LIFT-Blog

Venture or Adventure?

Ross Glanfield FPFS — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:09:08 +0000

Venture Capital Trusts offer investors excellent tax breaks and access to further diversification for their portfolios Continue reading →

Back to the Future: Pension Carry Forward

Joel Adams CFP FPFS — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:12:52 +0000

Prior to the current Tax Year an individual could technically contribute £255,000 per year into their pension fund. However, the ability to do so on a tax efficient basis was significantly restricted by the introduction of the restrictions for so called ”high earners” … Continue reading →

Equity Release – Friend or Foe?

John Brown — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:00:10 +0000

For those fortunate to have accrued sufficient assets to sustain them in later life, the thought of having to mortgage the family home is not one they usually relish. However, for many people, the need for additional income is very … Continue reading →

Pension Death Benefits – Are They Tax Free?

Hannah Creighton MCSI FPFS — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:00:47 +0000

Pension and life assurance policies that are written under a trust are usually free of Inheritance Tax when death benefits are paid. This is ideal, particularly when combined with the fact you can usually change your beneficiary, if required, with a nomination form. … Continue reading →

Pensions: Higher Rate Tax Relief to End?

Ian Morrison CFP FPFS — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:31:26 +0000

Delaying your pension contributions could cost you dear if you are a higher or additional rate tax-payer. Continue reading →

Annuity Rates Tumble to Record Low

Ian Morrison CFP FPFS — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:26:05 +0000

Improving pension income at retirement Continue reading →

Pensions – a one-way bet

Ross Glanfield FPFS — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:33:01 +0000

Investing into a pension is a guaranteed way to treble your money for a 50% tax payer Continue reading →

Market Recovery – Are we there yet?

Hannah Creighton MCSI FPFS — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 12:49:38 +0000

With the ever-increasing problems that are coming out of the Eurozone, first Greece and now Spain and Italy falling under the spotlight, it is fair to say that the positivity the markets were demonstrating earlier on in the year has … Continue reading →

Options at Retirement: A Bewildering Choice

Joel Adams CFP FPFS — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:29:03 +0000

Having taken the decision to save hard during your working life, the options available to you when the time comes to draw benefits from your pension plans can be bewildering. We have produced a Guide to the various Retirement Planning Options which is available to download. Continue reading →

Financial Planning – Where do you start?

Neil Sadler FPFS — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 13:43:11 +0000

A basic financial planning exercise has to start with a thorough review of current income and outgoings and then the likely changes as their lives develop. Most people rarely do this and as a result only ‘get by’ month to month, leaving such major questions as how much income they will need in retirement or how much capital they will require to pay for their children’s education unanswered. The result is likely to be a failure even to think about planning ahead, thereby leaving their success down to chance. Continue reading →