by Brian Downton | J, Sep, 2021 | blog, wealth-management
Most economists expect inflation to pick up over the next few months as lockdown restrictions ease and shops and restaurants reopen. But is this a cause for concern? As lockdown measures begin to lift, financial markets are making their adjustments in anticipation of...
by Brian Downton | J, Sep, 2021 | blog, protection
Insurance claims for accidental damage increased over the past year as more people worked from home, so it’s a good time to check your own coverage. Figures from some of the country’s biggest insurance providers have shown a sharp rise in claims of accidental damage...
by Brian Downton | J, Aug, 2021 | blog, wealth-management
We explore what makes an emerging market and why they can offer attractive investment opportunities. For example, South Korea is one of the world’s largest and wealthiest nations. Its GDP per capita – which measures economic output divided by total population – was...
by Brian Downton | J, Aug, 2021 | blog, mortgages
Lenders are now offering a government-backed 95% mortgage scheme to help more first-time buyers onto the property ladder. The government is hoping to turn ‘generation rent’ into ‘generation buy’ with the help of a 5% mortgage deposit scheme launched on 19 April....
by Brian Downton | J, Aug, 2021 | blog, general
Following the news that thousands more people are expected to pay the standard 40% inheritance tax this year because of the effects of the pandemic, we explore some of the ways to navigate the complexities of inheritance tax. The complex laws around inheritance tax...
by Brian Downton | J, Jul, 2021 | blog, Pensions
Employer pensions can accumulate as we change jobs, and it’s easy to lose track of how much each one contains. We explore what you need to know if you’re thinking about consolidating your pensions. When you leave a job, it’s easy to forget about the workplace pension...
by Brian Downton | J, Jul, 2021 | blog, Pensions
We all know we need to save for retirement, don’t we? But we also know it’s not always that easy to find the spare cash required to do so, especially amid a global pandemic. Research studies, though, typically show that many retirees wish they’d saved on a more...
by Brian Downton | J, Jul, 2021 | blog, Pensions
Did you know that the State Pension age (SPA) increased to 66 for both men and women in October 2020 and it’s set to rise further? Knowing your SPA, together with how much you can expect to receive, is an important part of your retirement plan that is often...
