Month: August 2016

As the government continues to increase the state pension age and life expectancy continues to increase, we have to give some thought to what age we would like to retire. When I speak to my clients, I explain that if they plan for retirement early, they can retire when they hope to – if they...

An annuity guarantees security in retirement, while drawdown offers flexibility. Can new guaranteed drawdown products offer you the best of both worlds? Since pension freedoms were introduced last April, retirees have had more flexibility and choice when it comes to taking their retirement income. They are no longer obliged to buy an inflexible annuity. However, with choice...

We try to produce a balanced, rational market commentary at the end of every month. The politicians do their best to turn it into a soap opera. Ah well, here we go… When we left you last month the UK had just voted for Brexit. David Cameron had announced his decision to resign and a...

Post-Brexit housing concerns Many predicted before the EU referendum that a vote to leave would have a negative effect on the property market. Now that Brexit is set to become a reality, that has transferred into worry amongst many with a stake in property, which in turn could make the predicted negativity become a self-fulfilling...

Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) are publicly listed closed-end funds. They are crafted to provide individual investors access to venture capital investments through regular capital markets. This is achieved through VCT fund managers working to generate above-average returns for investors by identifying potentially profitable investments in small unlisted firms. As any investment is always spread across...

Since the result of the EU referendum was announced in the early hours of 24th June and the country discovered that Brexit was to become a reality, it’s been hard to keep up with the multitude of changes that have occurred in the weeks that have followed. But what about the financial impact of Brexit?...

Ethical funds are also known as green funds or socially responsible investment (SRI) funds, and are categorised as funds where the investment choices are shaped by criteria linked to social, environmental and other ethical issues. This is usually done through one or more of three approaches: screening, best in class and engagement. Screening involves the...