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=211]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Changes to Auto Enrolment Pension Rules]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Now that Auto Enrolment is here and will affect all employers over the next few years, it is not surprising that there are already changes afoot.
DWP published a consultation document in March 2013 detailing how it proposes to change the rules around automatic enrolment.
The consultation has come about as a result of information gathered from employers, advisers, payroll providers and The Pensions Regulator about their experiences of automatic enrolment so far.
The proposed changes are designed "...to improve the operation of automatic enrolment for employers and pension scheme providers".
It's worth noting that these are not final proposals as they are open to consultation until 7th May 2013.
After the consultation process is completed, the DWP are keen to make the changes in time for April 2014.
The intention is to:

Include      changes to the Pensions Acts in the next Pensions Bill 
Lay      other amending regulations before Parliament before the summer recess on      18 July 2013.

&nbsp;
The DWP will also consider bringing other changes in sooner, if there is a demand to do so in the responses to the consultation.
Scottsdale will be running a seminar for employers at Cranfield University on 25 July at which we will address the issues and opportunities. The sought after Key Note speaker Fiona Tait, Scottish Life Pensions Specialist, will be presenting. More details to follow:
If you would be interested in reserving a place at the lunch time seminar, please contact us and we will keep you informed and send you a personal invitation.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-04-29T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=210]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Investment Trusts]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[



Trust in       your future
A renaissance period for investment trusts
Investment trusts have had to exist in the shadow of unit trusts for the past few decades. But in rising markets investment trusts generally outperform other funds and can deliver more stable, growing income streams.
Superior         performance records Investment trusts are in a renaissance period and are coming up on the radar of more people, far more than five to ten years ago. There is a lot more attention on the superior performance records of these trusts versus their equivalent open-ended funds.
Investment trusts can play a useful role in your investment line-up. They were born in 1868, are closed-end products listed on the London Stock Exchange and unlike their more popular rival, unit trusts, they have a fixed number of shares in circulation.
Broader economic market You can buy these shares when the trust is first launched in the offer period or you can trade them on the stock market. Although a trust's share price generally moves in line with the value of its investments, the price can be affected by a range of factors, such as demand from investors and the situation in the broader economic market.
Buying or selling shares when the price is below the value of the trust's assets is called trading at a 'discount', while the opposite scenario of the shares being higher than the asset value means you're trading them at a 'premium'.
Increase your returns In contrast to other types of fund, investment trusts can borrow money to boost investment. This is known as 'gearing'. Although gearing can increase your returns when markets are on the up, it can exacerbate your losses if markets are falling. The more gearing the trust has, the more likely your gains, or losses, will be magnified. Gearing is one of the ways in which investment trusts have managed to beat their unit trust peers.
Aside from higher returns over the long term, investment trusts can provide a more stable, growing income. Whereas unit trusts tend to invest in equities or bonds, investment trusts have the ability to tap harder-to-access areas such as private equity.
Shopping and         finding a bargain The opportunity to buy a trust at discount is like shopping and finding a bargain you know is worth more than the price. But if you're concerned about the price fluctuating or the discount widening even further, trusts tend to have 'control mechanisms' in place.
Historically, most investment trusts have traded at a discount and often traded at high discounts. Now, many have a discount control mechanism where the board can buy back the shares, which is a good thing, to ensure there are not discounts of 40-50 per cent.
Trading at a premium On the flipside, if a trust is trading at a premium, it does not mean it's worth writing off. You need to look at your time horizon. It's less of an issue if you're invested for ten years with a quality manager.
Investment trusts have tended to have lower charges, which can help to boost your gains over the long term. A major benefit of investment trusts is that they are usually cheaper than open-ended funds, and this should help to increase their popularity.
Past performance is not necessarily a guide to the future. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise as a result of market and currency fluctuations and you may not get back the amount originally invested. Tax assumptions are subject to statutory change and the value of tax relief (if any) will depend upon your individual circumstances.




The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. 
For more information please contact one of our specialist advisers.



]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-04-22T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=209]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Equity Release]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Releasing money from your home could give you a more comfortable retirement.
You could:
&bull; Top up your income
&bull; Make some home improvements
&bull; Pay off a mortgage or other debts
&bull; Go on a holiday of a lifetime
&bull; Help your children or grandchildren with their university fees or buy their first home
The choice is yours.
Owning your own house and making it your home, takes time and commitment.  If your heart is set on staying in your home, for as long as you can and downsizing really isn&rsquo;t for you, then equity release may be the answer you are looking for.
Read More on Equity Release
or Contact one of our Equity Release Specialsts today, for an initial chat.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-04-12T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=208]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Is your Family Protected ?]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[



Is your family protected financially?
The cost of bringing up a child until they reach the age of 21 has hit an all-time high 
Having children has never been more expensive, with the cost of bringing up a child until they are 21 at an all-time high of &pound;222,458. This is more than &pound;4,000 up on last year and &pound;82,000 (58 per cent) more than ten years ago, when the first annual Cost of a Child Report [1] from protection provider LV= was published.
Biggest expenditure         for parents Education and childcare remain the biggest expenditure for parents. The cost of education* (including uniforms, after-school clubs and university costs) has increased from &pound;32,593 to &pound;72,832 per child in the last ten years &ndash; a 124 per cent increase. Childcare costs are also up from &pound;39,613 in 2003 to &pound;63,738 today &ndash; a 61 per cent increase.
From birth to age 21, parents spend an average of &pound;19,270 on food and &pound;16,195 on holidays &ndash; which now cost 4 per cent more than last year. In fact, in the last decade, costs have risen in all areas of expenditure apart from clothing, which has seen a 5 per cent drop.
Looking after the pennies Mums and dads all over Britain are tightening their purse strings, with more than three-quarters of parents (76 per cent) forced to make cutbacks to make ends meet. While many are reining in spending on luxuries such as holidays (45 per cent), more than a quarter are also cutting back how much they spend on essentials such as food (27 per cent).
Of those parents who are cutting back, 68 per cent have switched to buying cheaper or value goods. Vouchers and discount codes are also popular, with 56 per cent of these parents using them to save on shopping bills. Many are also trying to boost their income, with 40 per cent selling personal items online or at car boot sales.
Pushing parents' finances to the limit The cost of raising a child continues to soar and is now at a ten-year high. Everyone wants the best for their children, but the rising cost of living is pushing parents' finances to the limit. There seems to be no sign of this trend reversing. If the costs associated with bringing up children continue to rise at the same pace, parents could face a bill of over &pound;350,000 in ten years' time [2]. Over the last ten years, London (&pound;239,123), the South East (&pound;237,233) and the East of England (&pound;233,363) have remained the three most expensive places to raise children. Ten years ago this was closely followed by Wales, whereas now it is Northern Ireland (&pound;232,883).
Families in the South West have seen the biggest hike in costs, now paying &pound;100,077 more per child than they were ten years ago.
Keeping up with the latest technological advances Forget dolls and train sets. Today's children want the same toys as their parents, and the popularity of smartphones, tablets and laptops is adding to the expense of raising a child. Many parents feel under pressure to keep up with the latest technological advances &ndash; even for children as young as three years old. Almost a third (28 per cent) of parents have bought their child an electronic gadget in the last 12 months, with around a fifth (18 per cent) paying out for a laptop or tablet. The average yearly amount parents spend on these gadgets for their child is &pound;302.
Protecting the family's financial future Many families are responding to financial pressures by saving less and spending less. Two-fifths (40 per cent) of parents have reduced the amount they are putting towards savings and a further 26 per cent (up from 22 per cent last year) have cancelled or reviewed insurance policies to try to save money.
Almost half (47 per cent) of parents have no life cover, income protection or critical illness cover in place. While 36 per cent of parents do have life cover, only 11 per cent have critical illness cover and a meagre 6 per cent have income protection.
Catastrophic implications on the family's finances The cost of raising a child won't always be the first thing parents think about when deciding to have a family, and regardless of the cost, people wouldn't change having children for the world. But parents considering cancelling insurance such as life cover or income protection as a way of saving money need to think long term. It could have catastrophic implications on the family's finances if either parent became unable to work or was no longer around.
The cost of raising a child has increased rapidly over the last decade and looks set to continue rising. It is imperative that parents make sure they financially protect themselves and their family and seek professional financial advice to talk about what best suits their needs.
[1] The 'cost of a child' calculations, from birth to 21 years, have been compiled by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) on behalf of LV= in December 2012 and are based on the cost for the 21-year period to December 2012.  The report also includes omnibus research conducted for LV= by Opinium Research from  11-13 December 2012. The total sample size was 2,013 UK adults. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.  [2] If the cost of raising a child continued at the same pace as the last ten years (58 per cent increase), in 2023 the cost would be &pound;351,483.  * Does not include private school fees.  Parents who send their children to private school can add &pound;106,428 for a child at day school, and &pound;195,745 for a child who boards, to the overall cost of raising a child.
Contact us today for a Free Protection Review




]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-04-10T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=206]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Your Options at Retirement]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[



One of the       biggest purchases  you'll ever make
This important one-off decision has long-term consequences if you get it wrong
If you save through a private pension, when you approach retirement age you'll have to decide what to do with the pension fund you have built up. If applicable to you, one option is to buy an annuity. It's important to find an annuity that suits you and provides the best deal because, after your property, an annuity is probably the biggest purchase you will ever make.
An annuity is the annual pension that many people buy with their private pension pots when they retire.
Purchasing your annuity is an important one-off decision that has long-term consequences if you get it wrong. You may not receive the best deal if you just take the annuity offered by the insurer that has been investing your money.
Lack of advice         might be costly You only have one opportunity to shop around for your annuity. Once you have committed to an annuity provider and started to receive an income, the decision can't be reversed. So it is essential that you shop around and obtain professional financial advice to help you through the process.
Last year, the National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF) announced that the lack of advice in this area might be costing half a million retirees each year as much as &pound;1bn in future pension income.
Failure to         shop around The NAPF pointed out that the failure of someone to shop around &ndash; or being unaware they were able to do so &ndash; might reduce their annual pension income by a third. The insurance industry has now agreed to reform its annuity practices, and from 1 March this year insurers will have to conform to new guidelines set down by the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
New guidelines will require insurers to: Provide clear and consistent information, including details on how to shop around for an annuity Highlight the details of enhanced annuities &ndash; the higher pension income available to those with shorter  life expectancy Signpost clients to external advice and support  that is available Give a clear picture of how their products fit into the wider annuity market
The point of retirement Insurers have been obliged since 2002 to draw their clients' attention to the fact that they can shop around for an annuity at the point of retirement.
One of the ways in which people may end up with too small an annuity is by not taking into account their own medical circumstances. Having conditions as seemingly manageable as high blood pressure or diabetes could qualify you for an enhanced annuity, which could pay you more income because your average life expectancy may be less.
Live better in retirement If you are approaching your retirement we can take you through the process step by step to find the best annuity for you. Your retirement should be a special time when you do those things you never had the opportunity to do before. So it's essential you think and plan carefully, as the decisions you take now cannot be undone later. If you are concerned about your retirement provision, please contact us to review your current situation.





The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. For more information please contact us for a free no obligation consultation.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;



]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-04-10T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=207]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Long Term Care Seminar]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Woodfines Solicitors and Scottsdale Consulting would like to invite you to an informative seminar on the legal and financial issues surrounding planning for your own or your relatives&rsquo; future long term care needs.
There are 2 opportunities to attend
Date:   Thursday 21st March
Time:   4pm &ndash; 6pm
Venue: Wavendon Golf Centre
Lower End Road, Wavendon,
Milton Keynes, MK17 8DA
Date:   Thursday 6th June
Time:   4pm &ndash; 6pm
Venue: Bedford Golf Club
Carnoustie Drive, Great Denham,
Bedford, MK40 4FF
Please download your personal seminar invitation with the booking form to reserve you place.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-03-15T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=204]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Top Ten Tax Tips]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Tax planning checklist 2012/13 for you, your family and your business.Make sure you take advantage of the wide range of year-end tax planning opportunities available this year.
Here is our checklist of the main top ten areas to consider for you, your family and your business.For myself AND my family I have...Made the most of my 2012/13 Individual Savings Account (ISA) allowanceTaken advantage of increased pension contributions to reduce taxable income Ensured that I have a tax-efficient gifting strategy
Used my annual capital gains tax exempt amountReviewed my estate planning and my WillFor my business I have...Extracted profit from my business at the lowest tax costMade sure my staff remuneration packages are tax-efficientCarefully considered the timing of asset purchases and salesRecorded any appropriate constructive obligations in respect of employment awardsPlanned the purchase of business equipment to take full advantage of capital allowancesAre you satisfied you are paying the minimum tax necessary? As everyone's circumstances are different, we would be delighted to review yours with you so we can help you make the maximum tax savings.
To discuss how we could help ensure that you are not paying any more tax than you absolutely need to, please contact us for further information.&nbsp;]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-03-15T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=205]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Smart Guide to Financial Independence]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[



Here is an exert from our new 30 page Guide to Financial Independence
A new type       of retiree
First post-war 'baby boomers' pass the old Default         Retirement Age of 65
Securing your eventual financial independence in retirement requires making sure that your plans enable you to achieve this goal. Whatever provision you already have in place must be regularly updated as your circumstances and requirements change, and you need to ensure that you are still saving enough. But for many retirees' the future looks less certain.
The UK is witnessing the march of a new type of retiree as the first post-war 'baby boomers' pass the old Default Retirement Age of 65. According to Aviva's latest Real Retirement Report, more than one in three (39 per cent) over-55s are continuing to receive a wage and nearly half are intent on using their extra earnings to travel more when they finish full-time work.
Data from the latest census in 2011 showed there were 754,800 people aged 64 in England and Wales, and almost 6.5 million people are turning 65 over the next decade compared with 5.2 million in the previous decade. The spike is due to the post-war birth rate soaring when the armed forces returned from the Second World War, with the new-born generation dubbed the 'baby boomers'. Pushing back the boundaries Allied with improved health care, more people are remaining active as they approach retirement age, and the report shows how they are pushing back the boundaries at work and in their leisure time.  23 per cent of 65- to 74-year-olds were still wage earners in December 2012, compared with 18 per cent when the report first launched almost three years ago in February 2010.
Fuelling the rise of income and savings With 55 per cent of 55- to 64-year-olds also still in employment, compared with 41 per cent in February 2010, this trend looks set to continue as more baby boomers pass the age of 65. It has already fuelled the rise of income and savings among over-55s during the last three years. The typical over-55 now has an income of &pound;1,444 each month along with &pound;14,544 in savings (December 2012), compared with a monthly income of &pound;1,239 and savings of &pound;11,590 in February 2010.
Enjoying the fruits of your labour Despite 80 per cent being concerned by rising living costs over the next six months (December 2012), the UK's over-55s are determined to enjoy the benefits of extending their working lives. Nearly half (44 per cent) plan to use their extra time in retirement to travel more, while 42 per cent are focused on spending more time in their gardens.
Socialising is high on the agenda for many over-55s in retirement, with 37 per cent planning to invest extra time in their families and 33 per cent keen to socialise more with friends. The most common motivation  They also have philanthropic intent: two-thirds (66 per cent) of over-55s would be interested in carrying out charity work or volunteering once they have retired. The most common motivation is to give something back to the community (49 per cent) and to stay active by getting out of the house (48 per cent).
A new model for later life It's clear that the first baby boomers are setting out a new model for later life, and getting the most out of their improved physical health and the freedom to continue working for longer. Many people find that staying active in a job helps to keep them young at heart &ndash; with the bonus being that it boosts their earning and savings potential in the process.
The key to making the most of this opportunity is for people to start planning for their 60s and beyond well in advance. In this way, rather than accepting the old retirement stereotypes, you can have the freedom of choice about whether you continue to work or not, rather than feeling forced to carry on out of the demand to meet financial commitments.
Flexible for the future Everyone enjoys using their wealth in different ways. For you, it might be the joy of travel, helping others through philanthropy, sharing your success with family and friends or your passion for collecting. It might be the simple freedom to do what you want, when you want. Whatever your priorities, we can help you use your wealth by ensuring it's working for you now and is structured to be flexible for the future.
Download the full 30 page Guide&nbsp; and contact us to plan your personal route to Financial Independence




]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-03-11T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=202]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Emotional Intelligence Seminar]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[We are jointly sponsoring Emotional Intelligence SeminarPresented By Action CoachIn aid of Age UK Milton KeynesAge UK Milton Keynes is a local independent charity that provides services and support to over 12,000 people in later life in the borough of Milton Keynes every year.Our Home Visiting Service visits over 180 older people every week for a friendly chat and to see that things are generally well. We also run a free, independent and confidential advice service at four locations in Milton Keynes, helping to sort out money worries and claims for welfare benefits as well as answering questions on any aspect of later life. Our Advocacy Service helps isolated and unsupported older people represent their own interests, resolving matters such as financial worries and housing difficulties.
We run a Relief Care Service that enables people looking after someone who is an older person to have a regular break. This may be the only bit of &ldquo;me-time&rdquo; the carer gets each week.All our services are designed to make a real and positive difference to the wellbeing and quality of life of local older people.There are currently over 40,000 people over the age of 60 in Milton Keynes. Nationally this group is expected to increase over the next 15 years by 32%, but in Milton Keynes it is predicted to increase by 70%.By attending this &lsquo;Emotional Intelligence Workshop&rsquo; youare helping to make a difference to the future lives of allof us in Milton Keynes. Money raised in Milton Keynesstays in Milton Keynes. Thank you.Registered charity 1079773. www.ageukmiltonkeynes.org.uk]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-03-11T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=203]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Scottsdale Currency Card]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Have you got yours yet?
Just a reminder that Scottsdale has teamed up with Moneycorp to bring you the  Explorer Currency Card.
Don't leave home without it!
Check out the great features here]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-03-01T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=201]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[UK Credit Rating - Implications]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[According to&nbsp; CRAIG VEYSEY, HEAD OF FIXED INCOME at SANLAM
Moody&rsquo;s Investors&rsquo; Service lowering of the UK&rsquo;s much coveted AAA credit rating was really not that much of a shock. The UK&rsquo;s large and growing debt burden, and weak growth fundamentals, has been firmly in the line of sights of all three major credit rating agencies for several years. The surprise is more that one of these widely discredited rating agencies should finally break ranks, and bring the UK in step with the debt rating of the US, delivered by Standard &amp; Poor&rsquo;s (S&amp;P) in August 2011, and France, delivered by the same agency in Jan 2012. The question investors should be asking is what took you so long?! Despite the newspaper headlines created as a result, we believe that the lack of major surprise here should ensure that the market impact will be pretty limited, at least in terms of the government&rsquo;s borrowing rate in the gilt market. Sterling may not get off so lightly, however...




To read the article in full and how we are   adapting our bond investment strategy to take advantage of the near-term   opportunities&nbsp;click here to download the PDF 
If   you would like to discuss in more detail, please contact   us. 
This   article is for information purposes and should not be treated as a forecast,   research or advice to buy or sell any particular investment or to adopt any   investment strategy. Any views expressed above are based on information   received from a variety of sources which we believe to be reliable, but are   not guaranteed as to accuracy or completeness by Sanlam Private Investments.   Any expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice. Past   performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Investing involves   risk. The value of investments, and the income from them, may fall as well as   rise.



]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-02-26T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=199]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Long Term Care Seminar]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Woodfines Solicitors and Scottsdale Consulting would like to invite you to an informative seminar on the legal and financial issues surrounding planning for your own or your relatives&rsquo; future long term care needs.
There are 2 opportunities to attend
Date: &nbsp;&nbsp;Thursday 21st March
Time: &nbsp;&nbsp;4pm &ndash; 6pm
Venue: Wavendon Golf Centre
Lower End Road, Wavendon,
Milton Keynes, MK17 8DA
Date: &nbsp;&nbsp;Thursday 6th June
Time: &nbsp;&nbsp;4pm &ndash; 6pm
Venue: Bedford Golf Club
Carnoustie Drive, Great Denham,
Bedford, MK40 4FF
Please download your personal seminar invitation with the booking form to reserve you place.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-02-26T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=200]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Pensions -  Government Proposals]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[In 1909 the state pension was introduced in the UK.
&nbsp;It was equivalent to about &pound;20 per week maximum in today&rsquo;s money [five shillings (25p) in 1909]
To qualify for this, the minimum age was 70, for people with an income of less than 12 shillings per week.
Over a century later, the government has published a 'white paper' giving details of its plans to transform the state pension system, which will bring in a single-tier pension of &pound;144 per week in today&rsquo;s prices from around April 2017.
This change will affect many people and, with the equalising of the pension age for men and women and the increase in pension age for all, it is imperative that people start to plan and prepare early for their retirement.
The other major change is the advent of Pension Auto Enrolment. This is being rolled out across the country starting with large companies and eventually mandatory for all companies.
Employers will be obliged to contribute and workers will be automatically enrolled and also then obliged to contribute. (Subject to certain criteria)
With the UK population generally living much longer, the retirement period is being widely and optimistically viewed as a 'third age' when, hopefully, health and vitality will continue and the prospects of a good number of years to enjoy life is the expectation.
The one &lsquo;dark cloud&rsquo; on this otherwise beckoning horizon, is the financial position that families and individuals may find themselves in if they have not financial prepared, or maybe through no fault of their own, economic factors have played against them.
There are a number of things that you can do to prepare
1: Know the facts
&nbsp;
2: Get Good Advice
&nbsp;
3: Start Preparations Early
&nbsp;You can calculate when you&rsquo;ll reach State Pension age or Pension Credit qualifying age and how much you may get in today&rsquo;s money for your basic State Pension, by using the
State Pension calculator
Please contact one of our pension specialists who will be delighted to help you plan for your retirement and your own &lsquo;Third Age&rsquo;]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-02-22T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=198]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Independent or Restricted Advice ?]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[We have retained independent status
Since the financial advice industry regulations changed on 1 January this year, Scottsdale Consulting has retained its independent status.
In the meantime, many others which used to be known as IFAs have become &ldquo;restricted&rdquo; which means that they are only able to provide advice on a limited range of products.This is important news for solicitors, since the Law Society advised its members to only refer clients to independent financial advisors rather than restricted financial advisors to avoid &ldquo;getting tangled up in mis-selling scandals&rdquo;. The full details given by the Law Society are available here .If you are looking for a mutually beneficial alliance with a substantial, well-established IFA company.Please&nbsp; call us on 01908 226400 or&nbsp;
Email n.cooke@sc-ifa.co.ukYou can download our 'Working with Professionals' Guide for an insight into how we would work to suppport you and your clients.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-02-15T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=197]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[ISA Investments - Tax Efficient Savings]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[



Happy ISA       tax year
Don't get bitten - talk to us
This tax year you can shelter up to &pound;11,280 from tax by investing in an Individual Savings Account (ISA). During his Autumn Statement last December, the Chancellor, George Osborne, announced plans to increase the ISA limit to &pound;11,520 from 6 April this year.
ISA allowance  Each tax year you have an ISA allowance. For the tax year 2012/2013 (6 April 2012 until 5 April 2013) you can save up to &pound;5,640 in a Cash ISA with the remainder in a Stocks &amp; Shares ISA, or you can invest your full allowance in a Stocks &amp; Shares ISA. You're only permitted to invest with one Cash ISA provider in each tax year and the same, or another, Stocks &amp; Shares ISA provider.
Make up any unused shortfall If you haven't already used up your full ISA allowance you can't retrospectively make up any unused shortfall later &ndash; it's lost forever. UK residents aged 16 and over can choose to save in a Cash ISA or, if they are 18 or over, a Stocks &amp; Shares ISA or a combination of both. Parents or guardians can also open a Junior ISA for children under 18.
The interest on a Cash ISA isn't taxed, so all the interest you earn you keep. With a Stocks &amp; Shares ISA, all gains are free from Capital Gains Tax and you don't need to declare your ISA investments to the taxman.
The value of investments and         the income from them can go         down as well as up, and you         may not get back the full  amount invested. The tax         benefits and liabilities will  depend on individual         circumstances and may         change in the future. Past         performance is not a guide       to the future.




The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. For more information please contact one of our investment specialist today.


]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-02-14T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=196]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Equity Release ]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Nearly 20,000 older people took out Equity Release schemes last year a rise of 15% according to &lsquo;Your Money&rsquo; (Daily Express Money pages)
Releasing money from your home could give you a more comfortable retirement.
You could:
&bull; Top up your income
&bull; Make some home improvements
&bull; Pay off a mortgage or other debts
&bull; Go on a holiday of a lifetime
&bull; Help your children or grandchildren with their university fees or buy their first home
The choice is yours.
Read more about Equity Release, or contact one of our specialist advisers to see if this option would suit your circumstances.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-02-13T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=195]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Mark Carney - proposect of growth]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[The incoming governor of the bank of England, Mark Carney, promised MPs yesterday that;
&lsquo;THE BANK of England could boost growth without creating too much more inflation, as long as it is prepared to be more creative and more flexible......&rsquo;
Read the full story by Tim Wallace at CITY A.M]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-02-08T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=193]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Age UK Milton Keynes - Marathon]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[&nbsp;
Have you ever fancied a challenge?
Age UK Milton Keynes is looking for passionate people to run the Milton Keynes Marathon on Monday 6th May
Would you like to help thousands of older people in Milton Keynes remain safe and independent in their own homes?
Age UK Milton Keynes helps over 12,000 older people in Milton Keynes alone. Funds raised by you will help to improve later life by reducing loneliness and isolation for older people locally.
Did you know there are over 42,000 older people in Milton Keynes and in 10 years time this figure is predicted to be 60,500 and in 20 years time it will double again giving Milton Keynes the largest number of older people in the country.
How can you help?
By registering to run the Milton Keynes marathon for Age UK Milton Keynes and raising just &pound;300 minimum sponsorship you could help 3 members of staff continue to visit 6 older people in Milton Keynes to have a friendly chat and to make sure things are well with them. This could be the only visit they get all week.
&pound;300 could also provide 6 older people in Milton Keynes who are struggling to get in and out of their homes with a ramp. This can bring back their freedom and independence that they have been waiting for and alleviate lonliness and depression that staying at home can bring. 
What happens now?
If you or anyone you know may be interested in signing up then please contact me on this email address or 01908 557891 for more details. It is completley free to register and you will get ongoing support, a free running t-shirt and coverage throughout Age UK Milton Keynes.
To look at the marathon website please go to www.mkmarathon.com
Please would you mind forwarding this e mail around your workplace? 
Thank you for your time and all help is most appreciated. 
I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Kind regards
&nbsp;
Suzanne Campbell LLB
Fundraising Manager
WARM UP BRITAIN THIS BOBBLE DAY ON FRIDAY 8TH FEBRUARY.
RAISE MONEY TO KEEP OLDER PEOPLE WARM AND WELL THIS WINTER BY ASKING THE FUNDRAISING TEAM HOW TO BUY YOUR BOBBLES ON 01908 557891
Join Age UK Milton Keynes&rsquo;s 1st ever 10K race on Sunday 24th February 2013. Walk, jog or run it&rsquo;s an ideal time to get fit this winter and raise money to help older people stay warm and well. For more information or to register please go to www.ageuk.org.uk/10k and put Age UK Milton Keynes.
Why not try an even bigger challenge and register to run the MK Marathon on Monday 6th May 2013 (May day). Age UK Milton Keynes have spaces available and to register your interest please contact Suzanne Campbell on 01908 557891
&nbsp;
Age UK Milton Keynes
The Peartree Centre
1 Chadds Lane
Peartree Bridge
Milton Keynes
MK6 3EB
&nbsp;
Admin Office 01908 550700
www.ageukmiltonkeynes.org.uk
&nbsp;
We&nbsp; work with and for older people to make a real and positive difference that contributes to their wellbeing and quality of life.
Registered charity 1079773.&nbsp; Company limited by guarantee registered no 3897291 (Cardiff)
Age UK Milton Keynes is an Appointed Representative of Age UK Enterprises Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority for insurance mediation.
Think of the environment - please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-02-08T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=194]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[New Low Rate Mortgage Deals]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Good news for home owners and new borrowers.
New low rate mortgages are available from a number of lenders, some less that 2% fixed rate.
The record low rates have been booming since the beginning of the year and have fuelled the housing market and consumer confidence.
Scottsdale&rsquo;s team of mortgage specialists are here to help you find the right deal; whether you are a first time buyer, or want to re-mortgage to a more attractive rate. Mortgages are available for Buy to Let portfolios and new builds.
Please contact us today for a personal consultation.
Tel 01908 226400
Email info@sc-ifa.co.uk]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-02-04T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=191]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[National Bobble Day AGE UK MK]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[National Bobble Day 2013 will be Friday 8th February and Age UK Milton Keynes will be taking part throughout the month to help raise funds to keepolder people warm in winter.We will be selling little coloured bobbles for a &pound;1 to raise funds for the annual Spread The Warmth campaign.Jane Palmer, Chief Executive of the local charity, says &ldquo;Bobble Day 2012 was a great success in Milton Keynes and gave people a chance to get involved and helpchange lives. All the proceeds from the sale of the bobbles will be used in Milton Keynes and help us continue to provide information, advice and practical servicesto help older people keep warm and well in the cold winter months.&rdquo;Join our campaign to warm up Britain. Get involved, have fun and help older people in Milton Keynes feel cosier this winter.Each winter, thousands of older people struggle to stay warm in the winter. In Milton Keynes alone there are over 7500 older people living in fuel poverty. With your help, thousands of older people could enjoy a happier, warmer and more sociable time during the coldest months. Scottsdale is Proud to support Age UK MK and we will be selling and wearing our bobblesContact - Suzanne Campbell LLB - Fundraising ManagerTel 01908 557891
]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-01-30T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=190]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[What our Clients think]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Peter Fisher of New Level Safety wrote:-
'I fully endorse Dominic Andersen and Scottsdale Consulting and recommend their services to anyone needing independent financial advice....'
Read the full testamonial here
To Contact Dominic Andersen, who is a director at Scottsdale 
email: d.andersen@sc-ifa.co.ukAn Industry Adviser since 1994, Dominic provides tailored tax efficient strategies for his long-established Private and Corporate clients.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-01-29T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=189]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Tax Saving Ideas]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[



Tax-saving ideas to  beat the end of tax year
Now is the time you should be reviewing your financial affairs
With the end of the tax year rapidly approaching on 5 April, now is the time to focus on ways to mitigate any tax liability. To make the most of the opportunities available, if you've not already done so, you should start putting plans in place now. Here we look at some of the areas you may need to consider to minimise a potential tax liability.
If your partner pays a lower rate of tax than you, you could consider transferring assets into their name. This makes particular sense if one of you is a non-taxpayer, as your taxable income will be lower than your tax allowances, which means you won't have to pay any tax on savings interest. Interest on savings accounts is usually paid after 20 per cent has been deducted by the provider. Higher rate tax payers pay 40 per cent interest. To receive your interest paid tax free, you will need to complete form R85. This is available from banks, building societies or the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) website. If you are a non-taxpayer, but have paid tax on your savings, make sure you claim it back. You need form R40 from HMRC.
Income from jointly owned assets is generally shared equally for tax purposes. This applies even where the asset is owned in unequal shares unless an election is made to split the income in proportion to the ownership of the asset. The exception is dividend income from jointly owned shares in 'close' companies, which is split according to the actual ownership of the shares. Close companies are broadly those owned by the directors or five or fewer people.
Children Children have their own allowances and tax bands. Therefore it may be possible for tax savings to be achieved by the transfer of income-producing assets to a child. Generally this is ineffective if the source of the asset is a parent and the child is under 18. In this case the income remains taxable on the parent unless the income arising amounts to no more than &pound;100 gross per annum.
You could consider transferring assets from other relatives, for example, grandparents and/or employing teenage children in the family business to use personal allowances and the basic rate tax band.
Children also have their own Capital Gains Tax (CGT) annual exemption of &pound;10,600 (2012/13). If appropriate, it may be more effective for parents to invest for capital growth rather than income.
The government introduced the Child Trust Fund (CTF) for children born on or after 1 September 2002. The idea was to promote tax-efficient savings by family and friends and included government contributions as an incentive. All government contributions have now ceased and children born on or after 3 January 2011 no longer qualify for a CTF account.
Existing CTF accounts continue alongside a new Junior Individual Savings Account (Junior ISA) which has been introduced for those children who are not eligible for a CTF account. This includes children born before 1 September 2002 as well as children born from 3 January 2011. Both CTF and Junior ISA accounts allow parents, other family members or friends to invest up to &pound;3,600 (2012/13) annually in a tax-efficient fund for a child. There are no government contributions and no access to the funds until the child reaches 18.
Taxpayers The 50 per cent additional rate of income tax on taxable incomes above &pound;150,000 reduces to 45 per cent on 6 April this year. This means that those who are able to defer income from 2012/13 to 2013/14 could benefit from a 5 per cent or more reduction in the tax charged on the amount deferred.
Non-taxpayers Children or any other person whose personal allowances exceed their income are not liable to tax. Where income has suffered a tax deduction at source a repayment claim should be made. In the case of bank or building society interest, a declaration can be made by non-taxpayers to enable interest to be paid gross (form R85). Tax credits on dividends are not repayable so non-taxpayers should ensure that they have other sources of income to utilise their personal allowances.
Pension contributions There are many opportunities for pension planning but the rules can be complicated.
The rules include a single lifetime limit, currently &pound;1.5m in 2012/13 but reducing to &pound;1.25m in 2014/15, on the amount of pension saving that can benefit from tax relief. There is also an annual limit on the maximum level of pension contributions, currently &pound;50,000 for 2012/13 reducing to &pound;40,000 in 2014/15. The annual limit includes employer pension contributions as well as contributions by the individual. Any contributions in excess of the annual limit are taxable on the individual.
This year and in the next tax year, carry-forward provision allows investors to contribute up to a maximum of &pound;200,000. You can carry forward any unused annual allowance from the previous three years, which will give people some scope to catch up on contributions they have missed. You could potentially invest up to &pound;200,000 (assuming a &pound;50,000 allowance from the current year and an assumed &pound;50,000 allowance from the previous three). If these are personal contributions they cannot exceed your earnings in the current tax year.
Directors of family companies could, as an alternative, consider the advantages of setting up a company pension scheme or arrange for the company to make employer pension contributions. If a spouse is employed by the company, consider including them in the scheme or arranging for the company to make reasonable contributions on their behalf.
Employer-provided cars and fuel If applicable, you should also check that an employer-provided car is still a worthwhile benefit. It may be better to receive a tax-free mileage allowance of 45p per mile (up to 10,000 miles) for business travel in your own vehicle. If an employer-provided car is still preferred, consider the acquisition of a lower CO2 emission vehicle on replacement to minimise the tax cost. Where private fuel is provided, the benefit charge is also based on CO2 emissions. You should review any such arrangements to ensure no unnecessary tax charges arise.
Capital Gains Tax (CGT) With 5 April fast approaching, it is a good idea to be thinking about using up your CGT exempt amount to make the best use of tax advantages. For 2012/13 every individual has a CGT exempt amount of &pound;10,600 where no CGT is payable. Any capital gains on disposal of assets or investments are added to income and taxed at 18 per cent over this exempt amount to the basic rate limit of &pound;34,370 for 2012/13 and then at 28 per cent for any gains over this.
Depending on your income from capital gains, timing can become an important issue. If appropriate, you should aim to use up your personal exemption before 5 April but if your income from capital gains is high enough then you could wait until the 2013/14 tax year to possibly avoid paying tax at 28 per cent unnecessarily.
CGT liabilities are calculated with your Self-Assessment Tax Return and tax payable is due by 31 January 2013 for the tax year ending 5 April 2012. Therefore part of your planning may be to leave disposals until after the year end to give you another 12 months to pay the tax liability.
If you have two homes you could consider making an election, so that future gains on your 'main residence' are exempt from CGT.
A capital gain can also be deferred if the gain is reinvested in the shares of a qualifying unquoted trading company through the Enterprise Investment Scheme. No CGT planning should be undertaken in isolation. Other tax and non-tax factors may be relevant, particularly Inheritance Tax, in relation to capital assets.
Investments There is a wide range of investments with varying tax treatments. When choosing investments, always consider the differing levels of risk and your requirements for income and capital in both the long and short term. An investment strategy based purely on saving tax is not advisable.
Individual Savings Accounts Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) provide an Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax investment wrapper. The maximum investment limits are set for each tax year. Therefore to take advantage of the limits available for 2012/13 the investment(s) must be made by 5 April 2013 (this tax year you can shelter up to &pound;11,280). An individual aged 18 or over may invest in one Cash ISA and one Stocks &amp; Shares ISA per tax year but limits apply. A Cash ISA allows you to invest up to &pound;5,640 (2012/13) with one provider only, in any one tax year. A Stocks &amp; Shares ISA allows you the option to invest up to &pound;11,280 in the current tax year with one provider. If you want to invest in both a Cash ISA and a Stocks &amp; Shares ISA, the overall amount is capped and you cannot exceed the &pound;11,280 limit (2012/13).
16 to 17-year-olds are able to open an adult Cash ISA in 2012/13 and can also have a new Junior ISA account. This means that a combined maximum investment of &pound;9,240 (&pound;5,640 Cash ISA + &pound;3,600 Junior ISA) is possible for 2012/13.
Other investments National Savings &amp; Investment bank (NS&amp;I) products are taxed in a variety of ways. Some, such as National Savings Certificates, are tax-free.
Single premium life assurance bonds and 'roll up' funds can provide a useful means of deferring income into a subsequent period when it may be taxed at a lower rate. The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) allows income tax relief at 30 per cent on new equity investment (in qualifying unquoted trading companies) of up to &pound;1m in 2012/13. As long as shares held for at least three years, the sale of the shares at a profit will be CGT-free (a reduction of the current rate of 28 per cent to 0 per cent). Any size of capital gain made on the disposal of any kind of asset can be 'deferred' by re-investment into EIS-compliant companies. The deferred gain is then due on the sale of the EIS shares unless the sale is to a spouse or on the death of the shareholder.
Investments in EIS-compliant shares can attract Inheritance Tax business property relief (BPR) equal to 100 per cent of the investment value on gifting or on death.
A Venture Capital Trust (VCT) invests in the shares of unquoted trading companies. An investor in the shares of a VCT will be exempt from tax on dividends (although the tax credits are not repayable) and on any capital gains arising from disposal of shares in the VCT.
Income Tax relief, currently at 30 per cent, is available on subscriptions for VCT shares up to &pound;200,000 per tax year so long as the shares are held for at least five years.
Finally, review your borrowings. Full tax relief is given on funds borrowed for business purposes.
The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may not get back your original investment. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Tax benefits may vary as a result of statutory change and their value will depend on individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.




The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. For more information please contact us today.


]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-01-24T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=188]]></link>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[End of Year Tax Planning]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[With the end of the tax year rapidly approaching on 5 April, now is the time to focus on ways to mitigate any tax liability.
To make the most of the opportunities available, if you&rsquo;ve not already done so, you should start putting plans in place now. Here we look at some of the areas you may need to consider to minimise a potential tax liability.
Please download our free guide to end of year tax planning or contact us today to discuss your options.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-01-22T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=187]]></link>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Independent or Restricted Advice ?]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Independent Financial Advice Becomes Scarce.
Eight of ten of the UK&rsquo;s largest financial advice firms now offer clients Restricted advice according to the industry publication FT Adviser.
Since the rules changed on 1 January 2013, as a result of the Retail Distribution Review, firms offering Independent Financial Advice are required to research a wider range of investment options for their clients.&nbsp; This additional work can be avoided by only offering Restricted Advice.
Scottsdale Consulting are committed to providing truly Independent Advice to their clients as we believe this is the only way to provide them with all of the investment options available in the marketplace.&nbsp; Given the choice, we believe that most clients will opt for Independent rather than Restricted advice every time.
&nbsp;
Contact us today to discuss your Requirments
&nbsp;
&nbsp;]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-01-11T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=185]]></link>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[CPI v RPI - Link to Pensions]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Good News For Pensioners
For the time being the proposal to link Pensions with CPI rather than RPI has been scrapped, or at least put on hold, according to the ONS (Office for National Statistics)
The two indices, both measure inflation, but on different terms.
Consumer Prices Index ( CPI)
CPI looks at the prices of many items we spend money on, such as food and cinema tickets, but excludes housing costs and mortgage interest payments.
CPI also takes into account the fact that when prices rise, some people will switch to lower priced alternatives
Retail Prices Index ( RPI)
RPI is currently used to index various prices and incomes including tax allowances, state benefits and pensions.
RPI includes housing costs - such as council tax - and mortgage interest payments.
Ends
&nbsp;]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-01-11T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=186]]></link>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Latest  Independent Financial Advice]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Happy New Year to our Clients and Web site visitors. We trust that 2013 will bring you peace and prosperity.
We are here to help and advise, so please do feel free to contact us for a confidential conversation.
Scottsdale Consulting is committed to providing fully Independent Financial Advice to our Clients.
I am pleased to draw your attention to the recent additions to our Smart Guide Library.
1: Smart Money - Jan - Feb 2013 Edition
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Featuring topical discussion on relevant issues
2: Guide to Year End Tax Planning
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A must read as you approach your personal or company&nbsp;&nbsp; tax-year end.
3: Smart Guide to Wealth Creation
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A 28 page Guide to investing through various vehicles and the tax advantages of each.
4: Autumn Statement Review
&nbsp; A reminder of the key facts that affect you
We look forward to speaking with you in person when you contact us.
Tel: 01908 226400
Email: info@sc-ifa.co.uk
&nbsp;
&nbsp;]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-01-10T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=181]]></link>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Retail Distribution Review ( RDR)]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[The new rules in a nutshell&nbsp;RDR is here &hellip; but what on earth is it, and what does it mean to Scottsdale&rsquo;s customers?If you&rsquo;re one of our customers, very little has had to change to comply with the new RDR standards, and the recommendations we provide remain entirely independent.On 1 January 2013, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) introduced new rules known as the Retail Distribution Review (RDR). The new rules ensure that UK financial advisers:
1.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;tell the customers about how they charge for their services &ndash; historically, some charged a fee and others took commission
2.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;must make it crystal clear if they&rsquo;re truly independent, which means they are completely unbiased and unrestricted or if they are really restricted in the range of products they can recommend
3.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;are unable to operate if they are not qualified to a new, higher standard.From 1 January onwards, commission payments ceased and many other financial advice organisations had to admit that they couldn&rsquo;t meet the standards that would mean they were independent. As a company, we are pleased that the industry has had a spring-clean and delighted that our standards met RDR requirements with very little tweaking. Our advisers:
&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;are well-qualified&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;provide truly independent advice&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;are up-front and honest about service costs.If you have any further queries concerning RDR, you are always welcome to contact us on Tel:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 01908 226400email:&nbsp; info@sc-ifa.co.uk.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-01-10T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=182]]></link>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Safeguarding and Protecting your Family]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Bad news can impact       on any one of us at any time
Safeguarding and protecting your family's standard of living
Bad news can impact on any one of us at any time, in the form of an illness or sudden death. We don't like to think about it but we do have to plan for it. So having the correct protection strategy in place will enable you to protect your family's lifestyle if your income suddenly changes due to premature death or illness. However, choosing the right options can be difficult without obtaining professional advice to ensure you protect your family from financial hardship.
Obtaining advice is essential to making an informed decision about the most suitable sum assured, premium, terms and payment provisions. We work with our clients to create tailored protection strategies that meet their financial goals and needs and we're committed to ensuring that our clients enjoy the best financial planning service available.
Whether you're wanting to provide a financial safety net for your loved ones, moving house or a first-time buyer looking to arrange your mortgage life insurance &ndash; or simply wishing to add some cover to what you've already got &ndash; you'll want to make sure you choose the right type of cover. That's why obtaining the right advice and knowing which products to choose is essential.
Life assurance helps your dependants to cope financially in the event of your premature death. When you take out life assurance, you set the amount you want the policy to pay out should you die &ndash; this is called the 'sum assured'. Even if you consider that currently you have sufficient life assurance, you'll probably need more later on if your circumstances change. If you don't update your policy as key events happen throughout your life, you may risk being seriously under-insured.
As you reach different stages in your life, the need for protection will inevitably change. These are typical events when you should review your life assurance requirements:

Buying your first home with a partner
Having other debts and dependants
Getting married or entering into a registered civil partnership
Starting a family
Becoming a stay-at-home parent
Having more children
Moving to a bigger property
Salary increases
Changing your job
Reaching retirement
Relying on someone else to support you
Personal guarantee for business loans

Your life assurance premiums will vary according to a number of different factors, including the sum assured and the length of your policy (its 'term'), plus individual lifestyle factors such as your age, occupation, gender, state of health and whether or not you smoke.
If you have a spouse, partner or children, you should have sufficient protection to pay off your mortgage and any other liabilities. After that, you may need life assurance to replace at least some of your income. How much money a family needs will vary from household to household so, ultimately, it's up to you to decide how much money you would like to leave your family that would enable them to maintain their current standard of living.
There are two basic types of life assurance, 'term' and 'whole-of-life', but within those categories there are different variations.
The cheapest, simplest form of life assurance is term assurance. It is straightforward protection, there is no investment element and it pays out a lump sum if you die within a specified period. There are several types of term assurance.
The other type of protection available is a whole-of-life assurance policy designed to provide you with cover throughout your entire lifetime. The policy only pays out once the policyholder dies, providing the policyholder's dependants with a lump sum, usually tax-free. Depending on the individual policy, policyholders may have to continue contributing right up until they die, or they may be able to stop paying in once they reach a stated age, even though the cover continues until they die.
Please contact one of our protection specialsts today or call us on.
tel. 01908 226400
&nbsp;
&nbsp;]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-01-10T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=183]]></link>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[House Prices  and  Mortgage Deals]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Here is an exert taken from the Asking Price Index, a full version of which can be found in our Mortgage Smart Guide library
Overview
2012 has been the best year for price growth in UK property since the financial crisis. Typical time on market for England and Wales is now 129 days, 9 days lower than in December 2011. UK house price rises have been year-on-year positive for 13 consecutive months. Low interest rates and strong rental demand continue to drive the market towards recovery. However, UK price growth remains behind inflation (RPI ex-housing) and marketing times still need to come down further.
The market still remains bi-polar with London and the South East enjoying much better market conditions than the North. Greater London has shown price growth of 4.7% over the last year while the North West has suffered a loss of 0.5%.
Suffice to say, confidence in the market is still very much lacking in the northern regions. Spring 2013 may well show some improvement in the fortunes of property in the North, Scotland and Wales. Meanwhile, London and its surrounding regions are expected to continue to prosper.
There are still some great mortgage deals available for home purchase, re-mortgage and Buy to Let portfolios as well as New Build and first time buyers.
We have a team of independent&nbsp; mortgage specialists waiting to take your call.
Tel: 01908 226400
or contact us via the web site here]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2013-01-10T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=184]]></link>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Christmas Opeing hours]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[We would like to wish all our clients and web site visitors a very happy Christmas and a fruitful &amp; prosperous New Year.
The Office will be closed from 1 pm. Dec 24 and re-open on Wednesday 2 January 2013 at 9 am.
If you have an urgent need, please do call, either your adviser directly, or contact the main office number (01908) 226400 where you will find an emergency contact number.
Merry Christmas from the Scottsdale Team]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-12-20T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=180]]></link>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Chancellor's Autumn Statement ]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[The Chancellor, George Osborne presented his autumn statement to MPs today and claimed that 'Britain is heading in the right direction'&nbsp; even though growth will be slower and borrowing higher than previously thought.Here are&nbsp; some of the main points:FUELThe 3p-a-litre increase in fuel duty, planned for next January, is cancelledECONOMIC GROWTHPredicted to be -0.1% in 2012, down from 0.8% predicted in the Budget Forecasts for next few years are: 1.2% in 2013, 2% in 2014, 2.3% 2015, 2.7% in 2016 and 2.8% in 2017BENEFITS AND PENSIONSMost working-age benefits to rise by 1% for each of next three yearsFrom 2014-15 lifetime pension relief allowance to fall from &pound;1.5m to &pound;1.25mThe annual allowance will be cut from &pound;50,000 a year to 40,000. Basic state pension to rise by 2.5% next year to &pound;110.15 a weekChild benefit to rise by 1% for two years from April 2014Local housing allowance rates to rise in line with existing policy next April but increases in the following two years capped at 1%Changes to welfare to save &pound;3.7bn by 2015/16TAXES AND ALLOWANCESBasic income tax threshold to be raised by &pound;235 more than previously announced next year, to &pound;9,440Threshold for 40% rate of income tax to rise by 1% in 2014 and 2015, from &pound;41,450 to &pound;41,865 and then &pound;42,285Main rate of corporation tax to be cut by extra 1% to 21% from April 2014Inheritance tax threshold to be increased by 1% next yearBank levy rate to be increased to 0.130% next year.&pound;5bn over six years expected from treaty with Switzerland to deal with undisclosed bank accountsHM Revenue and Customs budget will not be cutISA contribution limit to be raised to &pound;11,520 from next AprilProsecutions for tax evasions up 80% - with anti-abuse rule to come in next yearNo new tax on property valueNo net rise in taxes in Autumn StatementRead the full Dec 2012 Treasurer Autumn Statement]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-12-05T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=179]]></link>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[ Life Insurance - The Options]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[



Protecting your family's lifestyle
Choosing the right options for your loved ones
Bad news can impact on any one of us at any time, in the form of an illness, or sudden death. We don't like to think about it, but we do have to plan for it. So having the correct protection strategy in place will enable you to protect your family's lifestyle if your income suddenly changes due to premature death or illness. But choosing the right options can be difficult without obtaining professional advice to ensure you protect your family from financial hardship.
Professional advice Obtaining professional advice is essential to making an informed decision about the most suitable sum assured, premium, terms and payment provisions. We work with our clients to create tailored protection strategies that meet their financial goals and needs and we're committed to ensuring that our clients enjoy the best financial planning service available.
Whether you're looking to provide a financial safety net for your loved ones, moving house or a first time buyer looking to arrange your mortgage life insurance - or simply wanting to add some cover to what you've already got - you'll want to make sure you choose the right type of cover. That's why obtaining the right advice and knowing which products to choose &ndash; including the most suitable sum assured, premium, terms and payment provisions &ndash; is essential.Under-insured Life assurance helps your dependants to cope financially in the event of your premature death. When you take out life assurance, you set the amount you want the policy to pay out should you die &ndash; this is called the 'sum assured'. Even if you consider that currently you have sufficient life assurance, you'll probably need more later on if your circumstances change. If you don't update your policy as key events happen throughout your life, you may risk being seriously under-insured.Stages in your life As you reach different stages in your life, the need for protection will inevitably change. These are typical events when you should review your life assurance requirements: - Buying your first home with a partner - Having other debts and dependants - Getting married or entering into a civil partnership -Starting a family - Becoming a stay-at-home parent - Having more children - Moving to a bigger property - Salary increases - Changing your job - Reaching retirement - Relying on someone else to support you - Personal guarantee for business loans
Lifestyle factors Your life assurance premiums will vary according to a number of different factors, including the sum assured and the length of your policy (its 'term'), plus individual lifestyle factors such as your age, occupation, gender, state of health and whether or not you smoke. If you have a spouse, partner or children, you should have sufficient protection to pay off your mortgage and any other liabilities. After that, you may need life assurance to replace at least some of your income. How much money a family needs will vary from household to household so, ultimately, it's up to you to decide how much money you would like to leave your family that would enable them to maintain their current standard of living.Types of life assurance There are two basic types of life assurance, 'term' and 'whole-of-life', but within those categories there are different variations.
The cheapest, simplest form of life assurance is term assurance. It is straightforward protection, there is no investment element and it pays out a lump sum if you die within a specified period. There are several types of term assurance.
The other type of protection available is a whole-of-life assurance policy designed to provide you with cover throughout your entire lifetime. The policy only pays out once the policyholder dies, providing the policyholder's dependants with a lump sum, usually tax-free. Depending on the individual policy, policyholders may have to continue contributing right up until they die, or they may be able to stop paying in once they reach a stated age, even though the cover continues until they die.Tax matters Although the proceeds from a life assurance policy are tax-free, they could form part of your estate and become liable to Inheritance Tax (IHT). The simple way to avoid IHT on the proceeds is to place your policy into an appropriate trust, which enables any payout to be made directly to your dependants. Certain kinds of trust allow you to control what happens to your payout after death and this could speed up a payment. However, they cannot be used for life assurance policies that are assigned to (earmarked for) your mortgage lender. Generally speaking, the amount of life assurance you may need should provide a lump sum that is sufficient to remove the burden of any debts and, ideally, leave enough over to invest in order to provide an income to support your dependants for the required period of time. The first consideration is to clarify what you want the life assurance to protect. If you simply want to cover your mortgage, then an amount equal to the outstanding mortgage debt can achieve that. Financial support However, if you want to prevent your family from being financially disadvantaged by your premature death and provide enough financial support to maintain their current lifestyle, there are a few more variables you should consider. What are your family expenses and how would they change if you died? How much would the family expenditure increase on requirements such as childcare if you were to die? How much would your family income drop if you were to die? How much cover do you receive from your employer or company pension scheme and for how long? What existing policies do you have already and how far do they go to meeting your needs?
How long would your existing savings last? What state benefits are there that could provide extra support to meet your family's needs? How would the return of inflation to the economy affect the amount of your cover over time?




The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. For more information please contact one of our protection specialists on
&nbsp;
tel 01908 226400
email:&nbsp; info@sc-ifa.co.uk
&nbsp;



]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-12-04T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=177]]></link>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Mortgages - Great Deals Available ]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[If you are considering buying a new Home or Re-mortgaging to a better deal, please contact one of our mortgage specialists today.
We research the whole market to find you the most suitable solution for your circumstances.
There are curently some great offers available.
Tel 01908 226400
email : info@sc-ifa.co.uk
For Current market trends please download the HAP index]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-12-04T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=178]]></link>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Protecting your Family - Life Insurance]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[



Protecting your family's lifestyle
Choosing the right options for your loved ones
Bad news can impact on any one of us at any time, in the form of an illness, or sudden death. We don't like to think about it, but we do have to plan for it. So having the correct protection strategy in place will enable you to protect your family's lifestyle if your income suddenly changes due to premature death or illness. But choosing the right options can be difficult without obtaining professional advice to ensure you protect your family from financial hardship.
Professional advice Obtaining professional advice is essential to making an informed decision about the most suitable sum assured, premium, terms and payment provisions. We work with our clients to create tailored protection strategies that meet their financial goals and needs and we're committed to ensuring that our clients enjoy the best financial planning service available.
Whether you're looking to provide a financial safety net for your loved ones, moving house or a first time buyer looking to arrange your mortgage life insurance - or simply wanting to add some cover to what you've already got - you'll want to make sure you choose the right type of cover. That's why obtaining the right advice and knowing which products to choose &ndash; including the most suitable sum assured, premium, terms and payment provisions &ndash; is essential.Under-insured Life assurance helps your dependants to cope financially in the event of your premature death. When you take out life assurance, you set the amount you want the policy to pay out should you die &ndash; this is called the 'sum assured'. Even if you consider that currently you have sufficient life assurance, you'll probably need more later on if your circumstances change. If you don't update your policy as key events happen throughout your life, you may risk being seriously under-insured.Stages in your life As you reach different stages in your life, the need for protection will inevitably change. These are typical events when you should review your life assurance requirements: - Buying your first home with a partner - Having other debts and dependants - Getting married or entering into a civil partnership -Starting a family - Becoming a stay-at-home parent - Having more children - Moving to a bigger property - Salary increases - Changing your job - Reaching retirement - Relying on someone else to support you - Personal guarantee for business loans
Lifestyle factors Your life assurance premiums will vary according to a number of different factors, including the sum assured and the length of your policy (its 'term'), plus individual lifestyle factors such as your age, occupation, gender, state of health and whether or not you smoke. If you have a spouse, partner or children, you should have sufficient protection to pay off your mortgage and any other liabilities. After that, you may need life assurance to replace at least some of your income. How much money a family needs will vary from household to household so, ultimately, it's up to you to decide how much money you would like to leave your family that would enable them to maintain their current standard of living.Types of life assurance There are two basic types of life assurance, 'term' and 'whole-of-life', but within those categories there are different variations.
The cheapest, simplest form of life assurance is term assurance. It is straightforward protection, there is no investment element and it pays out a lump sum if you die within a specified period. There are several types of term assurance.
The other type of protection available is a whole-of-life assurance policy designed to provide you with cover throughout your entire lifetime. The policy only pays out once the policyholder dies, providing the policyholder's dependants with a lump sum, usually tax-free. Depending on the individual policy, policyholders may have to continue contributing right up until they die, or they may be able to stop paying in once they reach a stated age, even though the cover continues until they die.Tax matters Although the proceeds from a life assurance policy are tax-free, they could form part of your estate and become liable to Inheritance Tax (IHT). The simple way to avoid IHT on the proceeds is to place your policy into an appropriate trust, which enables any payout to be made directly to your dependants. Certain kinds of trust allow you to control what happens to your payout after death and this could speed up a payment. However, they cannot be used for life assurance policies that are assigned to (earmarked for) your mortgage lender. Generally speaking, the amount of life assurance you may need should provide a lump sum that is sufficient to remove the burden of any debts and, ideally, leave enough over to invest in order to provide an income to support your dependants for the required period of time. The first consideration is to clarify what you want the life assurance to protect. If you simply want to cover your mortgage, then an amount equal to the outstanding mortgage debt can achieve that. Financial support However, if you want to prevent your family from being financially disadvantaged by your premature death and provide enough financial support to maintain their current lifestyle, there are a few more variables you should consider. What are your family expenses and how would they change if you died? How much would the family expenditure increase on requirements such as childcare if you were to die? How much would your family income drop if you were to die? How much cover do you receive from your employer or company pension scheme and for how long? What existing policies do you have already and how far do they go to meeting your needs?
How long would your existing savings last? What state benefits are there that could provide extra support to meet your family's needs? How would the return of inflation to the economy affect the amount of your cover over time?
For more information please contact one of our family protection specialists:
Tel 01908 226400
email - info@sc-ifa.co.uk




&nbsp;



]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-11-26T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=175]]></link>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Gender Directive - HMRC Update]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Drawdown pensions - Amended instructions on how to use Government Actuary&rsquo;s Department [&lsquo;GAD&rsquo;] tables for female drawdown pensioners aged 23 and over from 21 December 2012
Update to Guidance 8 August 2012
HMRC has updated its guidance about drawdown pensions. It tells providers to use the same rates for women as for men to determine their maximum drawdown pension from 21st December 2012
Male rates in GAD&rsquo;s Table 1 are higher than the rates for women in Table 2. Therefore the change being announced means that from 21st December 2012:
Women will be able to take a higher drawdown pension income than before;
Men will see no change in the maximum drawdown pension they can receive;
Drawdown providers can continue use the existing Table 1, but for more of their customers.
On 1st March 2011 the ECJ ( European Court of Justice) ruled that insurers using gender as a risk factor in ways which resulted in individual differences in premiums and benefits for men and women should not be permitted for insurance transactions covered by Council Directive 2004/113/EC implementing the principle of equal treatment between men and women in the access to and supply of goods and services [&lsquo;the gender directive&rsquo;].
The Government was disappointed with the judgement, which it expects to have a largely negative impact on consumers. The judgement is however binding in UK law and the Government is legally required to implement it.
The ECJ ruling covers annuity rates for men and women where the annuity purchase is covered by the gender directive. The calculation of the maximum drawdown pension is based on the annuity that could have been bought with the drawdown pension fund.
The ECJ has said that changes implementing the judgement have to be in place by 21st
December 2012. However it is not yet certain how annuity providers will actually implement it.
Until it becomes clearer how annuity providers will apply the judgement in practice, the maximum drawdown pension for both men and women aged 23 and over should be calculated using the higher male rates in Table 1 from 21st December 2012.
To see how this might affect you, please contact one of our retirement specialists today.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-11-26T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=176]]></link>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Equity Release - Flexible Options]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[When Does Equity Release Become a Sensible Option?Recently, there has been confusion surrounding equity release, and many people have asked us when they should consider it as a sensible avenue to resolving difficulty. Providing an individual or couple own a home and are over 55 years of age, equity release can help address issues concerning:&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;covering living and long-term care costs&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;debt&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;funding ambitions&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;home improvements&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;assisting first time buyers&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;inheritance tax. You could consider releasing equity from your property as taking on a lifetime mortgage which is paid off when you pass away. You could choose to pay monthly instalments to avoid accumulating interest or not make any regular payments at all on the understanding that the amount borrowed and the associated interest would be deducted from the proceeds of your property after death.It has become so important to take financial advice before taking out an equity release scheme that the FSA (Financial Services Authority) has insisted that &ldquo;vulnerable individuals&rdquo; receive advice before taking on a mortgage. This new guideline will come into force on 26th April 2014. A truly independent financial advisor will be able to assess whether or not equity release is suitable for you. We strongly recommend that you check to make sure your advisor is not tied to any particular lender.Here are some scenarios to help you understand when equity release could be a useful tool.Reduced income from pensionsA couple in their late 60s have a mortgage and little capital. Their children have grown up and are independent. Unfortunately, the wife passes away. The husband now only receives income from one pension and the financial pressure makes him concerned about losing his home. In this instance, equity release could pay off the mortgage and other debt. This would secure the home and free up income for the rest of his life. On his death, if his children decided to sell the property, the sum they finally receive would be reduced by the amount of money borrowed through equity release, plus interest. DebtA widow in her late 60s is struggling to make ends meet. She has no capital other than the equity locked up in her home. As she doesn&rsquo;t have a family, she plans to donate her estate to charity in her will. Unfortunately, having taken out some expensive loans, she is harassed by the lenders as she is unable to maintain her payments. The threat of bankruptcy is becoming real. &nbsp;Under these circumstances, equity release would clear her debt, eliminate the associated harassment, and liberate funds available to her to live on. It would secure her home for life and, on her death, her chosen charities could still receive the proceeds from her estate, minus the equity release amount borrowed and the associated interest. Ambitions and home improvementsAn adventurous couple in their 70s own a beautiful home but have no other accessible capital. They have a burning desire to go on a world cruise before they&rsquo;re too old to do it, and also fancy a new conservatory. Equity release from their property would fund the new conservatory and their grand tour. After both of them pass away, if the family home was sold, their children would receive the proceeds after the amount borrowed through equity release and the interest had been deducted. If this elderly couple had chosen an interest payment option on their equity release arrangement, their children would inherit the value of the house after the amount of equity release (no interest) borrowed had been deducted. Because the couple would have maintained monthly interest payments, the total sum inherited by their children would be greater. Reducing inheritance tax and helping your children buy propertyA young man&rsquo;s parents in their early 60s have a valuable house but can&rsquo;t access any other capital. Their son can&rsquo;t afford to buy his first home, so they kindly offer to provide funds for him now rather than leaving a substantial inheritance. Using an equity release loan, the parents gift funds to their son. Seven years after the gift has been given, the funds are no longer liable for inheritance tax. The son buys his first house while his parents are around to see him enjoy it. When they pass away he would pay a lower amount of inheritance tax because the value of the estate is reduced by the amount borrowed (and gifted) via equity release plus interest. If his parents had chosen to make monthly interest payments, only the amount they had originally borrowed would be put against the estate on their death. &nbsp;These are examples of equity release plans. To understand the features and risks, call us to arrange a personalised illustration on 01908 226400. Or email info@sc-ifa.co.uk]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-11-22T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=173]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Scottsdale Presents  Business Expo Winner]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Nick Konkol, Director at Scottsdale Consulting, presenting to the winner of the Business Expo prize draw, Mark Cowlin of Ibell Cowlin ltd.  Scottsdale was exhibiting and presenting at the exhibition hosted by Double Tree Hilton on Thursday ...
last week.  The seminar, presented by corporate specialist Dominic Andersen, was well received and focussed on the topical subject of  'Pension Auto enrolment'. Dominic is available to discuss your company responsibilities in this regard and also to highlight the opportunities these changes bring.
Contact Dominic - d.andersen@sc-ifa.co.uk


&nbsp;]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-11-22T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=174]]></link>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Business Expo - Book now]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Pensions Auto Enrolment - Seminar
Pension Reform - Auto Enrolment What are the options?
Stadium MK - 
15 November 2012
10.15am - 10.45am
?October 2012 saw the start of larger companies reaching their stage date and the requirement to contribute to a pension scheme for their employees. Others will have to follow over the next few months and years.
It is now no longer an issue that can be shelved.
This seminar will arm you with an understanding of your obligations and options, but also highlight the opportunities that this fundamental change brings.
This is the last chance for you to register for the region's largest Business Show. Join us at the Business Show - Milton Keynes it is going to be a unique event that will provide you with the perfect platform to meet, network, interact and work with business owners, directors and entrepreneurs who are looking for inspiration and motivation to take their business to the next level. The show has been developed to supply a comprehensive gateway to developing your business, giving new&rsquo; innovative ideas&rsquo; whilst enhancing the&rsquo; if it&rsquo;s not broke don&rsquo;t fix it scenario! Delegates can enjoy the show at their own pace taking part in as much or as little as they wish.
Being non-industry specific, businesses from all backgrounds find new, inventive ways to help their business develop and grow. Find new suppliers, reduce costs and gain industry knowledge from our expert exhibitors they can meet new business contacts through open and Speed Networking. Extend business awareness at our expert Workshops, Clinics and Key Note Seminars; whether it be insight into a prospective venture or hints to improve your current strategies.
FREE seminars, workshops and clinics at the event:

SPEED NETWORKING Social media for small      businesses 101  Pension reform - auto      enrolment- what are the options  Successful selling  Tax planning for growth Protect      and grow your business - essential risk management  Search engine optimisation      uncovered 

REGISTER TODAY: www.thebusinessshow-south.co.uk
&nbsp;]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-11-13T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=172]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Self Invested Personal Pensions]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[



Freedom of choice
Would you like to take more control over your pension fund investment decisions?
A Self Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) is a pension wrapper that is capable of holding a wide range of investments and providing you with the same tax advantages as other personal pension plans.
Expert professional advice However, they are more complex than conventional products and it is essential you seek expert professional advice. SIPPs allow investors to choose their own investments or appoint an investment manager to look after the portfolio on their behalf. Individuals have to appoint a trustee to oversee the operation of the SIPP but, having done that, the individual can effectively run the pension fund on his or her own.
A fully fledged SIPP can accommodate a wide range of investments under its umbrella, including shares, bonds, cash, commercial property, hedge funds and private equity.More control You can choose from a number of different investments, unlike other traditional pension schemes, which may give you more control over where your money is invested. Once invested in your pension, the funds grow free of UK capital gains tax and income tax (tax deducted from dividends cannot be reclaimed).Tax benefits There are significant tax benefits. The government contributes 20 per cent of every gross contribution you pay &ndash; meaning that a &pound;1,000 investment in your SIPP costs you just &pound;800. If you are a higher or additional rate taxpayer, the tax benefits could be even greater. In the above example, higher rate (40 per cent) taxpayers could claim back as much as a further &pound;200 via their tax return. Additional rate (50 per cent) taxpayers could claim back as much as a further &pound;300.Carry forward There is an annual maximum tax-relievable contribution level of &pound;50,000 for 2012/13. You could contribute more, but would be taxed at your marginal rate. Commencing from the start of the 2011/12 tax year, it is now possible to carry forward any unused allowance from the previous three tax years (for this purpose the maximum allowance is &pound;50,000 per tax year). We would strongly recommend that you obtain professional financial advice if you would like to utilise this option.
Pensionable income, including employment income, bonus, benefits in kind, self employment and partnership profits, can all potentially be contributed. Pensionable income does not include investment income, rental income or pension income however.Other considerations You cannot draw on a SIPP pension before age 55 and you should be mindful of the fact that you'll need to spend time managing your investments. Where investment is made in commercial property, you may have periods without rental income and, in some cases, the pension fund may need to sell property when the market is not at its strongest.
Because there may be many transactions moving investments around, the administrative costs are often higher than those of a normal pension fund. The tax benefits and governing rules of SIPPs may change in the future. The level of pension benefits payable cannot be guaranteed as they will depend on interest rates when you start taking your benefits.
The value of your SIPP may be less than you expected if you stop or reduce contributions, or if you take your pension earlier than you had planned.
A pension is a long-term investment. The fund value may fluctuate and can go down as well as up. You may not get back your original investment. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Tax benefits may vary as a result of statutory change and their value will depend on individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.




The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation


]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-11-09T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=171]]></link>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Pensions Auto Enrolment - Seminar]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Pension Reform - Auto Enrolment What are the options?
Stadium MK - 
15 November 2012
10.15am - 10.45am
?October 2012 saw the start of larger companies reaching their stage date and the requirement to contribute to a pension scheme for their employees. Others will have to follow over the next few months and years.
It is now no longer an issue that can be shelved.
This seminar will arm you with an understanding of your obligations and options, but also highlight the opportunities that this fundamental change brings.
&nbsp;
REGISTER NOW]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-11-06T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=170]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Home Insurance - Are you Covered?]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[How do I know if my home is under-insured?Flooding, fire, theft or any type of damage to your home is bad enough, but then to discover you are under-insured is doubly distressing. All too often we are guilty of buying new furniture, extending or converting our properties, or simply upgrading our TV without considering the implications if we were to lose them.Some points to consider when assessing your cover are:
Have you extended your property or added a new conservatory?
If the answer is yes, did you increase your buildings insurance accordingly?Do you have any new or upgraded TV and audio equipment?Have you inherited jewellery, paintings, antiques or works of art?Gold prices have risen dramatically in recent years. Have you had up-to-date valuations from a recognised jeweller?Have you recently bought valuable sports equipment or bicycles?Do you need worldwide cover and does your current policy provide this?We recommend the services of Home Counties Insurance because they take a holistic approach to advising clients. As registered insurance brokers, they can advise you on the types and amounts of cover available. More importantly, if a disaster does occur, they are there to help and you will not be left alone to deal with a call centre in a far-flung country.Contact Home Counties Insurance Services Ltd for a no obligation quotation or advice on cover.
Tel. 01525 719955&nbsp;
Email HCI@sc-ifa.co.uk,]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-10-31T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=168]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Scottsdale Currency Card]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Have you got yours yet?
Just a reminder that Scottsdale has teamed up with Moneycorp to bring you the&nbsp; Explorer Currency Card.
Check out the great feature here]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-10-31T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=169]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[The Government�s Auto-Enrolment Pensions Are Here]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Why did the government start auto-enrolment?By 2029, more than 40% of the British population will be aged over 50 years old. How to fund the minimum income guarantee or the pensions of a growing elderly population over the coming 40 years has troubled successive governments in recent years.Knowing that the employed population needed to make provision for their own individual futures, to help alleviate the future financial burden on the public purse, Labour introduced stakeholder pensions in 2001. They were low-cost, accessible and government-approved so it was assumed that people would flock to invest their earnings into these pension schemes.Alas, it didn&rsquo;t work. These low-cost pensions simply made other providers lower their costs, offer more flexible terms and become much more competitive. In response, the government passed the responsibility for encouraging people to invest in pensions to their employers &ndash; and auto-enrolment was born.Do I have to do anything about it?If you&rsquo;re an employee, the answer is yes. If you&rsquo;re an employer, the answer is also yes.EmployeesAsk your employer when the auto-enrolment scheme will come into effect in your organisation and if it will apply to you as an individual. Review your existing and previous pensions and start planning ahead. Under the auto-enrolment policy, you will be expected to pay up to 5% of your salary into your scheme, before tax relief, so you need to understand your personal cashflow.EmployersEmployers need to ensure they are automatically paying into the appropriate employees&rsquo; pension schemes &ndash; job-holders who qualify for and have accepted auto-enrolment.There is a procedure the employer needs to follow to get this right. Identify who fits the criteria (which are largely earnings-based ) for auto-enrolment pensions now, and who will in the future.Find out when the auto-enrolment scheme will apply to your organisation, and inform your employees. This &lsquo;staging date&rsquo;&nbsp; will directly relate to your number of qualifying job-holders and your PAYE reference. Although job-holders are allowed to opt out of auto-enrolment, employers are not allowed to encourage rejection. Employers who break this rule will be fined.Select the Qualifying Workplace Pension scheme you think your organisation should adopt &ndash; this needs some consideration and expert guidance.The government launched a default provider called NEST (National Employment Savings Trust) to deliver a low-cost, low-risk pensions savings plan. However, it falls short in flexibility compared to other schemes that have become available. For example, if you have adopted a NEST scheme and your employee moves to another organisation that has opted for a different scheme, the funds within NEST cannot be transferred to the new pension provider. In addition, if an employee with funds within NEST wants to move to a more flexible solution, the funds cannot be transferred. In both scenarios, this flaw means that the employee ends up with more than one pension.In response to this initiative, other members within the pensions industry have launched comparable schemes, which provide much greater flexibility and choice.If your organisation already has a pension scheme, it can probably be amended to fit the Qualifying Workplace Pension requirements.The good news is that you can choose to use a combination of pension schemes within your organisation.NEST will review its position regarding transfers, but the results are not scheduled to be announced until 2017.In the meantime, you will need to:1.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Schedule a triennial&nbsp; review in which you re-evaluate the pension scheme(s) adopted by your organisation.2.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Auto-enrol workers who previously opted out &ndash; your employees will have to opt out again if they so wish.3.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Auto-enrol anyone who has become eligible since the initial launch.You will need to maintain auto-enrolment records for your company, as the government intend to spot-check employers to ensure they are following the new scheme.Fortunately, employer contributions will be phased in, starting at 1% payments and rising to 3%. Employers can pay more, and many are taking the opportunity to exchange pay rises for pension contributions prior to their staging dates.Author: Dominic Andersen , Director at Scottsdale Consulting Ltd.T: 01908 226400]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-10-29T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=167]]></link>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Investing for Income]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[



Spreading capital across different shares and different asset classes
The recent volatility of global markets has tested the nerves of even the most experienced investors, making it a difficult time for individuals who rely on income from investments for some or all of their needs.
To avoid concentrating risk, it is important not to 'put all your eggs in one basket' by investing in just one share or in one asset class. If appropriate to your particular situation spreading capital across different shares and different asset classes can reduce the overall level of risk.
Create a diversified portfolio There are opportunities to create a diversified portfolio through investing with fund managers who have the experience, talent and robust investment process that can withstand the ever-changing economic and financial climate and deliver a return above inflation over the medium to long term.
Funds are typically seen as a way to build up a lump sum of money over time, perhaps for retirement, but they can also be used to provide you with a regular income.
Type of income funds
There are four main types of income fund:
Money Market Funds &ndash; pay interest and aim to protect the value of your money.
Bond (Fixed Income) Funds &ndash; pay a higher rate of interest than cash deposits, but there is some risk that the value of your original investment will fall.
Equity Income Funds &ndash; the income comes from dividends paid to shareholders. In return for some risk to your capital, you may get a more regular income than you would from cash, and that income, as well as your capital, may increase over time.
Property Funds &ndash; pay income from rents, but the value of your investment can fall as well as rise. There are also mixed asset funds, which invest your money in both bonds and equities.
Generating income
Interest from cash or money market funds The income varies in line with the interest rate set by the Bank of England. The fund's investment manager will aim to get the best rate available, helped by that fact that, with large sums to deposit, funds can often get better rates than individual investors. The capital amount you originally invested is unlikely to go down (subject to the limits for each deposit under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme). If the interest rate is lower than the rate of inflation, however, the real spending value of your investment is likely to fall.
Fixed interest from bonds Bonds are issued by governments (known as gilts in the UK) and companies (corporate bonds) to investors as a way to borrow money for a set period of time (perhaps 5 or 10 years). During that time, the borrower pays investors a fixed interest income (also known as a coupon) each year, and agrees to pay back the capital amount originally invested at an agreed future date (the redemption date). If you sell before that date, you will get the market price, which may be more or less than your original investment.
Many factors can affect the market price of bonds. The biggest fear is that the issuer/borrower will not be able to pay its lenders the interest and ultimately be unable to pay back the loan. Every bond is given a credit rating. This gives investors an indication of how likely the borrower is to pay the interest and to repay the loan. Typically, the lower the credit rating, the higher the income investors can expect to receive in return for the additional risk.
A more general concern is inflation, which will erode the real value of the interest paid by bonds. Falling inflation, often associated with falling bank interest rates, is therefore, typically good news for bond investors. Typically, bond prices rise if interest rates are expected to fall, and fall if interest rates go up.
If you invest in bonds via a fund, your income is likely to be steady, but it will not be fixed, as is the case in a single bond. This is because the mix of bonds held in the fund varies as bonds mature and new opportunities arise.
Dividends from shares and equity income funds Many companies distribute part of their profits each year to their shareholders in the form of dividends. Companies usually seek to keep their dividend distributions at a similar level to the previous year, or increase them if profit levels are high enough to warrant it.
Rental income from property and property funds Some people invest in "buy-to-let" properties in order to seek rental income and potential increase in property values. Property funds typically invest in commercial properties for the same reasons, but there are risks attached. For example, the underlying properties might be difficult to let and rental yields could fall. This could affect both the income you get and the capital value.
Balance your need for a regular income with the risks The income from a fund may be higher and more stable than the interest you get from cash deposited in a bank or building society savings account, but it can still go up and down. There may be some risk to the capital value of your investment, but if a regular income is important to you and you do not need to cash-in your investment for now, you may be prepared to take this risk.
Income funds of the same type are grouped in sectors The main sectors for income investors are: Money Market; Fixed Income (including UK Gilts, UK index-linked Gilts, Corporate Bond, Strategic Bond, Global Bond and High Yield); Equity Income; Mixed Asset (ie.UK Equity and Bond) and Property.
Look at the fund yield This figure allows you to assess how much income you may expect to get from a fund in one year. In the simplest form, it is the annual income as a percentage of the sum invested. Yields on bond funds can also be used to indicate the risks to your capital.
Decide how frequently you wish to receive your income All income funds must pay income at least annually, but some will pay income distributions twice a year, quarterly or monthly, so you can invest in a fund which has a distribution policy to suit your income needs.
Select income units/shares if you need cash regularly The income generated in a fund is paid out in cash to investors who own income units. If you choose the alternative - accumulation units/shares - your share of   the income will automatically be reinvested back into the fund.
Levels and bases of and reliefs from taxation are subject to legislative change and their value depends on the individual circumstances of the investor. 





The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation.&nbsp;
Contact one of our Investment specialists today for a personal appointment
Download our Investing for Income Brochure
email: info@sc-ifa.co.uk
&nbsp;



]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-09-28T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=166]]></link>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Retirement Planning]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[



Build your own  made-to-measure retirement solution
We can help you measure up what type of portfolio best suits your circumstances
A pension is one of the most tax-efficient ways of saving for retirement.
A Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) is essentially a pension wrapper that is capable of holding investments and providing you with the same tax advantages as other personal pension plans.
Tax benefits will depend on your circumstances Like all pensions, a SIPP offers up to 50 per cent tax relief on contributions and there is no capital gains tax or further income tax to pay. The tax benefits will depend on your circumstances and tax rules are subject to change by the government.
The maximum SIPP contribution is either &pound;3,600 or 100 per cent of an individual's income, up to a maximum of &pound;50,000 per annum. It is possible to contribute more than the annual allowance if you have any unused allowances from the previous three tax years.
However, whereas traditional pensions typically limit investment choice to a shorter list of funds, normally run by the pension company's own fund managers, a SIPP lets you invest in a much wider range of investments.
Investment choices You can choose from a number of different investments, unlike other traditional pension schemes, giving you control over where your money is invested.
Typically a SIPP will offer a wide range of investment options for those planning for retirement, including the following:  - Cash - Equities (both UK and foreign) - Gilts and other fixed income instruments - Unit trusts and OEICS - Funds, including hedge funds - Investment trusts - Real estate investment trusts (REITS) - Commercial property (including offices, shops or factory premises) and land - Traded endowment policies
Planning for your retirement This wide range of pension investment options means that planning for your retirement can be done more strategically, enabling the creation of a truly diversified pension investment portfolio and the spreading of risk across a range of asset classes.
One of the major advantages of a SIPP is that you can consolidate other pensions, allowing you to bring together your retirement savings. This simplifies the management of your investment portfolio and makes regular investment reviews easier.
Taking benefits from your SIPP When you reach the age of 55 you can take benefits from your SIPP. Traditionally, you would take 25 per cent of the value of the fund and use the remaining 75 per cent to purchase a pension annuity. The annuity provides an income for the rest of your life but, once you have purchased it, you lose access to your pension fund.
Drawdown provides you with an income and still leaves you with access to your pension. The funds remain invested, so you're still in control of your investments but there is a risk that if the income being taken is combined with poor investment performance, then the fund will decline and so will the income you can draw from it.
 No minimum         income requirement The maximum income that can be taken is  100 per cent of the equivalent pension annuity; there is no minimum income requirement so it can be set at zero. On your death it can be used to fund an income for your dependants or be paid out as a lump sum (less a 55 per cent tax charge) to a nominated beneficiary. This level of choice can be expensive to offer and many people find that they do not need it, so lower-cost SIPPs have been developed that focus on investment funds only. These lower-cost SIPPs usually offer significantly more fund options than you would be offered in a traditional pension scheme.
Monitoring your investments Some of the investments you choose will carry a certain amount of risk. You will be solely responsible for any investments and you will not receive additional help. The option is available to get some help, but this will incur additional costs.
Being solely responsible for your investment will require you monitoring your investments, and possibly checking on them regularly. A SIPP investment, like any investment, is never guaranteed and you should obtain professional advice.
All figures relate to the 2012/13 tax year. A pension is a long-term investment, and the fund value may fluctuate and can go down. Your eventual income may depend upon the size of the fund at retirement, future interest rates and tax legislation.





The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation.
Contact one of our specialists to arrange a meeting today:
tel 01908 226400
e. info@sc-ifa.co.uk
&nbsp;



]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-09-21T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=165]]></link>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Work Place Pensions]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[You may have noticed the launch of a government sponsored advertising campaign on TV and other media that is heralding the long awaited pension reform.
From October &ndash; Auto- Enrolment will commence in larger companies and this means that eligible job holders will be automatically enrolled in a Work Place Pension scheme. Contributions will be mandatory unless the worker opts out.
Read more here and visit our web site Smart Guides for retirement options.
We have specialist advisers available to discuss the implications and options with employers and staff, so please contact us today to arrange a meeting:
&nbsp;
Tel. 01908 2264 00
e. info@sc-ifa.co.uk]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-09-20T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=164]]></link>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Pensions - Tax Efficient Planning Opportunities]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[



Time is running out
Pensions have long been a highly tax-efficient way to save for retirement. If applicable to your particular situation, here are two opportunities you may wish to consider before the rules change next April.
50 per cent tax relief 
While the 50 per cent additional tax rate is in place, it is still possible to receive up to 50 per cent tax relief on contributions to pensions during this current tax year. The 50 per cent rate will be reduced to 45 per cent from 6 April 2013, and this is therefore the last tax year to receive tax relief at up to         50 per cent on pension contributions.
Carry forward of unused reliefs
You may be able to contribute in excess of the annual allowance of &pound;50,000 and receive tax relief using Carry Forward relief if you have contributed less than &pound;50,000 in any of the previous three tax years. If you pay 50 per cent tax, you need to do this in the current tax year to maximise tax relief before it drops to 45 per cent. As this is a complex area, professional advice should be sought.
All figures relate to the 2012/13 tax year. A pension is a long-term investment, and the fund value may fluctuate and can go down. Your eventual income may depend upon the size of the fund at retirement, future interest rates and tax legislation.





The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation
Contact one of our specialsts for&nbsp; a personal appointment
&nbsp;



]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-09-06T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=163]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Personal and Business Protection - Your Smart Guide]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Welcome to our &lsquo;Guide to Protection Planning&rsquo;. Bad news can impact on any one of us at any time, in the form of an illness, or sudden death. We don&rsquo;t like to think about it, but we do have to plan for it. So having the correct protection strategy in place will enable you to protect your family&rsquo;s lifestyle if your income suddenly changes due to premature death or illness. But choosing the right options can bedifficult without obtaining professional advice to ensure you protect your family from financial hardship.Download the full Smart Protection GuidePlease contact one of our Protection Specialists to arrange a personal appointment
Or Tel 01908 226400]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-09-05T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=162]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Annuities - In the News again]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[The press is having a field day again with the usual 'doom and gloom' about annuities and falling annuity rates.
The rates, have gone down of course, but there are still a great number of options available to those at the point of retiring or taking benefits.
These include:
AnnuityEnhanced Annuity
Capped Income DrawdownFlexible Income DrawdownPhased income Drawdown
Please visit our Pension Smart Guide Section to download important information that will help guide you through the maze of options.
It is important that you seek financial advice at this time and we have specialsts on hand to help you.
Please contact us today for an initial conversation.
tel 01908 226400
e. info@sc-ifa.co.uk
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-08-29T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=160]]></link>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Latest Financial News]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[We publish Smart Money, our regular Bi-Monthly Magazine which is full or useful and topical financial updates.
Please Subscribe here to receive your free e-copy of the next issue]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-08-29T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=161]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Pensions Auto Enrolment - Update]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[



Millions of people  are not saving enough
Only 7 per cent of larger employers have firm plans on auto-enrolment
Millions of people are not saving enough to have the income they are likely to want in retirement. Life expectancy in the UK is increasing and at the same time people are saving less into pensions.
In 1901 there were 10 people working for every pensioner in the UK. In 2005 there were 4 people working for every pensioner. By 2050 it is expected that this will change to just two workers for every pensioner.*
Reform of         workplace pensions The Pensions Act 2008 laid the foundations for a fundamental reform of workplace pensions, requiring every employer to automatically enrol their workers into a qualifying pension scheme, if they are not already in one, and contribute to that pension.
Addressing the issues Automatic enrolment aims to address the issues that prevent people from saving into a pension scheme, such as:
- pensions saving being complicated  and confusing; - people simply not getting around to it; - a lack of suitable pension products being available for people on low to moderate incomes; and - lack of employer pension provision, particularly in smaller firms.
Auto-enrolment regulatory requirements The majority of larger employers (93 per cent) do not yet have firm plans in place to meet auto-enrolment regulatory requirements, according to research from Standard Life. The timing depends upon the size of the employer. This will apply to very large employers first, in late 2012 and early 2013. Other employers will follow during 2013 to 2016.
The pension scheme must be a qualifying scheme, meaning it must meet certain government standards. This is the first time that employers have been required by law to contribute to their workers&rsquo; pensions.
Undecided about contribution levels Of the 200 larger employers surveyed by Standard Life, just 7 per cent had reached a decision on how they will deal with auto-enrolment. 39 per cent had set a date by which a decision will be made, however, over half of those surveyed (54 per cent) did not know when they would have their plans in place.
Over half (56 per cent) were undecided about the contribution levels they would be making for new members being auto-enrolled. Around a third  (36 per cent) of employers confirmed they would pay the same levels and just 5 per cent indicated they would reduce payment for new members.
The research highlights that many employers still have some big decisions to make. The majority of those surveyed will need to commence auto-enrolment at some point during 2013 and there is a great deal of planning work that needs to be undertaken.
Spending time now understanding the financial impact of auto-enrolment will help employers identify the difficult decisions that need to be made. The sooner employers start the planning process, the easier the financial and administrative transition will be. To find out more please contact us. 
*Department for Work and Pensions




The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation


]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-07-24T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=159]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[SCAM Warning]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[SCAM WarningWe have had several calls from members of the public who have been contacted by a company called Scottsdale Capital Consultancy based in New York. &nbsp;This company has NO CONNECTION WITH US AT ALL.The SCAMTheir story is that (Aberdeen Growth VCT PLC) has had a rights issue, and if you sign a Non Disclosure Agreement, and give them money (&pound;6,000 quoted), they will ensure you get an increased allocation with a 15 times return.&nbsp; &nbsp;This has all the signs of being a &lsquo;Boiler Room&rsquo; scam and we are very anxious that our clients are not deceived by this company.If you have been contacted by this company please observe the following points:&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;We are in no way associated with this company&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Their company is not FSA registered&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;We have notified the FSA concerning this company &bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;If you are contacted by them you must also contact the
FSA to complete the necessary form
http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/doing/regulated/law/alerts/form.shtml
&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;If you have invested money or transferred ownership of shares they need to contact their local police and Action Fraud.&nbsp;
The link for this is http://www.cityoflondon.police.uk/CityPolice/Departments/ECD/Fraud/boilerroom.htmIf you need further clarity or genuine Independent Financial Advice please contact us atTel 01908 226400E. info@sc-ifa.co.uk]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-07-13T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=158]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Scottsdale Currency Card]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Scottsdale is delighted to annouce that we have teamed up with Moneycorp to bring you the Enhanced Exporer Currency Card. Check out the great features below and apply from Monday 2 July 2012
Enhanced Explorer card from Moneycorp
Available online onlyYou can hold any or all of the following 14 currencies on this type of prepaid card:&bull;    Euro&bull;    US dollar&bull;    British pound&bull;    Australian dollar&bull;    Canadian dollar&bull;    Danish krone&bull;    Hong Kong dollar&bull;    Japanese yen&bull;    New Zealand dollar&bull;    Norwegian krone&bull;    South African rand&bull;    Swiss franc&bull;    Swedish krona&bull;    Singapore dollarYou can have up to 14 different currencies on your card and they will effectively sit in separate 'wallets'. Please insert SCOTT1 as the partner code at the beginning of your application&rdquo;To move money from one wallet to another, you can do this online here.You can use your secure, PIN-protected card wherever Visa is accepted - that's over 31 million merchant outlets worldwide (as well as over 1.4 million ATMs). Some restrictions may apply.
You can have a maximum balance of &pound;10,000 (or currency equivalent) on your Enhanced Explorer card. Key benefits&bull;    You can hold any or all of 14 different currencies on the card.&bull;    Can be used wherever Visa is accepted.&bull;    Safer than carrying cash overseas.&bull;    Protects against negative currency movements.&bull;    Safer than a debit card because there is no link to your bank account.&bull;    No fees on ATM withdrawals or store purchases outside of the UK.&bull;    Free online access to balance and transaction history.&bull;    SMS text services available, including PIN reminders.You must be a UK resident aged 18 years or over and own a UK-issued payment card to apply for this type of Explorer card.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-07-11T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=157]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Increasing your Annuity]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[



Could you be entitled to         a higher level of  retirement income?
If you have underlying health conditions you should talk to us
Nearly three quarters (72 per cent) of UK adults aged 55 and over are unaware that certain medical conditions could entitle them to a higher level of pension income through their annuity provider, according to research [1] from MGM Advantage.
The research also reveals that 70 per cent of retired people are potentially missing out on a higher income in their retirement because they are not taking advantage of the higher income offered by providers if they have underlying health conditions that would qualify them for an enhanced annuity. Qualifying conditions for an enhanced annuity include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes.A higher level         of income in retirement Furthermore, 71 per cent of employed people aged 55 plus are also unaware that certain medical conditions could entitle them to a higher level of income once         they have retired. Nearly four in five  (78 per cent) women aged 55 plus and nearly two thirds (65 per cent) of men aged 55 plus fail to understand that they could be eligible for higher income levels in retirement. These are people who are fast approaching retirement and should already be thinking about their retirement income options, especially when living costs and longevity are consistently rising.
Underlying health conditions It is an unfortunate fact of life that as we get older, we are more at risk of getting underlying health conditions. If appropriate, those buying an annuity should have a health check and be sure to inform their annuity provider of any health conditions to see if they qualify for an enhanced annuity. The difference between a standard and an enhanced annuity can be significant and could make a real difference, particularly when the cost of living is squeezing finances.Qualifying for         a higher pension income According to MGM Advantage, 40 per cent of UK adults aged 55 and over have or have had high blood pressure and         33 per cent have had high cholesterol, both of which are conditions that could qualify them for a higher pension income.
However, one in seven (14 per cent) of over 55s still working said it had been more than five years since they last had a health check, with a further 11 per cent not able to remember when they last had a test.
Getting the best annuity rate possible To ensure you are getting the best annuity rate possible, you should also exercise the Open Market Option and shop around for the best annuity rate. MGM Advantage warns that people who do not mention any underlying health issue could risk losing out financially as enhanced annuities pay out on average 20.68 per cent more for men and 22.15 per cent more for women [2].
[1] The research was conducted online by Research Plus between 7-17 October 2011 with 2,086 UK adults aged 55 years and over, of which 1,261 were retired and 825 non retired. [2] According to stats from the MGM Advantage Annuity Index September 2011.





The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. For more information please contact one of our pension specialsts
t. 01908 226400 MKt. 0845 5046444 Londonemail. info@sc-ifa.co.uk



]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-07-05T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=156]]></link>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Enhanced Currency Card]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Scottsdale is delighted to annouce that we have teamed up with Moneycorp to bring you the Enhanced Exporer Currency Card. Check out the great features below and apply from Monday 2 July 2012
Enhanced Explorer card from Moneycorp
Available online onlyYou can hold any or all of the following 14 currencies on this type of prepaid card:&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Euro&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;US dollar&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;British pound&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Australian dollar&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Canadian dollar&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Danish krone&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Hong Kong dollar&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Japanese yen&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;New Zealand dollar&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Norwegian krone&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;South African rand&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Swiss franc&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Swedish krona&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Singapore dollarYou can have up to 14 different currencies on your card and they will effectively sit in separate 'wallets'. Please insert &lsquo;Scottsdale&rsquo; as the partner code at the beginning of your application&rdquo;To move money from one wallet to another, you can do this online here.You can use your secure, PIN-protected card wherever Visa is accepted - that's over 31 million merchant outlets worldwide (as well as over 1.4 million ATMs). Some restrictions may apply.
You can have a maximum balance of &pound;10,000 (or currency equivalent) on your Enhanced Explorer card. Key benefits&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;You can hold any or all of 14 different currencies on the card.&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Can be used wherever Visa is accepted.&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Safer than carrying cash overseas.&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Protects against negative currency movements.&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Safer than a debit card because there is no link to your bank account.&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;No fees on ATM withdrawals or store purchases outside of the UK.&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Free online access to balance and transaction history.&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;SMS text services available, including PIN reminders.You must be a UK resident aged 18 years or over and own a UK-issued payment card to apply for this type of Explorer card.
]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-06-29T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=155]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Time to Retire? Your Choices Explained]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Time to Retire?What to do when you receive the retirement pack from your pension provider?What NOT to do? Do not just accept the offer that the insurance company sends out; there are now many options available to those who are coming to the point of retirement and taking their well earned pension benefits.
You should not be depressed by the &lsquo;doomsayers&rsquo; who offer only a pessimistic world view, there are in fact many attractive options available to choose from.
Whether you are fully retiring or choosing just to work less and need to supplement your income, there is a solution for you to consider.
A tax-free cash lump sum is still available from pension funds and this can be substantial. Income can be level or indexed and your spouse can be provided for in the selection you make.&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Health and lifestyle can be taken into account&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;With annuity rates being low &ndash; Fixed term or &lsquo;Temporary&rsquo;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Annuities are a good choice for some
&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Income Drawdown and Flexible income Drawdown are&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; also a viable alternative for larger funds. For a fuller explanation please download our &lsquo;Smart Guides&rsquo; which will give you more details of your options. Above all, please do contact us for a personal consultation so that we can help you find the right solution for you.ANNUITESFLEXIBLE DRAWDOWNRETIREMENT PLANNING
t. 01908 226400 MKt. 0845 5046444 Londonemail. info@sc-ifa.co.uk]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-06-27T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=154]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Solicitors Seminar - Trustee Challenges]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[CPD Accredited Seminar on
&lsquo;Answers to the Many Challenges Facing Trustees&rsquo;The directors of Scottsdale Consulting cordially invite you to the Trust Seminar we are holding on Tuesday 3rd July 2012 at 12.00pm at Brewin Dolphin offices at 12 Smithfield Street, London, EC1A 9BD.&nbsp; This popular CPD accredited seminar addresses many of the issues and significant challenges that trustees and deputies face in the management of the trust funds for which they are responsible.&nbsp; &nbsp;With the conundrum of high taxation rates and low deposit rates, many trustees are finding it difficult to generate the level of income or capital growth required by beneficiaries.&nbsp; This is accompanied by the stringent demands of the Trustee Act 2000, as well as several recent high profile court cases, including two successful HMRC appeals overturning the well used Hastings-Bass Principle.&nbsp; These are just a few of the problems and concerns which has focused trustees minds on their advice and ongoing obligations. &nbsp;To help ease these onerous duties we have invited Steve Skelding, Divisional Director at Brewin Dolphin Investments to demonstrate how your numerous assortment of responsibilities can be more easily met.&nbsp; Steve will provide an overview of the various strategies that can be employed on existing and new trusts to help cover these obligations whilst providing a tax efficient investment portfolio. Steve has spent 20 years working with Solicitor&rsquo;s, Accountant&rsquo;s and IFA&rsquo;s, with a particular emphasis on taxation and creating appropriate investment portfolios for trustees and individual clients.Conscious of your valuable time registration will start from 12pm with a prompt start at 12.15pm and anticipated finish at 2pm. Refreshments will be provided from 12.00p.m.&nbsp; The seminar provides 2 hours/points SRA Accredited CPD.As you will appreciate numbers are limited for this event so to secure your place please RSVP to Sue Dupree at s.dupree@sc-ifa.co.uk or on 01908 226400 by Wednesday 27th of June. &nbsp;We hope you are able to join us and we look forward to welcoming you to the at Brewin Dolphin offices at 12 Smithfield Street, London, EC1A 9BD (full details and directions on request).]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-06-22T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=153]]></link>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Employers'  Guide to Pension Reform ( NEST)]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[October 2012 will see the start of major companies reaching their stage date as they begin to contribute to a pension scheme for their employees, but what does this mean for the employer?Why Pension Reform?
Quite simply, as people live longer the State Pension becomes less able to support individuals fully in retirement.&nbsp; It&rsquo;s anticipated that seven million people aren&rsquo;t saving enough for their retirement and so the onus is now being put on employers to encourage more people to save. &nbsp;Role of the employer
If you&rsquo;re an employer, you&rsquo;ll have to offer a qualifying pension scheme to all employees and contribute up to 3% into that scheme.&nbsp; The 3% that you contribute will be matched with 4% by the employee and a further 1% being made up by tax relief on the pension contributions.&nbsp; This will be spread out over a 3 year period.The size of your company will determine when your staging dates begin, so if you&rsquo;re unaware of this please speak to your Financial Adviser now.&nbsp; The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) will write to you and let you know when your staging date will be and failure to comply can lead to heavy fines. This does need planning and consideration when thinking about your business plan and cash flow.As Pension Reform is compulsory, you will have to offer a scheme to your employees and once it&rsquo;s in place the scheme will then have to be administered. There will be three options available to all employers:1.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;You already have a scheme in place, which does meet the criteria and therefore, no further action is needed.&nbsp; If you have a scheme you may want to discuss and review this with your Financial Adviser to ensure that it&rsquo;s fit for purpose.
2.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;You have a scheme in place, which does not match the criteria and will need changing &ndash; again discuss this with your Financial Adviser.
3.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;You have no scheme in place.&nbsp; You may need to act now or start thinking about this &ndash; again discuss with your Financial Adviser.National Employers Savings Trust (NEST)
To help employers NEST is a low cost government backed pension scheme, which has been designed to meet the criteria.The scheme is low in cost, but offers no financial advice and does have its restrictions.You may wish to consider using a NEST scheme or an alternative plan, which would be available through your Financial Adviser.Pension Reform summary
This is a brief overview and more news will follow on this very important issue, which will have an impact on your business and your employees.
Important factors to understand are as follows:&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Pensions Reform is Compulsory&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;When is my staging date?&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;What provisions do I have in place?
Download this article as a PDF
Employers' Guide
Do not delay, act now and speak to one of our corporate pension advisers.t. 01908 226400 MK&nbsp;t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh&nbsp;t. 0845 5046444 London&nbsp;email. info@sc-ifa.co.uk]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-06-14T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=152]]></link>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Home Prices Up Despite Weak Economy]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[According to&nbsp; the June 2012 HAPIndex from Home.co.uk - "Home Prices Up Despite Weak Economy"Supply of homes to the market has increased but remains 5% lower last month than in May 2011.Asking prices for homes on the market in England and Wales have moved up a further 0.3% since last month.Average UK asking price rises to highest value since Dec 2008.Home prices are rising in most English regions and Scotland. Prices fell back slightly in Wales, East Midlands and the South West over the last month.Greater London supply of homes for sale is 40% less than May 2008.Annual change in asking prices: +1.9% 6-month change: +2.2%Contact one of our mortgage specialists today to check out your options.&nbsp;t. 01908 226400 MK&nbsp;t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh&nbsp;t. 0845 5046444 London&nbsp;email. info@sc-ifa.co.uk&nbsp;Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-06-12T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=151]]></link>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Mortgage Approvals Up]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[According to 'Money Marketing' 30 May 2012 edition,
'there were 51,823 mortgage approvals for house purchase in April, up slightly from the 51,067 in March, the latest figures from the Bank of England show.
There were also 31,214 remortgage approvals in the month, also up from 29,713 in March.'
Mortgage specialists at Scottsdale Consulting are available to advice on your mortgage options:
Please contact us today:
t. 01908 226400 MK t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh t. 0845 5046444 London email. info@sc-ifa.co.uk]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-06-01T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=149]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Financial News Update June 2012]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[












&nbsp;


A recap - where are we now?
An extract for an article by Principal Investment manager june 2012
 The immediate crisis in the eurozone has dissipated, but the underlying     imbalances remain largely unresolved




 &bull;


&nbsp; Economic growth has been uneven but most major economies have strengthened a     little this year, aided in the developed world by the LTRO in the eurozone     and further quantitative easing in the UK and US.




 &bull;


&nbsp; Although China&rsquo;s growth rate has been downgraded, the ensuing monetary     easing in developing markets could give a much needed boost.




 &bull;


&nbsp; Politics may get more attention from markets. The coming US election will     draw focus, with Iran in the background and in Europe the host of elections     will continue to be keenly watched.&nbsp;




So the   direction of markets over the next quarter is likely to be decided by:




&nbsp;




&bull;&nbsp;


The extent to which sentiment       in the eurozone remains sanguine. &nbsp;




&bull;&nbsp;


The continuation of the       improvement in global growth.




&bull;&nbsp;


The speed with which monetary stimulus       is withdrawn.





&bull;


Political events, Iran is       always in focus and the election in Greece is likely to be especially       important.





&nbsp;








The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. For more information please contact us:  t. 01908 226400 MK  t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh  t. 0845 5046444 London  email. info@sc-ifa.co.uk





&nbsp;]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-06-01T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=150]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Solicitor Struck Off ]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Solicitor struck off for Referring Clients to a &lsquo;tied&rsquo; adviser instead of an IFA, so read the headline in the financial publication &lsquo;Money Marketing&rsquo; - &nbsp;&nbsp;24 May 2012.
The report goes on to say, &lsquo;The Solicitors Regulation Authority brought the case to the Solicitor Disciplinary Tribunal against a Kent based Solicitor, based on 3 alleged breaches of the Solicitor Code of Conduct 2007.
It alleged that he failed to refer his clients to IFAs (Independent Financial Advisers), for advice, allowed his independence to be compromised........&rsquo;
The report continues, &lsquo;It is vital that solicitors are aware of their duty to act in the best interests of their clients and refer to IFAs. This is particularly important after RDR (Retail Distribution Review), when advisers may describe themselves as &lsquo;restricted whole of market&rsquo;, but not truly independent.&rsquo;
Read full article:
Scottsdale Consulting ( IFA), have great relationships with &nbsp;a number of respected Solicitor practices in Milton Keynes and London and are available to offer Independent advice to clients on any or all aspects of financial planning.
Please contact us:
t. 01908 226400 MK  t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh  t. 0845 5046444 London]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-05-30T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=148]]></link>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[The Impact of Budget 2012 on Financial Planning]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[How&nbsp; do the changes affect your pocket?
Change to retirement age
The Chancellor confirmed in Budget 2012 that he would increase the state pension age and that we should brace ourselves for having to work much longer in the future. There are already two increases to the state pension age scheduled for 2019 and 2026. If after 2026 the state pension age increases in line with our changing life expectancy, we could expect that someone who is currently 37 won&rsquo;t be able to start drawing their state pension until they are 70 and someone who is 21 won&rsquo;t receive it until they are 75. This means that children born in 2012 are unlikely to get their state pension until age 80, if life expectancy at retirement rises in line with the last 30 years. This is a considerable change for everyone, but women in particular have to make a big psychological adjustment as their state pension age is leaping forward.The two increases already planned for 2019 and 2026 will be followed by increases every five years thereafter. If you are thinking &lsquo;this won&rsquo;t really affect me, I&rsquo;m still going to aim to retire at 60 or 65 anyway&rsquo;, unless all of us save a lot harder, many people could still be working well into their seventies.Pensions tax relief
The Chancellor did not make a change to tax relief on pension contributions. This valuable incentive encourages more people to save for their retirement years. Tax relief on qualifying contributions into private pensions means that a &pound;100 investment made by a basic rate tax payer is automatically topped up to &pound;125. And if you are a higher rate tax payer you can still claim the higher rate tax rebate too. This tax incentive encourages many to make the most of pension contributions now, so they can make the most of their retirement in the future.No change on GAD maximum
The government did not make changes to the drawdown Government Actuary&rsquo;s Department (GAD) maximum. People starting drawdown or who have reviewed it during the last year may have had their income affected by falling gilt yields caused by the Bank of England quantitative easing programme. At the same time annuities have also experienced a similar impact, but to a lesser degree as they are backed by a mix of corporate bonds and gilts.Government ends salary sacrifice to fund employee&rsquo;s spouse&rsquo;s pension
The government announced the cessation of salary sacrifice to fund an employee&rsquo;s spouse&rsquo;s pension. This tax &lsquo;idea&rsquo; involved an employee sacrificing salary or bonus and their employer paying this into the employee&rsquo;s spouse&rsquo;s pension up to the annual allowance, including carry-forward.Introduction of a general anti-avoidance rule (GAAR)
The direction of travel towards a more limited form of GAAR was set out in the Aaronson Report in November last year. Those endorsing sensible tax planning should have nothing to fear if the recommendations in that report, which target schemes that are artificial or contrived, are implemented. Individuals implementing tried and tested routes to mitigate UK tax should not be affected.Extension to IHT spouse exemption for European domiciled spouse
A consultation review of the restriction on the spouse/civil partner exemption was announced. In the last few years, EU law has had an increasing impact on UK Inheritance Tax (IHT). IHT reliefs and exemptions for agricultural property and charities have been extended to cover the European Economic Area in 2009 and 2010. The announcement is good news for those whose spouse/civil partner is from another country, meaning they are domiciled there rather than in the UK. It should remove a tax worry and layer of IHT complexity for mobile people with international connections.Changes to discretionary trusts
One of the most complex elements of IHT, the ten-year charge and exit charge calculations for IHT in discretionary trusts, is to be simplified. This could be good news for trustees and beneficiaries of these trusts, of which there are thousands in the UK. HM Revenue &amp; Customs statistics show that 101,000 of these types of trust were included in tax returns filed in 2009/10.Laws and tax rules may change in the future. Information is based on our understanding in March 2012. Your personal circumstances also have an impact on tax treatment.&nbsp; The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. For more information please&nbsp; contact us:t. 01908 226400 MK&nbsp;t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh&nbsp;t. 0845 5046444 London&nbsp;email. info@sc-ifa.co.uk]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Are you Saving Enough to Live on?]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[The closer you get to retirement the greater the need to talk to us
Retirement is something we all look forward to and, even if it seems a long way off, the crucial question is &lsquo;Do you have enough saved for a comfortable retirement?&rsquo; Whatever the answer, it&rsquo;s not too late to boost your retirement savings. The closer you get to retiring the greater the need to preserve your savings and ensure they will last all through your retirement. We can help you assess whether you need to make changes to your investments as you approach retirement.Investing in non-pension savings will enable you to use these to supplement your pension income - and still access your money if you need to. Having the right mix of investments will help your savings outpace inflation. If you are approaching retirement you will generally be able to take up to 25 per cent of your pension fund as a tax-free lump sum. This could be used to supplement your retirement income by reinvesting in a flexible investment.
Wherever you are with your retirement savings, don&rsquo;t be put off from taking action - there are still steps you could take to boost the income you&rsquo;ll get when you retire.
A pension is a long-term investment. The fund value may fluctuate and can go down as well as up. You may not get back your original investment. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Tax benefits may vary as a result of statutory change and their value will depend on individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.&nbsp;The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. For more information please Contact us:
t. 01908 226400 MK t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh t. 0845 5046444 London email. info@sc-ifa.co.uk]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Eradicate any Financial Worries - Protect your Income]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Choosing the right solutions that are most relevant to your current lifestyle is the key
Most of us don&rsquo;t like to think about how we would manage if we were ill and unable to work. But it&rsquo;s important to sit down and think about the future in this way, if only to give both you and your loved ones peace of mind. A little forward planning now could provide you or your family with a regular income or cash lump sum at a time when financial worries should be the last thing on your minds. There are a number of different solutions to choose from. In an ideal world we&rsquo;d be able to afford them all. But with so many other everyday financial responsibilities, it&rsquo;s better to choose the ones that are most relevant to your lifestyle now. Then, as your needs change, you can change the type of protection that you have in place.Income protection matters Income protection insurance is designed to provide you with a guaranteed regular income if you&rsquo;re too ill to work due to sickness or injury. You usually continue to receive this regular income until you&rsquo;re well enough to return to work. You&rsquo;ll often find income protection referred to as permanent health insurance, income replacement insurance or long-term disability cover - but they basically do the same thing. When you buy income protection you choose how much income you want to receive. The maximum income is typically up to 65 per cent of your earned income. The payments are tax-free though, so the shortfall might not be as much as you think. &nbsp;You need to choose when you want the regular payments to start should you have to make a claim, so you need to include any payments from your employer. Income protection typically pays out until you retire or you recover but you can choose to stop it earlier, perhaps once a mortgage has been paid off. Payments will also stop if you do go back to work. If you were to fall ill again you may be able to claim again.The critical factorHow would you cope financially if you were suddenly diagnosed with a critical illness and what effect would it have on your lifestyle? Critical illness insurance can pay out a tax-free cash sum should the insured person be diagnosed with one of a range of specified critical illnesses while the policy is in force. Critical illness cover can be either arranged on its own or included as part of other forms of insurance, such as life cover.Critical illness polices can vary in the illnesses they cover but most cover illnesses which are consistent with the Association of British Insurers&rsquo; list of critical illnesses. These include cancer, heart attack and stroke.You can choose the length of time you want the policy to run for - many will stop when you reach 70 years of age - but it could coincide with the end of your mortgage or children finishing school or university.&nbsp; The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. For more information please contact us:
t. 01908 226400 MK t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh t. 0845 5046444 London email. info@sc-ifa.co.uk]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-05-16T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Is it Time to  get more Flexible with your Money?]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Remove the cap on the retirement income you can take
Pension legislation is always on the move and keeping up to date with the latest changes could open up new opportunities for you in retirement. In April 2011, some of the most significant changes in pension legislation for five years were announced. Gaining more controlMany of these changes were designed to limit what the government clearly sees as over-generous tax relief concessions. But other changes have created the very appealing prospect, for people aged 55 or more, of gaining more control over when and how they can use their retirement savings.Under the current rules, if you meet certain eligibility criteria, you can now take as much as you want from your pension without the maximum income restrictions that apply to conventional drawdown arrangements. To be eligible for this facility - known as &lsquo;flexible drawdown&rsquo; - you have to show that you already have a &lsquo;secure pension income&rsquo; of &pound;20,000.Enhanced drawdown facilitiesWhile, for many people, buying an annuity is likely to remain the most appropriate method of accessing their pension income, some will want to take advantage of these enhanced drawdown facilities. Flexible drawdown could, for example, be used to meet one-off large expenditure items as they arise or to optimise your tax liabilities. It could also be a way to pass money through the generations, either by &lsquo;gifting&rsquo; regular payments, for example into trusts, or as pension contributions to children using &lsquo;normal expenditure&rsquo; rules so as to help avoid Inheritance Tax. Paying income taxIn moving money out of your pension fund before you die, you will be paying Income Tax on such payments but at a rate that is lower than the 55 per cent tax charge payable on a lump-sum payment from your pension fund should you die.Another age-restricted benefit where the rules have been eased is the opportunity to take tax-free cash - typically a quarter of your pension pot - when you first start to take your pension benefits. Until April 2011, if you hadn&rsquo;t taken your tax-free cash by age 75, you lost the chance to do so. Now that restriction is removed too.Pension contractDepending on your circumstances, all these changes may well sound like good news, but there&rsquo;s one important thing to be aware of. Just because the rules about when and how you take pension benefits have changed, it doesn&rsquo;t mean your pension contract will have changed as well.If the terms of your contract have not been updated to reflect the new legislation, you could find that you can&rsquo;t take advantage of them. You could still find yourself obliged to buy an annuity at age 75. And if you haven&rsquo;t taken your tax-free lump sum at that age, you could still lose the opportunity to do so. A pension is a long-term investment. The fund value may fluctuate and can go down as well as up. You may not get back your original investment. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Tax benefits may vary as a result of statutory change and their value will depend on individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.&nbsp; The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. For more information please&nbsp; contact us:t. 01908 226400 MK&nbsp;t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh&nbsp;t. 0845 5046444 London&nbsp;email. info@sc-ifa.co.uk]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-05-16T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[What the Chancellor Had to Say]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Creating a stable economy, a fairer, more efficient and simpler tax system and further reforms to support growthThe Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, presented his third Budget speech to Parliament on 21 March 2012.
It maintained the government&rsquo;s strategy to reduce the deficit, contained far-reaching tax reforms and support for growth and reward for work. The Chancellor set out the actions the government will take in three areas - creating a stable economy, a fairer, more efficient and simpler tax system and further reforms to support growth.Tax matters
There was a welcome increase in the Income Tax Personal Allowance for the 2013/14 tax year to &pound;9,205, not far off the government&rsquo;s stated target of &pound;10,000.However, for the elderly this was largely neutralised - or worse - by the unexpected abolition of the Age Related Personal Allowance from 2013/14 for those not yet 65, and the freezing of the allowance for those who are. Then there was the reduction in the highest rate of Income Tax from 50 per cent to 45 per cent from 2013/14. It seems likely that taxpayers may wish to delay income receipts until after 5 April 2013, if they are able. In contrast to the reduction in the top rate of Income Tax, there was a focus on increasing the take from other taxes, with a number of new measures aimed at raising more revenue from the wealthy.Residential property 
A new higher 7 per cent Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) rate on properties costing more than &pound;2m was introduced. Also, the UK will now copy many other countries in taxing the gains realised by non-residents on UK property disposals. However, this will (at least initially) not apply to individuals, and will apply only to gains realised on residential property.Child benefit 
Child benefit will now bring a reduced benefit for those with income of over &pound;50,000 (this is subject to tapering when the claimant earns over &pound;50,000, with it being reduced entirely for those with an income over &pound;60,000).The first steps were also taken to limiting the amount of tax reliefs such as charitable gifts, losses and loan interest. From 2013/14 the total relief will be limited to &pound;50,000, or 25 per cent of the individual&rsquo;s income, whichever is the greater.Tax avoidance 
As part of the government&rsquo;s plan to introduce further measures against tax avoidance, it was no surprise that the headline measure was the new SDLT rate of 15 per cent for residential properties acquired for more than &pound;2m by certain &lsquo;non-natural&rsquo; persons (i.e. not individuals). This applies immediately and it is also planned to introduce an annual charge for properties owned by these non-natural persons, but only from 2013. The Chancellor made it clear that attempts to circumvent the new rules would be blocked retrospectively. Inheritance Tax
Other welcome measures included a proposal to increase the Inheritance Tax (IHT) threshold from &pound;55,000 for gifts from a domiciled to a non-domiciled spouse (or civil partner); and for the non-domiciled spouse to elect to be treated as domiciled - thus allowing full IHT exemption.Other measures
Many previously announced measures remained unaltered, such as the limits for tax-favoured investments in Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) shares (&pound;1m from 6 April 2012) and Venture Capital Trusts (VCT) shares (&pound;200,000 from 6 April 2012), and the IHT threshold (remaining at &pound;325,000). &nu;Levels of tax benefits are based on current or proposed legislation and may vary as a result of statutory change and their value will depend on individual circumstances.&nbsp; The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. For more information please contact us:t. 01908 226400 MK&nbsp;t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh&nbsp;t. 0845 5046444 London&nbsp;email. info@sc-ifa.co.uk]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-05-16T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Picking the Right Balance of Assets]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Keeping track of lots of individual assets can be a daunting task
Picking the right balance of assets for your portfolio depends upon your own risk profile. One way to protect your portfolio is to spread your risk by diversifying across several different types of investment funds and classes of securities and localities in order to distribute and control risk.Different risk characteristics
There are many different assets in which you can invest, each with different risk characteristics. While the risks attributable to assets cannot be avoided, when managed collectively as part of a diversified portfolio, they can be diluted.The main assets available are shares, bonds (also referred to as &lsquo;fixed interest&rsquo;), cash and property.While individual assets have a bearing on the overall level of risk you are exposed to, the correlation between the assets has an even greater bearing. The aim is to select assets that behave in different ways, the theory being that when one is underperforming, the other is &lsquo;outperforming&rsquo;. Fixed interest investments and property, for example, behave differently to share-based investments by offering lower, more consistent returns. This provides a &lsquo;safety net&rsquo; by diversifying away from many of the risks associated with reliance upon one particular asset.Spreading investments across different assetsKeeping track of lots of individual assets can be a daunting task. A much simpler solution is to acquire investment funds containing those assets and leave the diversification worries to professional management. By purchasing a fund that invests in, say, large blue chip companies, another that invests in smaller growth companies and others that invest overseas, you can spread investments across hundreds of different assets.Reduce share-specific risk by diversifyingBy diversifying within assets, you can spread your investments into different shares or bonds to ensure your portfolio is exposed to lots of different types of investments rather than, for example, having shares in just a few large companies. In this way, share-specific risk can be reduced should one of those companies experience difficulties.Different sectors perform in very different waysIt is just as important to spread your investments across different sectors &ndash; areas of the economy where businesses share the same or a related product or service, for example, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications or retail &ndash; as well as different companies. Companies are classified by the sector in which they reside, which is dependent on the goods or services they sell or provide. For many reasons, companies within different sectors perform in very different ways. By diversifying across sectors you can access shares with high growth expectations without over-exposing your portfolio as a whole to undue risk.Greater geographical diversification can help
It&rsquo;s natural to feel more comfortable investing a portfolio in your home market but this is not necessarily the most sensible option. Because investments in different geographical economies generally operate in different economic cycles, they have less than perfect correlation. That&rsquo;s why greater geographical diversification can help to offset losses in a portfolio and help to achieve better returns over time. Investments styles to suit your needsThis is another important aspect to consider when building an investment portfolio. Some investment funds use a &lsquo;passive&rsquo; strategy. This is an investment approach that aims to mirror or &lsquo;track&rsquo; the performance of a financial index. This is normally done by either investing in the exact constituents of an index or by taking a representative &lsquo;sample&rsquo; of that index. The managers of such funds have lower expenses than active fund managers, and the charges to investors are therefore lower.Other funds use an &lsquo;active&rsquo; approach and aim to beat the index by using their own research and analysis to select shares they believe will achieve greater returns. This information sets out the basics of portfolio diversification. It is not designed to be investment advice and should not be interpreted as such. Other factors will need to be taken into account before making an investment decision. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed. You may not get back the amount originally invested. Past performance is not a guide to future performance&nbsp; The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. For more information please&nbsp; contact us:t. 01908 226400 MK&nbsp;t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh&nbsp;t. 0845 5046444 London&nbsp;email. info@sc-ifa.co.uk]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Automatic Pension Enrolment]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Latest delay scarcely made the news
Reforms designed to get more people saving for retirement have been pushed back so many times that the latest delay scarcely made the news. It will now be October 2018 before minimum employer contributions to workplace pensions are fully phased in. Previously, this was supposed to happen by October 2017 &ndash; and before that by 2016, and before that by 2015. Contributions less affordable
The government says it is taking things more slowly because economic conditions have made contributions less affordable. Nonetheless, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) insists it will adhere to the latest timetable regardless of whether the economy improves.Employer obligations 
Under the new laws, employees will be automatically enrolled into a pension scheme with employer contributions if they are aged between 22 and the state pension age, earn at least &pound;8,105* a year and are not already in a scheme that meets minimum standards. Once enrolled, employees can opt out. But saving in a pension will be the new default setting for anyone who does not express a choice.Eventually, the automatic level of contributions must be at least 8 per cent of the individual&rsquo;s &lsquo;qualifying earnings&rsquo;. This includes 3 per cent that must come from the employer. Qualifying earnings also include payments like overtime and commission, not just salary. Definitions of pay
Employers can set higher contribution rates if they prefer. They will also have the option of basing contributions on more straightforward definitions of pay, which would usually increase the amount due. If you are not already in a workplace pension scheme, when you will be enrolled depends on how many people are in your employer&rsquo;s Pay-As-You-Earn tax arrangement. The automatic enrolment regime applies to the very largest employers from October 2012. Smaller employers
Progressively smaller employers will then be brought on board month by month until February 2014, when all employers with 250 or more staff will be within scope. Firms with 250 to 2,999 people on the payroll will not now get extra breathing space, as had been hinted in November.Employers with between 50 and 249 staff will have compliance dates ranging from April 2014 to April 2015.For firms with fewer than 50 employees, these deadlines fall between June 2015 and April 2017, unless whoever wins the intervening general election offers them a further reprieve.Any employer setting up business between 1 April 2012 and 30 September 2017 will have auto enrolment dates between 1 May 2017 and 1 February 2018. &nbsp;The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. For more information please&nbsp; contact us:t. 01908 226400 MK&nbsp;t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh&nbsp;t. 0845 5046444 London&nbsp;email. info@sc-ifa.co.uk]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Alternatives to help People improve Income Levels]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Valuable planning opportunities in a retirement market where the gilt yield has declined
In a low gilt yield environment, having flexibility within a pension arrangement can make a big difference. Options include either delaying taking pension benefits until the situation improves, or phasing money into drawdown, to benefit from any potential upturn.Immediate income needs
Alternatively, some people may choose to use other savings as a means of providing for their immediate income needs, delaying the use of pension savings until later. Using other savings first, such as Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), leaves the pension fund untouched and available for drawdown as and when the situation improves. The changes made to the income drawdown rules in April 2011 means that more people can delay accessing their pension benefits as they no longer have to buy an annuity by age 75, which may help to provide greater flexibility at a time when people need it.Phasing of money
Another consideration is the phasing of money into drawdown, to benefit from any potential upturn of both investment markets and gilt yields. By keeping some pension money back, and drip-feeding it in when stock markets and/or gilt yields improve, could mean creating a higher income level while inside a three-year review period. If the pension scheme is structured in the right way the higher income level should apply to the entire drawdown fund, not just the additional amount drip-fed in, making it an attractive solution in today&rsquo;s investment market.Care should be taken when considering this type of retirement income planning. If additional money is drip-fed into income drawdown when conditions are not favourable, for example, when gilt rates or investment markets have fallen further, it may have a negative impact on maximum income levels.Option of annual reviews
Keeping some pension money back is a particularly good tactic for those who have a pension contract that does not allow them the option of annual reviews. If they only offer the statutory three-year review period, then people could have to wait a long time before they can benefit from any improvement in market conditions.Planning opportunities
These kinds of planning opportunities may be particularly valuable in a retirement market where the gilt yield has declined, impacting the maximum income available from both income withdrawal arrangements and pension annuities.The cap on the maximum amount of income someone can withdraw from their pension can be a cause of real frustration for many people. However, there are alternatives to help people improve their income levels. A pension is a long-term investment. The fund value may fluctuate and can go down as well as up. You may not get back your original investment. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Tax benefits may vary as a result of statutory change and their value will depend on individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.&nbsp; The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. For more information please&nbsp; contact us:t. 01908 226400 MK&nbsp;t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh&nbsp;t. 0845 5046444 London&nbsp;email. info@sc-ifa.co.uk]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA['Will' your loved ones get your Inheritance?]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Make sure you avoid unnecessary legal complications and emotional hardship
Despite being a fundamental piece of family financial planning, six out of ten (61 per cent) of British adults don&rsquo;t currently have a will* drawn up, according to research by Standard Life.The research reveals that this becomes even more worrying when looking at the figures of those with children in the household and also by age.
People with no children (41 per cent) in the household are more likely to currently have a will in place than those with children at home (27 per cent).Currently without a will
Looking at the age breakdown, more than two-thirds (77 per cent) of 35 to 44-year-olds don&rsquo;t have a will in place, more than half (56 per cent) of 45 to 54-year-olds, two-fifths (42 per cent) of 55 to 64-year-olds and almost a quarter (24 per cent) of those 65 and over are currently without a will.Creating a will can be seen as a difficult and uncomfortable thing to do. The modern family can be complicated, we&rsquo;re all rushed off our feet and we don&rsquo;t really like to think about death. But the reality is if you were to die without a will the emotional strain on your family, friends and loved ones could far outweigh the time and money spent in sorting out your will in advance.Unnecessary legal complications
The fact that the number of people without a will who live as married is so high (78 per cent) is alarming. Couples who aren&rsquo;t married or in a registered Civil Partnership do not have the same legal protection as married couples if they die without a will in place. If one of them were to die, the money could be passed on to their parents or a family member before their partner. This can, of course, lead to unnecessary legal complications and financial hardship that could easily be avoided. Therefore a large proportion of this group really needs to review their circumstances and prioritise the value of having a will to protect their partner and any children they might also have in the relationship.NO SUBSTANTIAL ASSETS
The research reveals that three out of ten (31 per cent) of those currently without a will claim the main reason is that they just haven&rsquo;t got round to doing it yet. This figure is consistent for those aged 65 and over, with 30 per cent stating they haven&rsquo;t got round to creating a will. The next most frequently stated reasons are that people don&rsquo;t think they have any substantial assets or that they are too young (both 17 per cent), followed by one in ten (10 per cent) who simply haven&rsquo;t thought about it. The percentage of those who felt it was too expensive to have a will prepared was very low at only 7 per cent.People&rsquo;s priorities
As the research proves, the vast majority of people currently without a will aren&rsquo;t concerned about the cost of creating a will. However, the fact that they&rsquo;re using lack of time as an excuse shows a real sense of people&rsquo;s priorities. Though the decisions that need to be made might take some time to think through, finalising a will is not an arduous process and can be done quickly. And also, while some might not believe they have any substantial assets to pass on, it&rsquo;s important to remember that having a will in place is about peace of mind and confidence in having your affairs in order. The Financial Services Authority does not regulate taxation, trust advice or will writing.*By will, the research means a legally executed document that explains how and to whom a person would like his or her property distributed after death.All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,051 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 8-10 February 2012. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).&nbsp; The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. For more information please contact:t. 01908 226400 MK&nbsp;t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh&nbsp;t. 0845 5046444 London&nbsp;email. info@sc-ifa.co.uk]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Health Worries rise for Retired People]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Rising life expectancy is turning the spotlight on the issue of healthy life expectancy
Four out of five new parents are risking their children&rsquo;s financial futures by skimping on life cover, according to new research from Aviva.Nearly six out of 10 retired people have become more concerned about their or their partner&rsquo;s health since retiring, research* from MetLife shows.The nationwide study it commissioned found 57 per cent of those questioned have started to worry about health issues in retirement &ndash; with that figure rising to nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) amongst those aged 75 and over.Rising life expectancy is turning the spotlight on the issue of healthy life expectancy and MetLife is urging people to consider the growing number of new retirement income solutions such as fixed-term annuities which provide increased flexibility during retirement.Government statistics** show the average 65-year-old man is expected to live to 83 and the average 65-year-old woman is expected to live to 85.6 years &ndash; however men can expect on average to spend more than eight years in poor general health while women could face 11 years in poor health.People are clearly concerned about health in retirement and the potential impact on their finances. But it&rsquo;s not a subject that many of us want to think about. Retirement planning needs to adapt to enable savers to be able to cope financially with ill-health.* Research conducted by Vision Critical using an online methodology among 977 retired people between October 20th and 27th 2011&nbsp; The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. For more information please&nbsp; contact us:t. 01908 226400 MK&nbsp;t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh&nbsp;t. 0845 5046444 London&nbsp;email. info@sc-ifa.co.uk]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Mind the Gap]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Britons want &pound;7,000 extra income to be comfortable
Britons face an income gap of &pound;411 per month between their current net income and what they feel would allow them to live comfortably, according to a new report from Aviva. The Times of our Lives report1 found that this additional desired income would be equivalent to an extra &pound;7,236 per year (gross).Highest earners want the most
Times of our Lives also found that those with the highest current household income think that they need the most additional income.2 The 25-34 age group have a monthly net income of &pound;2,287, but feel they need an extra &pound;627 per month net, equivalent to an annual gross increase in income of &pound;12,003. This is followed by the 35-44s who want an average of &pound;596 extra per month, or &pound;10,762 per year.Squeezed middle age
This &ldquo;squeezed middle age&rdquo; group of 35-44s have a high level of debt and are the most likely to have a young family, increasing the financial pressures they face. In addition, when asked about their worries, this group were more concerned than most others about making ends meet and being able to pay for unexpected costs, with a third (34 per cent and 33 per cent) listing these as key troubles, potentially explaining the income gap. In contrast, the over 65s feel they need the least additional income - just &pound;23 per month - reflecting the findings of the report which indicate that wealth and contentedness increase as we get older.Older, wiser, wealthier
Indeed, net wealth increases with age and is highest among the over 65s, at which point the average homeowner&rsquo;s real &lsquo;wealth&rsquo; is &pound;308,317, and the average non-homeowner&rsquo;s &lsquo;wealth&rsquo; is &pound;75,834.3 Property value is the largest element of accumulated total wealth, and the gap between homeowners and non-homeowners illustrates the importance of getting on the housing ladder - the research highlighted that people feel this should be achieved, ideally by the age of 25. Other important constituent parts of wealth include earnings, savings, cars, home contents and personal possessions, minus mortgage and other debts.Simon Warsop, Business Development Director at Aviva, said: &ldquo;It is clear that the pressure on the household purse is as great as ever, and even those that have the highest income feel they need the greatest increase to feel comfortable - to the tune of around &pound;600 a month.&ldquo;This income gap is understandable, as people in the middle age groups see average household income drop and often face the additional costs of raising children, while debt remains high. It&rsquo;s no surprise then that the 35-44 age group feel the most financially squeezed, with making ends meet, dealing with unexpected costs like car repairs or boiler breakdowns, and job security among their top worries. &ldquo;But while the worries might peak in the middle ages, net household wealth grows steadily through life, rising to &pound;308,317 for an average homeowner aged 65 plus. Unsurprisingly homes are the biggest source of wealth and the importance placed on possessions and protecting them also comes to the fore, with home insurance the least likely item they would give up after their car.&rdquo;Protecting our wealth and making cutbacks
The value of home contents and possessions also rises as people get older, but peaks in the 55-64 age group at an average &pound;37,893, before falling away after retirement. It is therefore not surprising that almost one in five people over 35 said that home insurance was one of the last things they would give up if they were forced to make cutbacks, along with their car.Spending on luxuries such as socialising (48 per cent), satellite television subscriptions (21 per cent) and holidays (31 per cent) would be the first payments people would give up if they had to make cutbacks.
Simon Warsop added: &ldquo;It&rsquo;s important that people understand that all their assets, whether it&rsquo;s their home, car, belongings or finances are properly protected throughout their lives so that if the unexpected happens, they&rsquo;re covered.&rdquo;1. Based on 2,024 UK adults interviewed by ICM between 10th and 13th February 2012. 2. The Times of our Lives report asked the respondents what their household income is currently (from all sources including salary, benefits etc) and how much extra income they feel they need to be financially secure and calculated what the equivalent annual gross increase in income would be. 3. The Times of our Lives Report has calculated net wealth at different ages of life by working out the value of people&rsquo;s total assets (net income, savings and investments, contents sum insured, car value, property value) minus their total liabilities (unsecured debt and mortgage outstanding).&nbsp; The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. For more information please&nbsp; contact us:t. 01908 226400 MK&nbsp;t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh&nbsp;t. 0845 5046444 London&nbsp;email. info@sc-ifa.co.uk]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Unexpected Increase to Tax-free Cash Allowance]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Good news for some occupational pension scheme members
In amongst the technical papers issued by HM Revenue &amp; Customs (HMRC) on the back of the Budget 2012 changes, Skandia has discovered a hidden gem. An alteration in the formula for calculating tax-free cash for pre 6 April 2006 (A-Day) members of occupational pension schemes could lead to people receiving more tax-free cash when they retire.Occupational pension scheme legislation 
Prior to A-Day, occupational pension scheme legislation determined the level of tax free cash available to members of such schemes. Since A-Day, the level of tax-free cash has been set at a maximum of 25 per cent.Pre A-Day members of occupational pension schemes have been allowed, under HMRC rules, to protect the tax-free cash rights they held at A-Day that were greater than 25 per cent. In such cases the tax-free cash entitlement can further increase over time, based on two calculations introduced by HMRC:1. The A-Day protected tax free cash entitlement is automatically increased by the increase in the Lifetime Allowance up to 6 April 2012, an increase of 20 per cent. All members with protected tax-free cash receive this uplift regardless of how well their occupational scheme investment has done since A-Day.2. The tax-free cash entitlement is further increased by 25 per cent of any positive growth in the value of the pension fund since A-day.Discounted investment growth 
Prior to 6 April 2012, the level of investment growth was discounted by 20 per cent of the pre A-day fund value to take account of the increase in Lifetime Allowance from &pound;1.5m to &pound;1.8m up to 6 April 2012. From 6 April 2012, this discount no longer applies, resulting in a higher tax-free cash allowance for many people, provided they have seen positive investment performance since April 2006.Good news for many people
This is really good news for many people who have a protected tax-free cash entitlement in an occupational pension scheme they joined prior to 6 April 2006. The new calculation can greatly enhance the amount of tax-free cash these people can take at retirement.
Many people may not know whether they have a protected cash entitlement from their service up to A-Day in these schemes, so it is essential to check with those schemes to establish what their tax-free cash entitlement was at A-Day.Please note: this improvement does not apply for those who have applied for fixed protection. Their revaluation of A-Day cash is still on the pre 6 April 2012 basis which subtracts the A-Day fund value increased by 20 per cent from the current fund value to determine whether there is any additional tax free cash entitlement.&nbsp; The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. For more information please&nbsp; contact us:t. 01908 226400 MK&nbsp;t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh&nbsp;t. 0845 5046444 London&nbsp;email. info@sc-ifa.co.uk]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Venture Capital Trusts Raise �330 million]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Fundraising levels sixth highest since launch
Figures published by the Association of Investment Companies (AIC) show that &pound;330 million (value of new shares issued), was raised by the Venture Capital Trust (VCT) sector during the 2011/2012 tax year compared to &pound;365 million in the 2010/11 tax year and the sixth highest amount since VCTs were first launched in 1995.A range of small higher-risk trading companiesVCTs are designed to encourage individuals to invest indirectly in a range of small higher-risk trading companies whose shares and securities are not listed on a recognised stock exchange, although they can be AIM (Alternative Investment Market) listed. So, if you invest in a VCT, you spread the investment risk over a number of companies. There is a risk that these companies may not perform as hoped and in some circumstances they may fail completely. Recent Budget changes have reduced the maximum size of company that VCTs can invest in, meaning that VCT shares issued now may carry a higher risk than those issued in the past.Meeting certain conditions
VCTs must be approved by HM Revenue &amp; Customs (HMRC), and to gain approval they, must meet and continue to meet certain conditions. This approval enables investors to qualify for certain tax reliefs, but does not guarantee the safety or success of any investments you make in a VCT. If you invest in them you may be entitled to various Income Tax and capital gains tax reliefs, and VCTs are exempt from corporation tax on any gains arising on the disposal of their investments.
Ian Sayers, Director General, Association of Investment Companies said:&ldquo;This is the third year in a row that the VCT sector has surpassed the &pound;300 million mark, and the sixth highest amount raised since VCTs were first formed in 1995, reflecting strong demand from investors.&ldquo;Capital raised by the VCT sector is filling an important funding gap for UK smaller companies, and supporting UK enterprise.&rdquo;&lsquo;Qualifying&rsquo; after three years
VCTs must meet certain conditions to be approved by HMRC including that at least 70 per cent (by value) of the total assets must be &lsquo;qualifying&rsquo; after three years. If a VCT ceases to have approval as a VCT all tax advantages will be lost.For the current tax year 2012/13 Income Tax relief at 30 per cent is available on investment in VCTs of up to &pound;200,000 to be set against any Income Tax liability that is due, whether at the lower, basic or higher rate, but relief will be limited to the amount that reduces the investor&rsquo;s Income Tax liability to nil, and the tax credit on dividends received cannot be reclaimed.New ordinary shares
To qualify for Income Tax relief, the shares must be new ordinary shares and must meet certain other conditions to be eligible. You can get this relief for the tax year in which these eligible shares were issued to you, subject to certain conditions including that you hold them for at least five years.Dividends from ordinary shares in VCTs are exempt from Income Tax for both newly issued and second-hand shares (provided the total of both added together is less than the annual investment allowance in the tax year purchased).Disposals of ordinary shares in VCTs (both newly issued and second-hand) are exempt from CGT (Capital Gains Tax) on gains.VCTs are higher risk investments and are generally considered to be long-term investments. They are complex products and are not suitable for all investors. If you have any doubts as to the suitability of a particular VCT, or VCTs in general, or you require advice of any kind, you should seek professional advice. Do not invest in a VCT unless you have carefully thought about whether you can afford it and whether it is right for you.&nbsp; The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. For more information please contact us: t. 01908 226400 MK&nbsp;t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh&nbsp;t. 0845 5046444 London&nbsp;email. info@sc-ifa.co.uk]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Shelter up to �11,280 from the tax man this year]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[ISA limits will now increase each year in line with the increase in CPI
The need for long-term care and how it should be paid for is arguably one of the greatest causes for concern among our growing elderly population. Almost half a million people are now in residential care homes, nursing homes and long stay hospitals.Each year you can deposit your savings into a tax-efficient Cash and/or Stocks and Shares Individual savings Account (ISA).The overall limit for the tax year ending 5 April 2012 was &pound;10,680 and this has gone up to &pound;11,280 (or &pound;940 per month) for the 2012/13 tax year starting on 6 April 2012. Of the &pound;11,280 overall limit, up to &pound;5,640 can be saved in a Cash ISA.Following the publication of price inflation figures for September 2011, the ISA limits are now increased each year in line with the increase in CPI. For ease of planning, the limits are then rounded up to be easily divisible by 12. This makes it easier to calculate the monthly allowance.The higher ISA allowance represents good news for savers and investors who want to protect their returns from tax and aim to achieve a net return to keep pace with high levels of price inflation.The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed. You may not get back the amount originally invested. Past Performance is not a guide to future performance. &nbsp;The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. For more information please&nbsp; contact us:t. 01908 226400 MK&nbsp;t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh&nbsp;t. 0845 5046444 London&nbsp;email. info@sc-ifa.co.uk]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-05-16T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[The Critical Factor]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Providing financial security at an emotional and difficult timeIt&rsquo;s easy to think &ldquo;it won&rsquo;t happen to me,&rdquo; but if the worst should happen, your critical illness insurance could help provide financial security at an emotional and difficult time. Whether it helps pay off your mortgage, funds a relaxing holiday to recover from treatment, or just help you cope with the bills and expenses, the lump sum pay-out from critical illness insurance cover could relieve worries and let you concentrate on getting better.Most home buyers purchase life assurance when they arrange a mortgage, but only a minority obtains critical illness insurance. Critical illness insurance pays a tax-free lump sum on the diagnosis of any one of a list of specified serious illnesses - including cancer and heart attack.Your questions answeredQ: What is critical illness insurance?A: Critical illness insurance pays out a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed as having one of the specific life-threatening conditions defined in the policy. Policies often offer combined life and critical illness insurance. These pay out if you are diagnosed with a critical illness, or you die, whichever happens first.Q: What conditions are covered?A: All policies should cover seven core conditions. These are cancer, coronary artery bypass, heart attack, kidney failure, major organ transplant, multiple sclerosis and stroke. They will also pay out if a policyholder becomes permanently disabled as a result of injury or illness.But not all conditions are necessarily covered. In 2011 the Association of British Insurers introduced a set of best practice guidelines.The rules include clarification on when policies will pay out if a claimant suffers &lsquo;total permanent disability.&rsquo; All policies automatically include reduced cover for children but the new rules spell out when it will not apply - for example, if the condition was present at birth.Q: When should I have a critical illness insurance policy?A: Your need to be covered by insurance against the diagnosis of a critical illness will largely depend on your life stage and your particular circumstances. These might include having a family to support, being a homeowner and paying a mortgage, those who have paid off their mortgage, or those who have separated from their partner and have dependant children.
If you are about to start a family (or have one already), a critical illness insurance policy is an essential way to plan for the entire family&rsquo;s protection from the outset.Q: I have already paid off my mortgage, so why do I need critical insurance?A: If you have paid off your mortgage, and your mortgage protection policy included critical illness insurance, but you still have dependants - you should have a separate critical illness insurance policy. It will enable you to continue to protect your family should the unthinkable happen to you.Q: Why do I need critical illness insurance cover as I&rsquo;m separated from my partner?A: If you are unfortunate enough to have to go through divorce proceedings but are awarded custody of the children, you could ask your former spouse to take out a critical illness insurance policy. If your former partner is required to pay maintenance costs but is unable to work, the money spent on the children may even stop.If you set up a critical illness insurance policy, the money could be paid into a trust fund from which the children will benefit directly. The policy cannot be in the name of the children, however.The article is for your general information and use only and is not intended to address your particular requirements. No individual should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation.&nbsp; The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. For more information please contact us:t. 01908 226400 MK&nbsp;t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh&nbsp;t. 0845 5046444 London&nbsp;email. info@sc-ifa.co.uk]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-05-16T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Maximise the Lifetime Income from your Pension]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Why shopping around for an annuity could increase your income
Thousands of people could end up with bigger pensions as new rules will force insurers to inform customers about better annuity options. The Association of British Insurers&rsquo; (ABI) new code of conduct forces insurers to give more information about how consumers can &lsquo;shop around&rsquo; for a better deal, while ensuring that those with health problems receive a higher income as a result.Buying the wrong type of annuity
Currently, according to the ABI, more than half of all investors who buy an annuity - which pays a fixed income for life - simply buy the default annuity deal from their current pension provider. As a result many end up buying the wrong type of annuity or effectively locking into an uncompetitive pension deal for the rest of their lives. Shopping around for the best annuity deal could increase the size of a pension by over a third. A recent report from the National Association of Pension Funds claimed that this was costing pensioners more than &pound;1bn in lost retirement income.Benefits of shopping around
The new rules stop insurers from including an application form in the information pack sent to customers approaching retirement, making it less likely that people will simply buy the first annuity they see. These &lsquo;retirement packs&rsquo; have been redesigned to place greater emphasis on the benefits of shopping around. Crucially, where insurers are selling an annuity to one of their existing customers, they will be required to ask about their circumstances and medical conditions before providing a quote. A pension is a long-term investment. The fund value may fluctuate and can go down as well as up. You may not get back your original investment. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Tax benefits may vary as a result of statutory change and their value will depend on individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.&nbsp; The articles featured in this digital magazine are for your general information and use only and are not intended to address your particular requirements. They should not be relied upon in their entirety. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. For more information please contract us:t. 01908 226400 MK&nbsp;t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh&nbsp;t. 0845 5046444 London&nbsp;email. info@sc-ifa.co.uk]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-05-16T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Cirilium Funds Report]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[The following is a market view summary by Henderson Global Investors with particular emphais on their Cirilium Funds, managed by Paul Craig. Many of our clients and web site visitors will be very interested in this excellent suite of funds.
Please click on the hyperlink to view the full April 2012 Report.Cirilium Monthly - April 2012 MarketEconomic data revealed the UK entered its first double-dip recession since the 1970s, albeit the recovery since the end of the first recession in mid-2009 has been the weakest since the Great Depression of the 1930, according to Deutsche Bank. That said, the UK was far from the weakest equity market, that pyrrhic victory went to Europe, which continued to be plagued by political and economic misery, this month unemployment in Spain hit a new record with almost one in four adults now out of work. Japan also succumbed to weakness although remains one of the best performing equity markets year to date. Despite this disappointing backdrop, buoyant consumer spending in the US and positive results from several leading companies including Amazon and Apple, gave equity markets a lift towards the end of the month. Government bonds (with a few obvious exceptions) benefited from a rise in investor anxiety thereby reversing year to date losses. Corporate bonds were little changed with gains from falling government bond yields offset by increasing risk aversion, although much like equity markets there were winners and losers. FundAgainst this backdrop, performance was dominated by returns from the Fund&rsquo;s equity holdings, which were ultimately negative. The Conservative Fund, however, was little changed as the lower weighting in equities was offset by positive performance from alternatives and bonds. The Income Fund also fared a little better as the requirement for income precluded holdings in some of the month&rsquo;s weaker performing markets. Performance for the other three Cirilium Funds was a little disappointing. Holdings in European and Japanese equities were obvious headwinds but we also saw a small widening in discounts to net asset value for some underlying holdings. In addition, the holding in 3i Group performed poorly over the month spoiling what would have been a good month for our private equity assets. Activity was modest during the month although we took the opportunity of a share placing to increase our holding for the Income and Balanced Fund, and initiate new holdings for the other Funds in Raven Russia preference shares. The new preference shares yield 9% and were raised to finance the acquisition of a fully let warehouse. The management team has a creditable track record and we have followed them for a number of years. OutlookThere is much too worry about, low economic growth, inflationary pressures, an era of austerity and political elections to name but a few. On the positive side though, companies are in fine fettle while valuations are not expensive. While we acknowledge that profit margins are at or close to a cyclical high, high and rising unemployment is an unlikely catalyst for increasing wage pressure. In addition, companies are far from embarking on a series of senseless corporate takeovers. Against this backdrop, we continue to favour risk assets although remain vigilant to the actions of shorter-term investors. Consequently, we remain diversified and biased towards our favoured managers, i.e. best of breed.
For more information of these or any other funds that may be suitable for your investment objectives, please do contact us:
t. 01908 226400 MK t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh t. 0845 5046444 London email. info@sc-ifa.co.uk
Past Performance is no guarantee of how funds will perform in the future. Funds can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you paid in.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-05-09T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Business Networking]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Scottsdale Consulting is actively involved in the major Business Networks in Milton Keynes and London.
We feel that it is important to interact with the Local Business community and add our fields of expertise to the mix.
Strong and lasting business relationships are often formed at these events and it is this environment that business opportunities abound.
There are different flavours and formats, each suiting different types and temperaments.
We are pleased to be represented in the following groups:
&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;BNI &bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;4 Networking&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Business Growth ClubWe are of course an active member of the MK and North Bucks Chamber of CommerceWe are also pleased to announce that one of our Mortgage Specialist, Graeme Brown has taken the initiative of launching a new Lunchtime group:Milton Keynes Networking.First meeting 23 May 2012.Please visit the following site to register you interest.
http://www.miltonkeynesnetworking.co.uk
&nbsp;]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-05-08T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Mortgage Rate Update]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[At Scottsdale Consulting we are constantly monitoring the rapid changes in the mortgage market. Here are some of the changes that will potentially affect a huge number of people&bull; 850,000 Halifax customers will see their standard variable rate (SVR) rise from 3.50% to 3.99%.&bull; 200,000 Royal Bank of Scotland offset mortgage holders will see their standard rate rise from 3.75% to 4%.&bull; 100,000 Bank of Ireland customers will see their standard variable rate increase from 2.99% to 3.99%.&bull; 30,000 Yorkshire and Clydesdale Bank customers will see their standard variable rate increase from 4.59% to 4.95%.&bull; The Co-operative Bank will be raising its standard variable mortgage rate from 4.24% to 4.74%.Contact one of our mortgage specialists today to check out your options.&nbsp;t. 01908 226400 MK&nbsp;t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh&nbsp;t. 0845 5046444 London&nbsp;email. info@sc-ifa.co.uk&nbsp;Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-05-08T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=127]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Mortgage  Rate changes]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[This week, Halifax's standard variable rate (SVR) increases from 3.5% to 3.99%, hitting 850,000 customers. Co-op SVR's up 0.5% points to 4.74% and Clydesdale/Yorkshire from 4.59% to 4.95%. RBS's One account jumps 0.25% points to 4%.
If you're hit by a hike but have a good credit score and decent equity, borrowing less than 85% of a home's value, you may save by switching. For every 1%-point cut per &pound;100,000 of mortgage, you pay c.&pound;700/year less, or more if you have an interest only mortgage.
Contact one of our mortgage specialists today to check out your options.
t. 01908 226400 MK
t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh
t. 0845 5046444 London
email. info@sc-ifa.co.uk
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage
&nbsp;]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-05-04T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=125]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Life Insurance for Women]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Insurance for Women
59% of women said they didn&rsquo;t have any life insurance
49% of women said they couldn&rsquo;t afford to protect themselves
40% of women said they were the main earner in their family
92%&nbsp; of single parents are women
The Protection industry is on a countdown to 21 December 2012 when the gender directive becomes legislation.
It is unlikely that male rates will go down, so it is would be prudent for women who are considering protecting themselves, to take action now.
As Independent Financial Advisers, Scottsdale reviews the whole market in order to provide you with the best suited product to protect you and your family.
Contact us today for a no obligation personal illustration.
t. 01908 226400 MK
t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh
t. 0845 5046444 London
email. info@sc-ifa.co.uk
Statistics taken from &lsquo;Opinion research for Bright Grey Jane 2011 and National Statistics Online &ndash; Jan 2012)]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-05-02T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=124]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Interest Only Mortgages - Alive or dead?]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Is the interest-only mortgage dead?
The answer to this is a resounding NO! Unfortunately while Lenders still wish to lend on this basis they have been backed in to a corner and forced to change criteria which has led to reduced availability.
This mainly is in response to Santander&rsquo;s lending stance. during 2011/12, Santander held a 25% market share for mortgage business. Now they want to halve this, so they have made it so hard to get an interest-only mortgage that it&rsquo;s near impossible. Other lenders have been forced to follow suit simply to maintain their service standards and so that they are not left with their heads above the proverbial parapet.
Mortgage borrowers in the UK are well aware of the tough lending conditions that have dominated the market in the last few years.
Banks and building societies have limited their level of lending and tightened their criteria so that getting a mortgage has become significantly harder than in the boom years before the credit crunch.
In fact, far from there being light at the end of the tunnel, the goalposts are still moving as lenders continue to make changes to their lending criteria.
The most notable example is the renewed focus on interest-only lending, an area that has already been subject to change. These are mortgages where you only pay the interest until the term ends, when the debt itself must be repaid.
Huge deposits required
The market had already limited the typical maximum loan to value (LTV, the mortgage amount as a percentage of the property price) for interest-only to 75% a couple of years ago.
That limitation had become pretty standard practice, but took another turn when one of the largest UK lenders, Santander, announced earlier this year it would impose a maximum 50% LTV on all new interest-only lending. That means you'd need a 50% deposit.
Nationwide, Coventry and Leeds building societies followed suit. A cliff edge approach has been employed, so if the mortgage is greater than half the property value, the whole mortgage must be taken on a repayment basis.
ING Direct also imposed a 50% limit last week but has at least left some room for manoeuvre by allowing as much as another 30% to be topped up on a repayment basis.
Some, such as NatWest, have left the LTV restriction at 75% but decided to only offer interest-only to a limited customer profile. Manchester BS has even taken the step of removing interest-only as an option for new borrowers.
Tougher repayment checks
Many lenders have left their maximum at 75% loan to value, but toughened the requirements for acceptable repayment vehicles, as borrowers must prove they are saving to pay the debt off.
For example, Halifax now requires an equity Isa fund to be at least &pound;50,000 and even then will only use 80% of the current value to decide the allowable level of interest-only borrowing. If a pension is to be used, then the pot must currently be at least &pound;1 million.
These changes add up to a severe tightening around interest-only lending and will force many borrowers to rethink their repayment strategy. Depending on the repayment vehicle and/or the LTV, there may be limited options available when they come to remortgage.
These changes are not a few isolated cases, and there are likely to be further changes as this becomes another wholesale shift in the market.
That trend is only likely to gather pace as lenders become increasingly concerned they will be the last man standing, and as a result will attract too much interest-only business that they cannot handle.
The bottom line is that repayment mortgages will represent an even larger majority of new mortgage lending.
Existing interest-only borrowers should consider the impact of the criteria changes to see how they will fare in future and hopefully act to limit the risk of becoming a mortgage prisoner.
So is interest-only dead? If not yet extinct, interest-only mortgages are certainly on the critical list and fast becoming a niche product.
For Independent Mortgage advice please contact one of our mortgage specialists who will be delighted to help.
Tel . 01908 226400
info@sc-ifa.co.uk
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-04-30T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=123]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Independent Financial Advice and Information]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Scottsdale has today launched its new 'Smart Guide' portfolio. A great resource for clients and website visitors alike. Giving in depth coverage of the latest financial news as well as detailed information on Pensions, investments, estate planning and protection issues, the Scottsdale team invites you to visit the Smart Guide Micro site.
http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/smart-guide.php
&nbsp;]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-04-27T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=122]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Care fees refunds � take action now and beat the new deadlines]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[The following is a news release from &nbsp;Angela Sherman of&nbsp; &lsquo;Care to be Different&rsquo;
&lsquo;The Department of Health has introduced new deadlines for people wanting to make a retrospective claim for a refund of care home fees.
The new deadlines apply to care fees paid in England, and they could have significant financial implications for many elderly people and their families.
Anyone who goes in to full-time care for health reasons should be assessed NHS funding. This is called NHS Continuing Healthcare and it covers 100% of the costs of being in a care home (or having full-time care at home). It&rsquo;s paid for by the NHS. However, many people are wrongly denied this funding, leaving their families the task of reclaiming it retrospectively.
Retrospective claims can also be made on behalf of someone who has already died. The refund is paid to their estate. Until now, families could reclaim care fees right back to 2004. However, the government is now restricting this.
What does it mean for you?
If you or your elderly relatives have paid care home fees in the past (including fees paid by someone who has already passed away), and yet that care was primarily for health reasons, you may be able to claim back those care fees.
BUT... All claims relating to periods of care up to and including 31st March 2011 must now be made before 30th September 2012.
After that, no claims will be accepted. It remains to be seen whether any legal challenges will be launched in respect of these deadlines, but for the moment they are in place&rsquo;
There&rsquo;s more information on Angela&rsquo;s blog: http://www.caretobedifferent.co.uk/2012/03/new-deadlines-for-retrospective-claims-for-nhs-continuing-healthcare/.
Getting a claim in quickly can potentially result in a refund of tens of thousands of pounds. For further information email Angela Sherman at Care To Be Different:
enquiries@caretobedifferent.co.uk.
At&nbsp; Scottsdale we have specialists who can advise on Funding for Care fees in a tax efficient way without squandering your hard earned assets, so please do contact us for an informal &nbsp;and confidential &nbsp;discussion.
Tel &nbsp;- 01908 226400
e.&nbsp; info@sc-ifa.co.uk
&nbsp;
&nbsp;]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-04-20T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=120]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Pensions Auto Enrolment - Update]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[
Employers can now choose early automatic enrolment&nbsp; &nbsp;An employer&rsquo;s automatic enrolment staging date is determined by the size of the employer&rsquo;s largest PAYE scheme on 1st April this year. For some employers this staging date may not suit their business needs for a variety of reasons. However, now it is possible for employers to choose an earlier staging date that suits them better.The Pension Regulator has published details of the alternative staging dates available to employers and provided information on what they need to do to change their staging date and notify the regulator. Employers with staging dates this October and November can bring forward their staging date to as early as July 2012 if they wish. Other employers with later staging dates can choose a staging date from October 2012.
To view the dates available and supporting information please visit the Pension Regulators website.
Or contact Scottsdale today:
t. 01908 226400
info@sc-ifa.co.uk
&nbsp;]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-04-20T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=121]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[FTSE 100 Falls on Spanish Fears]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[The FTSE 100 closed down 44.18 at 5,666.28 today (Monday) as the yield on Spanish 10-year bonds rose above 6%.&nbsp; This level is widely considered to be unsustainable and points to the need for an EU rescue package.The share price of many banks and insurers suffered as a result and hedge fund manager Man Group lost 4.5% in the day.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-04-16T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=118]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Budget Report 2012]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[The economists have trawled over the finer print of this year's Budget and we are now able to make available this comprehensive analysis of the Budget 2012.
For those who just want headlines, please download the 2012 Budget Summary.
There will be implications for many and we will be pleased to advise you whether you are a personal or corporate client.
Please do contact us to arrange a personal meeting.
info@sc-ifa.co.uk
t. 01908 226400 MK
t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh
t. 0845 5046444 London
&nbsp;]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-03-28T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=116]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Taxation and Allowances]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[For the convenience of our clients and visitors, we are pleased make available the 2012/13 taxation and allowances that will apply from 6 April 2012.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-03-28T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=117]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Financial News Update]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[For the latest financial news, please download the latest edition of Scottsdale Money Matters Magazine, with special features this month on End of Year Tax Planning and The ISA Loop Hole.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-03-15T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=114]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Tax Year End Allowances]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Download our useful Tax Allowance table and please read the Beat the Tax Clock article for advice on making the most of your tax allowances before the end of the tax year.
For more information, please contact us to request a personal review.
info@sc-ifa.co.uk
t. 01908 226400 MK
t. 0845 5046430 Edinburgh
t. 0845 5046444 London]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-03-15T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=115]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Client Satisfaction - Testamonial]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[It is of primary importance to Scottsdale Consulting that our clients and professional connections are pleased with our services and comfortable in referring us to their own clients and acquaintances.
We have received permission from one of our clients and fellow professionals to use her testimonial as an example of the type of feedback that gives us great pleasure in receiving.
V Drought &amp; Co are Chartered Certified Accountants and Registered Auditors, based in Milton Keynes and we are delighted to feature this recommendation.
Please contact us for a personal Financial Review.
info@sc-ifa.co.uk
&nbsp;
&nbsp;]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-03-14T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=113]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[MK Lions / Scottsdale Update]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Scottsdale is delighted to support MK Lions Basket Ball Team. At last Friday's game Scottsdale directors and staff were delighted to attend the 'nailbiting' game against Guildford Heat, with the Lions narrowly missing a much deserved win.   Please contact the MK Lions office to see how Scottsdale can help you, help the MK Lions. 
info@sc-ifa.co.uk
http://www.mklions.com/news/display.asp?id=6039
&nbsp;]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[2012-03-08T00:00:00+00:00]]></pubDate>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/scottsdale-news.php?newsid=112]]></link>
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