It’s not going to be long before we see the arrival of the New Year, and with it the start of the ISA (Individual Savings Account) season. The 2015/16 deadline on 5 April 2016 is when you need to have taken full advantage of this year’s ISA allowance.
One in four older workers could delay retirement after dipping into their pension pot, new research from Zurich shows.
No one likes to think that something bad will happen to them. If you couldn’t work due to a serious illness, how would you manage? Could you survive on savings or sick pay from work? If not, you may need some other way to keep paying the bills – and you might want to consider income protection insurance. Currently, 10.8 million UK households are at risk of their income falling by at least a third if the main earner stopped working due to ill health[1].
Many UK parents will now be reviewing how they will help their children pay for a university degree. With tuition fees alone costing an average £9,000 a year, university is a significant investment for both parents and students.
Control over your assets for the benefit of one or more people
Putting your savings, investments, life policies or assets into a trust can play an important part in estate planning. A trust is a legal entity that has control over assets for the benefit of one or more people, and there are different types of trust which can be set up according to what you intend to achieve.
Passing your estate to the people that matter to you in the most effective way
The term ‘estate planning’ can be defined as passing your estate to the people that matter to you in the most effective way. In order to protect the future wealth of your family and loved ones, it is essential to have provisions in place after you’re gone, and one of the simplest ways to prevent unnecessary tax payments such as Inheritance Tax is to organise your tax affairs by obtaining professional advice and having a valid Will in place to ensure that your legacy does not involve just leaving a large Inheritance Tax bill for your loved ones.
Permitting someone to act on your behalf
A Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you to give someone else the legal authority to act on your behalf. There are several different types of Power of Attorney. A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), previously called an ‘Enduring Power of Attorney’, allows your attorneys to make decisions for you when you no longer wish to, or when you lack the mental capacity to do so.
An essential part of your financial planning
Your Will lets you decide what happens to your money, property and possessions after your death. If you make a Will, you can also make sure you don’t pay more Inheritance Tax than you need to. It’s an essential part of your financial planning. Not only does it set out your wishes, but die without a Will, and your estate will generally be divided according to the rules of intestacy, which may not reflect your wishes. Without one, the State directs who inherits, so your loved ones, relatives, friends and favourite charities may get nothing.
No one is immune to the risk of illness and accidents
You might think this may not happen to you (and, of course, we hope it doesn’t), but it’s important to recognise that no one is immune to the risk of illness and accidents.
Minimise the financial impact on you and your loved ones
We never think a critical illness is going to happen to us, especially when we feel fit and healthy, but it can and does. If the worst does happen, it’s important to make sure you’re financially protected against the impact a critical illness could have on you and your family.