Regardless of the life stage you have arrived at, it is important to receive expert and professional advice on your pension plans and requirements. Yet many people spend more time planning their holiday than their own retirement. Perhaps because planning for retirement seems too complicated to think about. But according to people surveyed for BlackRock’s Investor Pulse survey, the biggest financial priority was still ‘funding a comfortable retirement’.
Parents are still very much in need of a reality check when it comes to the true costs of a university education according to the latest annual student debt research by the Association of Investment Companies (AIC) using Opinium Research. And while over two thirds of parents plan to help their children financially through university, many say they have to resort to drastic measures in order to do so, whether it be downsizing the family home (9%) or using their entire cash savings (22%).
If you are approaching your 50s, you may be considering your retirement options. Perhaps you want to work flexible hours and work when it suits you. You might want to be ‘your own boss’ and set up a business or become self-employed. Or you may want to know what your options are for working after retirement.
Changes to the pension rules are creating new opportunities for scams. Be cautious of anyone approaching you with advice on how to invest your pension. Almost one in ten pensioners has been targeted by financial fraudsters since their retirement.
Individuals are living longer, meaning that savings have to fund a longer period of retirement. However, there has been a well-documented decline in pensions saving over time. Many people do not think about retirement as they consider it’s too far in the future, and almost two thirds (63%) of over-45s who are not yet retired admit they pay little or no attention to their pensions, leading to more than ten million pots being left largely unmonitored[1].
A gradual reduction in the tax-free limit on pension contributions from the current £40,000 a year to £10,000 for high income individuals was announced by the Chancellor, George Osborne, in the July Summer Budget 2015. High income individuals could see their retirement pots reduced by hundreds of thousands of pounds over a lifetime after he confirmed that pensions tax relief will be reduced for those with income (including all pension contributions) of more than £150,000.
New priorities increase the protection gap
Many Britons consider that having an Internet connection and mobile phone is a greater financial priority than protecting their mortgage and income, according to new research. The economic downturn in previous years, low interest rates, job uncertainty and government cuts appear to have taken their toll on some people’s protection priorities.
Anticipated inheritances often don’t materialise. But one in three working Britons (35%) are still relying on an inheritance in order to achieve a stable financial future. The reality is that many could be in for a big shock. The study[1] released by LV= shows millions are banking on an inheritance to provide them with financial assistance, with this cash windfall often key to their retirement plans[2].
Since 6 April this year, anyone aged 55 or over could – in theory – empty their money purchase pension funds entirely, although any withdrawals will be treated as income and taxed as such. Nine in ten people (90%) going in to drawdown have taken advantage of the new pension freedoms and have chosen to take a cash lump sum, according to pension provider Zurich. The remainder are opting for an annuity or drawdown.
Successful investing involves making choices that meet your unique needs today and your financial goals for the future. Your personal circumstances will affect your decisions every step of the way. Whether you are saving for a home, retirement or your child’s education, here are six investing principles to consider: