Insights

The Individual Savings Account (ISA) allowance rose to £20,000 in the last tax year (2017-18), by far its most generous level since the ISA was launched 20 years ago. But are you making the most of this allowance? And if not, why not?

Most people accept that tax is a fact of life, and that while there might be ways to minimise it, the more you earn, the more you owe. But when it comes to Inheritance Tax (IHT), many clients feel a sense of injustice. After all, they’ve dutifully paid their taxes, and diligently saved so as not to be a burden on the state.

This year managed to get off to a positive start with equity markets recovering some of the losses endured at the end of 2018. This recovery was largely due to the US Federal Reserve (Fed) taking a U-turn on monetary policy.

Julia Peake, National Account Manager, reflects on a report published by the Department for Work & Pensions and discusses how we can engage the self-employed with their pension savings.

Despite the negativity surrounding Brexit, as well as other recent economic uncertainty, investors and businesses have been enjoying excellent conditions for the last few years. Low inflation, low borrowing costs and a rising equity market with low volatility have all been features of the most recent economic cycle.

There is thought to be somewhere between £15bn and £77bn in unclaimed money sitting in forgotten investments, pensions, bank accounts and a whole range of other places in the UK. So, how can you go about finding out if any of it is yours?

We’re used to the ups and downs of different business cycles, and we’ve come to expect and prepare for them. But with unusual circumstances such as a trade war and the reversal of quantitative easing, the outlook becomes harder to predict. As risks build across the global economy, here are the key things we’ll be looking out for in 2019.

Life has become increasingly expensive for young people and for many the pressure of high property prices, expensive university education and the need to save for their own retirement is overwhelming. While the older generation, who benefited from rising house prices and final salary pensions, have arguably ‘never had it so good’, their children and grandchildren are struggling.

According to the financial forecasters at the UK Office for Budget Responsibility, £5.4 billion will be raised by HMRC from Inheritance Tax (IHT) in the coming financial year. More people have found themselves subject to IHT as the value of property has increased, but one way you can limit your liability is to invest in companies listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM).

Pension freedoms offer the flexibility needed for a long retirement, but you may need expert financial advice to get it right.   Have you noticed a recent surge in the number of pensioners powering down your local high street in Lamborghinis? Probably not, but that was the concern when new pension freedoms were introduced in April 2015.

We’ve all experienced the consequences of a sugar rush: lethargy, sluggishness and plenty of volatility. But can the same principles be applied to economies and their own versions of artificial stimulus?

Previous complicated rules and lack of general understanding about ISA legislation in the event of the death of an ISA holder means spouses/civil partners do not always utilise the ISA Additional Permitted Subscription (APS) they are entitled to on the death of the first spouse/civil partner.

How we feel about Brexit very much depends on one’s perspective. Regardless on the lens through which you view this fascinating chapter in our country’s history, one thing remains true - since the day of the referendum itself, there is very little most of us can do to control the outcome.

As 2018 draws to a close, we’re taking a slightly more defensive position on behalf of our clients, with capital protection underpinning many of our investment decisions. Here we explain why we’ve further reduced our exposure to equities, and what we see as the key risks to economic growth going forward.