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Do you know what you're paying for?

It seems a simple question, yet one we find that not all recipients of financial advice understand. Many aren’t really clear about what charges they are actually paying and what service they are receiving for said payment.

One of the goals of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has been to bring greater clarity to what consumers pay for and what service they receive from the financial services industry, but many people still aren’t fully aware.

Changes in the pensions world

It has certainly been a momentous year in the pensions world. The March budget set the ball rolling with changes to flexibility and how retirement funds will be accessed and is probably the biggest shake up in the last 25 years.

How a 10% change can add 61% to profits

When talking to clients, I’m often asked about ways in which to increase profits. A lot of business owners simply look at two factors; one being increasing sales and the second being reducing costs. I suggest that there are actually five areas to focus on when looking to increase profit and these are:

Extension of DOTAS rules to Inheritance Tax planning

What is DOTAS?

Workplace pensions – employer duties – part two

You may recall from our previous auto enrolment articles that we have examined the importance of addressing employer obligations.

Research by The Pensions Regulator (TPR) still shows that employers do not know the exact date that they need to comply with the law introduced by the government.

The Great British Biscuit v Cake Off

It’s not often you find that Mary Berry or Paul Hollywood might have come in handy in a tax case. However, just prior to this year’s Great British Bake Off, a far weightier confectionery matter was being judged at the First Tier Tax Tribunal.  

The case was brought by two Scottish companies - Thomas Tunnock Ltd and Lees of Scotland Ltd. Quite literally presented with a plate of sweet treats the Tribunal had to decide if a ‘snowball’ - a chocolate and coconut covered marshmallow - was a cake or a biscuit.

Pointers on how to build your own ‘Grand Designs’ portfolio

Being a regular viewer of the TV programme Grand Designs, this often brings to mind how many similar parallels there are when it comes to investment. 

A federal UK future?

In the beginning…

There has been much discussion amongst political commentators  on the promises made as part of the Scottish Referendum campaign.

While the focus has been on Scotland and the further potential devolution of powers, there has been an increasing lobby of English MP’s who are unhappy about the powers gravitating to Scotland, particularly when Scottish MP’s sitting in the UK Parliament can vote on matters affecting all of the UK.

Freedom and choice in pensions – The Pensions Bill

Since George Osborne’s budget announcement earlier this year, we have written a number of articles on the changes that are due to come into effect in April 2015.

The government has now published the updated draft of the Taxation of Pensions Bill, which brings into effect all that was proposed in the initial budget statement.

All measures detailed below will come into operation from 6 April 2015 and be available for those aged 55 or over.

Freedom and choice in pensions – Use it or lose it!

We have already explored the changes that are emerging from George Osborne’s March 2014 Budget and although many of these aren’t effective until next year, it may seem odd to be talking of the possibility of losing out when so much flexibility is becoming available.

That said, there are some options currently available where acting now could be more beneficial than after April 2015, as they will disappear.

Trivial commutation and small pots