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Martin Jones: Adviser role crucial when accessing pensions in ill-health
With health concerns at the forefront of many people’s minds right now, and with traditional income sources at risk in a way not seen for the best part of a decade, many clients may be looking to their...
View ArticleAdvice is ‘missing link’ in true pension freedom success
Getting the best outcome from pension freedom can only happen with the backing of financial advice, according to an Openwork adviser survey. The reforms, brought in four years ago, gave pension savers...
View ArticlePensions tax relief reform options ‘too complicated’
The options for overhauling pensions tax relief outlined in the government’s call for evidence earlier this week may still be too complex to be workable, according to pension experts. The 40-page...
View ArticleCurtis Banks acquires Dunstan Thomas and Talbot and Muir
Curtis Banks is to acquire rival self-invested pension provider Talbot and Muir and fintech business Dunstan Thomas in separate multi-million pound deals. The total consideration for Talbot and Muir is...
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Chris Read: Murmuration is what you need
The starlings are gathering on the radio masts to see out the day. As the summer turns from July to August, the long summer days shorten to give way to early evening sunsets. The oncoming autumnal days...
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Cathy Russell: Are your clients sitting on a portfolio with substantial...
As we contemplate how the government will repay the debt accumulated during the Covid-19 crisis, many people think this will lead to an increase in taxes. So let’s consider how you could help your...
View ArticleLaura Suter: The effects of the stamp duty holiday
The stamp duty holiday, increasing the tax-free band from £125,000 to £500,000, means that homebuyers can save up to £15,000 – a very decent handout for anyone considering upsizing or getting on the...
View ArticleRP case studies: Refund of excess contributions lump sum explained
The Situation Eloise is 39 and earned £35,000 a year as a manager in a small factory manufacturing furniture. Her grandmother passed away in January 2020, leaving Eloise £75,000 which she received at...
View ArticleBob Champion: Why equity release could boost economic recovery
The Chancellor says now the shops are open, we should “spend, spend, spend” but, given the current economic situation, there is much more to consider before heading out to indulge in some retail...
View ArticleRichard Mattison: How advisers and providers are remodeling post-pandemic...
The upheaval from the economic and legislative reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic has in turn thrown the nation headlong into what could be its worst recession ever. But what does this all mean for...
View ArticleHMRC figures show plunging pension freedom withdrawals
A total of 340,000 people withdrew £2.3bn in flexible payments from their pensions in the second quarter of 2020, according to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Figures released this morning (31 July)...
View ArticleTributes paid to Curtis Banks marketing and comms expert Greg Kingston
Curtis Banks marketing and communications expert Greg Kingston has died aged 47. Kingston joined Suffolk Life, which has since become Curtis Banks, in 2007 and was an integral part of the business. He...
View ArticleGareth James: Regrets, I’ve had a few…..
As someone who enjoys broadening my musical horizons, I’ve been a bit of a latecomer in recent months to the Spotify Discover Weekly function. You have to be prepared to put up with the odd duff tune,...
View ArticleStephen McPhillips: Mixed-use properties in SIPP or SSAS
A number of properties in the UK have the distinction of being of a mixed-use nature. By this, I mean that there are both commercial and residential elements to them. A short walk along many town...
View ArticleJessica List: Divorce, pension sharing and the LTA
You don’t have to look very far at the moment to find news stories about how divorce and dissolution rates are expected to rise during and after lockdown. Law firms across the country are reporting...
View ArticleQuilter doubles redress provision for British Steel pension transfers
Advice giant Quilter has set aside £24m to compensate British Steel workers advised to transfer out of their defined benefit (DB) pensions by Lighthouse, doubling its previous redress provisions. In...
View ArticleClaire Trott: Which pension tax relief option is best for clients?
One of the many things I talk to advisers about on a regular basis is how schemes provide tax relief to their members and if there is anything that they have to do to get what they are entitled to....
View ArticleJamie Smith: Advice essential for pandemic-panicked retirement savers
Before the current pandemic hit, we undertook research into the retirement trends of consumers, asking questions around how and when people would like to retire as well as what their main retirement...
View ArticleJustin Corliss: Destination workplace pension scheme
When the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) released policy statement PS 20/6 on 5 June, much of the initial reaction surrounded the news of a ban on contingent charging beginning 1 October 2020....
View ArticleJohn Reeve: Trustees’ adoption of virtual meeting presents adviser opportunities
Fans of Douglas Adams’ ‘Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy’ would be forgiven for thinking that the last few months have been like a trip through hyperspace with the Infinite Improbability Drive. The...
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