Pension saving high up on the list of workplace priorities
Workers from the so-called ‘millennial generation’ are putting pension saving high up their list of workplace priorities. Nearly six in ten (57%) people in their first ten years of work considered the quality of their current employer’s pension scheme before deciding whether to take the job, and they will also assess any potential new employer’s pension scheme before moving jobs in the future, according to research from Prudential[1].
Repeated payouts to children could have a detrimental impact on your own long-term saving
Many parents who are in a position to do so would want to provide financial help to their children. However, in many cases, this financial support ends up being gifts from Mum and Dad rather than the loans from the Bank of Mum and Dad they start out as.
Think about the level of risk you might be willing to take with your hard-earned cash
We all dream of a more prosperous financial future, but how do you turn this into a reality? With interest rates on savings accounts stuck at low levels, it’s difficult to get any real growth on your money over the long term.
Millions of older workers pin hopes on downsizing, inheritance or lottery win
Older workers are finding themselves caught in a position of retirement roulette, as many are relying on external factors such as a downsizing, an inheritance or even a lottery win to be able to afford a comfortable retirement, according to Aviva’s latest Real Retirement Report.
Living longer is a good thing, right? Most people would probably agree with that. Living longer means more time to enjoy all the world has to offer and more time to spend with cherished family and friends – and everyone wants at some point to stop working and enjoy their retirement.
With retirement in your sights, what do you think you’ll miss?
Spending time with family, easily having a shower or bath and driving a car are the top day-to-day moments that most people would miss if they could no longer do them. However, seven in ten (69%) people – over 36 million[1] people – fail to associate good health with being able to do activities like these, according to research released by Bupa Health Clinics which surveyed over 4,000 people across the UK.
Preparing for an independent future should a relationship break down
When disputes arise within families, emotions run high and rash decisions are made. This is why divorce is an arena fraught with acrimony. But seven in TEN couples don’t consider pensions during divorce proceedings, leaving some women short-changed by £5 billion[1] every year. Research shows that more than half of married people (56%) would fight for a fair share of any jointly owned property, and 36% would want to split their combined savings.
Planning could save a family hundreds of thousands of pounds payable
Effective estate preservation planning could save a family a potential Inheritance Tax (IHT) bill amounting to hundreds of thousands of pounds. IHT planning has become more important than ever, following the Government’s decision to freeze the £325,000 lifetime exemption, with inflation eroding its value every year and subjecting more families to IHT.
Owning a residence which is left to direct descendants
The Inheritance Tax residence nil-rate band (RNRB) came into effect on 6 April 2017. The RNRB provides an additional nil-rate band where an individual dies on or after 6 April 2017, owning a residence which they leave to direct descendants. During the 2017/2018 tax year, the maximum RNRB available is £100,000. This rises in £25,000 increments in subsequent tax years until it reaches £175,000 in 2020/2021, after which it will be indexed in line with the Consumer Prices Index.
Potential implications of such gifts with regard to Inheritance Tax
Some people like to transfer some of their assets whilst they are alive – these are known as ‘lifetime transfers’. Whilst we are all free to do this whenever we want, it is important to be aware of the potential implications of such gifts with regard to Inheritance Tax. The two main types are potentially exempt transfers (PETs) and chargeable lifetime transfers (CLTs).
