The benefits of having a will in place are well-documented, although if you don’t have a will, or haven’t updated it in some time, you’re not alone. A recent survey from MoneyAge has found that 51% of adults in the UK currently don’t have a will in place.
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Do you find pension information confusing? You’re not alone; 50% of people in the UK describe the information they receive about their pension as “overwhelming”, according to a Standard Life study. Fortunately, there are places where you can seek guidance or advice. The survey found 83% of people think financial advisers offer useful support. If you’re not…
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Inheritance Tax (IHT) can affect what you leave behind for loved ones. It’s essential you understand if it’s something you need to think about, as there could be steps you can take to reduce a potential bill. Over the last few months, you’ve read about what estate planning is and how to calculate the value of…
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The spectacular work ‘Another Place’ by the British sculptor Antony Gormley[1], of one hundred naked men scattered along 1.5 miles of Crosby Beach in Liverpool, provides a useful twice-daily reminder about hidden risks in the financial world. As Warren Buffet once said about easy money and favourable markets hiding risks: ‘You only find out who is swimming…
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Just six months ago, Kwasi Kwarteng stood up in the House of Commons and delivered his controversial “Mini-Budget”. The announcements ultimately brought down the short-lived Truss administration, with current chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, announcing a series of policy measures in November 2022 aimed at calming the markets. Having taken “difficult decisions to deliver stability and sound money”, the chancellor has delivered…
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The investment management industry loves its legends and there is none bigger than the nonagenarian ‘Oracle of Omaha’ Warren Buffett, CEO of the US-listed firm Berkshire Hathaway. Over the years in that role, Buffett has built a portfolio of directly held companies alongside a portfolio of listed stocks. Today, he is worth over US$100 billion and is the world’s fifth…
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It seems barely any time has passed since the last school holiday, but the Easter break is just around the corner. If you have children to entertain over the holiday, making plans can ease the pressure. Here are five fun ways to spend time together this spring. 1. Search for a local Easter egg hunt …
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When you look at investment performance with the benefit of hindsight, you may think you could predict how markets will move. Yet, markets are unpredictable and expert forecasts prove how difficult timing the market is. Every investor has heard the advice “buy low, sell high”. So, it can be tempting to try and guess how investments…
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Rishi Sunak is reportedly drawing up plans to provide a “midlife MOT” to assess the financial health of workers and retirees. Taking stock of your finances in your 40s and 50s could lead to greater financial freedom in the future. Read on to discover five initial steps you can take to review your wealth. Sunak’s plans…
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Tax relief could boost your pension and mean you have more financial freedom in retirement. Yet it’s something that you may overlook when reviewing your pension, as analysis suggests that some workers aren’t claiming their full entitlement. In fact, according to a report in the Telegraph, higher- and additional-rate taxpayers could have missed…
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