Retirement Issues

We are able to utilise our experience and expertise to assist you in finding the best solutions for financial matters.

1. Sorting out retirement options. From age 55 it is possible to take your retirement benefits. There are quite a few options and we can help you to understand them and assist you in obtaining the solution that best suits your circumstances.
2. Dealing with mortgage/remortgage challenges. Experience and expertise and access to all of the market, enables us to seek out the best available deals. Your mortgage is likely to be your biggest monthly bill, so ensure you are paying the lowest rate possible.
3. ‘Insuring’ all is well. Protection in the form of life assurance, critical illness cover and income replacement are available to ensure you are covered in case of the unexpected. Research has shown that 6 out of 10 families in the UK have no life assurance arrangements. Insurance does not have to be expensive. As independent financial advisers, we can find the cheapest solutions for you.
4. Raising funds or reducing outgoings. There are quite a variety of ways to raise funds or reduce outgoings and we can look at all the options with you.
5. Equity Release Plans. Homeowners with small or no mortgages will have options to access funds via Equity Release Plans. Whether you use them or not, it is good to know what can be done.
6. A variety of other reasons including savings and investment and simply better understanding financial options.

Just give us a ring with whatever you would like to discuss on 01342 313302.

RETIREMENT OPTIONS AND RISKS

If you are over 55 and wish to take your pension benefits, you should consider the various choices and what the risks are. Annuity rates are continuing to fall as people live longer and there are also items of legislation which are affecting annuity rates such as the EU Gender Directive which requires annuity provides to offer the same rates to men and women, even though women statistically live longer than men. Some pension options include ongoing investment risks while others face risk of inflation.

We would be happy to assist you to understand more about these various options so you can make an educated decision. Do remember that past performance is no guarantee of future performance and the value of your investments can go down as well as up.

LIFE ASSURANCE – LOOKING AFTER THOSE WHO DEPEND ON YOU

Life assurance is generally an inexpensive way to cover your commitments – whether that be a young family or business associates. Like Buildings Insurance or Car Insurance, it is a vital way of protecting assets (what more important asset is there than you yourself!). We can search the market for you to find the most inexpensive options available. Just give us a ring.

SAVINGS – SOME BASICS

Saving and investing money is a very important part of personal finances. Here are some tips:

1. For money you hold on cash deposits, keep watch over the interest rate. Banks and Building Societies, unfortunately, will not necessarily remind you when that lovely introductory rate that attracted you in the first place, drops considerably.
2. Take advantage of tax efficient savings. Your cash savings generally should be in Cash ISAs (Individual Savings Accounts) for both a good rate and so you do not lose part of the interest to the Tax Man.
3. Don’t use credit cards for long term borrowing. Take out a personal loan instead.
4. If you are saving for your children (or grandchildren), find out about the Junior ISA, and also look at the selection for children at the National Savings and Investment website.