As the coronavirus pandemic continues to dominate world headlines, here’s what it might mean for your pension and retirement plans.

The pandemic has created uncertainty in economies around the globe. As a result, stock markets have experienced shocks and over the last few weeks have seen significant falls. Fears of a recession following the pandemic have sparked even more concern. It’s natural to be worried about what the impact on financial markets means for your future. Understanding what the change means, and where adjustments may need...

We’ve now entered a new tax year. Whilst some changes were made during the 2020 Budget, other allowances and exemptions have stayed the same. Planning can help you make the most out of your finances over the next 12 months. So, which allowance should you keep in mind?

1. Personal allowance and National Insurance

The personal allowance for the new tax year remains the same at £12,500. This is the amount you can earn before Income Tax is due. Existing tax rates and thresholds are also unchanged. However, the National Insurance threshold ha...

After delays and resignation, the Budget was finally delivered on March 11^th. The announcements made could have an impact on your personal finances and businesses, as well as affecting where public spending goes. The Budget 2020 document is over 100 pages long, so we’ve put together a summary of the key points from this year’s Budget.

Coronavirus response

At the time of making the Budget speech, the UK was being affected by the coronavirus pandemic, but the country wasn’t yet on lockdown. Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled a £30 billion pac...

While the coronavirus pandemic has affected the health of hundreds of thousands of people worldwide, it has also had a devastating effect on small and medium-sized businesses in the UK and beyond.

Following a £12 billion package of measures announced in the Budget, the Chancellor has since unveiled a substantial support package designed to help businesses survive during this uncertain period.

If you’re a small business owner, there is help available from the government and beyond. Here’s a summary of the support on offer.

Coronavirus Jo...

Whilst it can be tempting to save and manage money by taking a DIY approach to finances, it could end up costing you money. Research suggests that eight in ten people overestimate their own financial capability and could be making decisions that aren’t right for them as a result.

Failing to seek financial advice when it could prove valuable may not be an issue for you. But it could be a mistake that your children and grandchildren are making. Knowing when financial advice could be beneficial can be difficult to understand, especially if y...

2019 was a year marked by uncertainty and volatility in the investment markets. So, when it comes to reviewing your portfolio’s performance, it’s important to keep some things in mind.

There were numerous factors influencing markets last year, many of which would have been impossible to predict. In the UK, Brexit continued to be uncertain, with a new Prime Minister and a General Election taking place over the course of the year. Trade tensions between the US and China have a far-reaching impact, highlighting how events taking place across...

Thousands of investors have been sucked into putting their money into unsuitable mini-bond products following extensive advertising, particularly on social media. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has now clamped down on the marketing of such products following a scandal. But many are likely to lose their money.

What is a mini-bond?

A mini-bond is effectively an IOU where you lend money directly to businesses, receiving regular interest payments over the term of the bond. However, the money you make back is based entirely on the fir...

Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) have been around for 25 years! Over those years, they’ve become an important part of investment portfolios for many people. But are they the right option for you and how could they fit into your wider plans?

Back in November 1994, then Chancellor Kenneth Clarke unveiled VCTs as part of his budget and established them the following year. The reason for doing so was to generate investment opportunities in “dynamic, innovative growing businesses”. They were designed to give individual investors a way to access v...

Managing pension contributions and tax liability can be tricky. If you’re affected by the tapered allowance, it can be even more challenging. The Secretary of State for Health and Social care has announced there will be a review into the impact of the tapered allowance and its impact on NHS staff. But it’s not just NHS staff that should ensure they understand how it works.

What is the tapered annual allowance?

When you’re saving into a pension there are two allowances you need to keep in mind: the annual allowance and the lifetime allowa...