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Key tax allowances like the Personal Allowance and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) annual exempt amount can help your money go further. As research shows that overall tax allowances have been cut, it’s more important than ever to understand what allowances make sense for you, and how they can complement your financial plan.

According to calculations by Quilter, over the last decade, eight key tax allowances have fallen by 6% in total. As many of the allowances have failed to grow in line with inflation, in real terms, tax allowances have shrunk at a much sharper pace.

So, which allowances have changed the most in the last 10 years?

The 2 allowances that have increased since 2012/13

Two important allowances have increased in the last decade, which could reduce how much tax you pay.

1. Personal Allowance

The Personal Allowance is the threshold for paying Income Tax. You don’t pay Income Tax on any income that is below the threshold.

It was £7,475 in 2012/13 and has increased to £12,570 for the 2022/23 tax year – a 68% increase.

2. Capital Gains Tax annual exempt amount

If you’re disposing of some assets, such as stocks not held in an ISA, you may be liable for CGT.

The rate of CGT depends on your Income Tax rate, but it can be as high as 20%, or 28% if you’re selling some types of properties. Making use of the annual exempt amount can minimise how much tax you pay when selling assets.

For the 2022/23 tax year, the allowance is £12,300, up from £8,105 10 years ago.

The 6 tax allowances that have fallen in the last decade

1. Pension Annual Allowance

The pension Annual Allowance is the maximum you can contribute to your pension each tax year while still benefiting from tax relief (not including any “carry forward”). In the last decade, the allowance has fallen by 20% to £40,000 in 2022/23.

Some high earners may have an even lower Annual Allowance if they’re affected by the Tapered Annual Allowance. For every £2 you earn over £240,000 (adjusted income), your Annual Allowance falls by £1 to a minimum allowance of £4,000.

2. Pension Lifetime Allowance

The Lifetime Allowance is the total value your pension can be before you may face additional tax charges when you access it. Over the last 10 years, it’s fallen by 28%. So, how much you can save for retirement tax-efficiently has been significantly reduced.

For the 2022/23 tax year, the Lifetime Allowance is £1,073,100.

3. Money Purchase Annual Allowance

The Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPAA) affects how much you can tax-efficiently add to your pension if you’ve already withdrawn an income from it. So, it may affect people who have flexibly retired or plan to return to work after taking some time off.

The MPAA is now just £4,000. It was £10,000 a decade ago.

4. Nil-rate band for Inheritance Tax

The nil-rate band is the threshold for paying Inheritance Tax (IHT). If the value of all of your assets is below the threshold, you don’t need to pay IHT. If it’s above the threshold your estate may be liable for IHT at a standard rate of 40%.

The nil-rate band hasn’t changed in the last 10 years and is £325,000 for the 2022/23 tax year. While that may seem positive, when you consider inflation and how the value of assets may have grown, particularly property, it’s fallen in real terms.

5. The Inheritance Tax (IHT) annual exemption

Much like the nil-rate band, the annual IHT gifting exemption is the same as it was 10 years ago. So, in real terms, it’s become less valuable.

The annual exemption is £3,000 for the 2022/23 tax year. This is the amount you can gift each tax year without it potentially being considered for IHT purposes, as it’s considered immediately outside of your estate.

6. Dividend Allowance

Dividends are a common way for investors to generate an income from their portfolio or for business owners to pay themselves.

The Dividend Allowance is how much you can receive in dividends before tax is due. When it was introduced in the 2016/17 tax year it was £5,000, but it’s now just £2,000.

How can you get the most out of your tax allowances?

With some allowances now frozen until 2026, understanding which ones make sense for you and will help cut your tax bill is important. We’re here to help you understand how to use the eight allowances above, as well as others that may be appropriate, in your financial plan.

Please contact us to arrange a meeting with our team.

Please note: This article is for information only. Please do not act based on anything you might read in this article. All contents are based on our understanding of HMRC legislation, which is subject to change.

A pension is a long-term investment. The fund value may fluctuate and can go down, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Your pension income could also be affected by the interest rates at the time you take your benefits. The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances, tax legislation and regulation, which are subject to change in the future.

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate estate planning or tax planning.

Next year, Boris Johnson’s social care cap will be introduced. So, what is it and what does it mean for you?

The social care cap limits how much an individual will pay for care during their lifetime. It will start in October 2023. The cap is £86,000, but it may not be as generous as it first seems.

The cost of care and the financial decisions someone must make if they or a loved one requires care have been debated, especially as more people are requiring care later in life.

The cost of care varies hugely between locations and the type of care needed. However, according to carehome.co.uk the average cost of living in a residential care home is £704 a week, adding up to £36,608 a year. If nursing care is needed, this rises to £888 a week, or £46,176 a year.

As a result, it’s not surprising that many people are worried about how they will pay for care if they need it and the decisions they’d need to make to fund it.

While a local authority may pay for some or all of care costs, this is means-tested, and most people will need to pay for at least a portion of their care bill. It can mean some people needing to use care facilities are forced to sell their homes or deplete the assets they’d worked hard to secure.

“Daily living costs” are not covered by the care cap

The social care cap will only cover the costs of care. It will not include “daily living costs”. This means care home residents will still be liable for costs such as rent, utility bills, and catering even after they reach the social care cap threshold.

The average daily living costs of a care home resident is difficult to assess. At the moment, many care homes do not itemise bills.

The exclusion of living expenses means it’s still important for people to consider care costs beyond the £86,000 cap.

The distinction between costs has led to criticism of the cap. It’s also received criticism for other reasons, including:

The cap remaining the same for everyone. Individuals with total assets with a lower value could lose more of their estate, as a percentage, than wealthier individuals.
Not tackling the issue of what is classified as “social care” rather than “healthcare”. Dementia sufferers, for instance, will often face higher care costs because the support needed typically comes under “social care” rather than “healthcare”.

If the value of your assets exceeds £100,000, you will need to pay for the cost of care

Whether or not you have to contribute to care costs depends on the total value of your assets, this may include things like your savings, property, and investments.

Under the new rules, people with assets under £20,000 will not have to deplete their assets to pay for care. However, they may have to make contributions from their income depending on how much it is.

If the value of your assets is between £20,000 and £100,000 you may get help from your local authority to pay for care costs, this will be dependent on your income and assets.

If your assets are more than £100,000, you will need to pay for all the care costs until the value falls below this threshold.

There are different savings and asset thresholds in Scotland and Wales.

So, once you consider the value of your property and other assets, it’s likely you would need to pay for care until the cap is reached, and then continue to pay for daily living costs.

It’s important to make potential care costs part of your long-term plan

No one wants to think about needing to use care services later in life. However, making potential costs part of your long-term plan can provide you with security.

Not only does it mean you have a fund to use if it’s needed, but it can also provide you with more choice if care is required. It may mean you’re able to choose a facility that offers the services you want or a residential care home that’s closer to your family and friends.

We can help you put a financial plan in place that will help you reach your goals and provide you with security when things don’t go to plan. Please contact us to talk about care and the steps you can take to create a care fund.

Please note: This blog is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

Pension auto-enrolment means that if you’re employed you’ve likely been automatically enrolled into a pension and contributions are deducted from your pay. However, the minimum contributions may not be enough to secure the retirement you want, and the sooner you identify a gap, the more options you have.

The current minimum contribution is 8% of your pensionable earnings, with 5% deducted from your salary and your employer adding the remaining 3%.

In many cases, the minimum contribution levels will not accumulate enough pension wealth to secure the lifestyle you want. It’s important to understand what income you want in retirement and the steps you can take to achieve this.

Just 27% saving for a “moderate” retirement lifestyle think they’re saving enough

The Pension and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) asked pension savers whether they think they’re saving enough for retirement.

Around three-quarters said they were, however, this fell significantly when they were asked about the retirement lifestyle they want to achieve.

41% of people said they wanted a “moderate” lifestyle, described as covering their basic needs and allowing them to do some of the things they would like in retirement. Just 27% believe they’re saving enough to reach this goal.

In addition, 33% said they were saving for a “comfortable” retirement that would allow them to do most of the things they would like. Only 14% of people with this goal feel they’re taking the right financial steps now.

Nigel Peaple, director of policy and advocacy at the PLSA, said: “We have long argued that current contribution levels are not likely to give people the level of income they expect or need.”

The organisation is calling on the government to gradually increase minimum contribution levels for both employers and employees.

Increasing your pension contributions now could afford you a more comfortable retirement and mean you’re financially secure in your later years. If you’re not sure how your pension contributions will add up over your working life and the lifestyle it will afford you, we can help you create an effective retirement plan that will give you confidence.

3 more reasons to increase your pension contribution

1. You’ll receive more tax relief

When you contribute to your pension, you receive tax relief. This means that some of the money you would have paid in tax is added to your retirement savings. Essentially, it gives your savings a boost and the more you contribute, the more you benefit.

Remember, if you’re a higher- or additional-rate taxpayer, you will need to complete a self-assessment tax form to claim the full tax relief you’re entitled to.

There is a limit on how much you can add to your pension while still benefiting from tax relief known as the “Annual Allowance”. For most people, this is £40,000 or 100% of their annual income, whichever is lower. If you’re a higher earner or have already taken an income from your pension, your allowance may be lower. Please contact us if you’re not sure how much your Annual Allowance is.

2. The money is usually invested

Usually, the money held in your pension is invested.

As you’ll typically be saving over decades, this provides you with an opportunity for your contributions, along with employer contributions and tax relief, to grow over the long term. It means your pension savings could grow at a faster pace and create a more comfortable retirement.

If you want to invest for the long term, doing so through a pension can be tax-efficient.

Keep in mind that your pension usually won’t be accessible until the age of 55, rising to 57 in 2028, and that investment returns cannot be guaranteed.

3. You could pay less tax through salary sacrifice

If you want to increase your pension contributions, it’s worth talking to your employer to see if they offer a salary sacrifice scheme. It could mean you have more for retirement while reducing your tax liability now.

As part of a salary sacrifice scheme, you, as the employee, would agree to reduce your earnings, while your employer would agree to pay the amount your salary has reduced by into your pension. As your income will be lower, you may be liable for less Income Tax while increasing your pension.

Again, keep in mind that you won’t be able to access your pension savings until you reach pension age.

Contact us to understand how you can get more out of your pension

If you’re not sure if you’re saving enough for retirement or want to understand how you can make your contributions add up, please contact us.

Please note: This blog is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

Your pension income could also be affected by the interest rates at the time you take your benefits. The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances. Levels, bases of and reliefs from taxation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.

More retirees are planning to work in some way after they retire. While this flexibility can boost your income and help you strike a work-life balance that suits you, it can lead to some tax implications that you need to consider.

According to a report from abrdn, just a third of people retiring in 2022 plan to give up work completely while two-thirds will continue to work. Flexible retirement is a growing trend, in 2020 just a third of retirees planned to continue working.

When asked how they will work in retirement, 24% of those retiring this year plan to work part-time in their current job or a new position, including in the gig economy. 15% will continue to work in their own business and 12% want to use retirement to become entrepreneurs.

So, while more retirees plan to continue working, many are exploring different options that will help them build the lifestyle they want.

Financial concerns are playing a role in the flexible retirement trend, but it’s not the only reason

While creating an income in retirement is a key reason behind the flexi-retirement trend, it’s not the only one. In fact, 32% said they want something to keep them busy.

Creating a sustainable income that will last throughout your retirement can be difficult to understand. You will often need to consider a range of factors, from life expectancy to potential investment returns. So, it’s not surprising that only a quarter of 2022 retirees are confident that they’ve saved enough.

Higher levels of inflation are adding a layer of complexity.

In the 12 months to April 2022, inflation reached 9%. Retirees that don’t consider how inflation will affect their cost of living over their retirement could find that their spending power dwindles. Inflation can mean that an income that afforded a comfortable lifestyle at the start of retirement doesn’t stretch far enough in your later years unless it rises at the same pace.

Despite this, 27% of retirees said they didn’t know how to mitigate the effect of inflation on their retirement income.

Financial planning can help you understand how your pension savings and other assets can help you build an income you can rely on in retirement. It means you can start this chapter of your life with confidence. For some, it may mean they continue to work past their retirement date.

Financial planning could also help you make your income more tax-efficient if you do plan to continue working in retirement. Just 25% of retirees that want to work are aware of the potential tax implications, and it could mean they face a larger bill than they expect.

3 important questions to consider if you’ll work in retirement

One of the reasons tax can become more complex if you want a flexible retirement is that your income may come from multiple sources and may change depending on your needs.

These three questions can help you understand how your decisions will affect how much tax you pay, and what you can do to reduce your tax bill.

1. Will you access your pension while you work?

If you’re earning an income from working, will you still need to access your pension?

If you have a defined contribution (DC) pension, you can access it flexibly from the age of 55, rising to 57 in 2028. This can help you secure the income you need even if your income from work changes.

However, your pension may be subject to Income Tax, so it’s important to understand how withdrawals will affect your overall tax liability. If your total income exceeds tax thresholds, you could find you pay a higher rate of Income Tax than you expect.

If you don’t need your pension to supplement your income, leaving it where it is can make sense. Money held in a pension is typically invested and can grow free from Capital Gains Tax. So, leaving it invested until you need it can help your savings go further.

2. Will you continue to pay into your pension?

An advantage of continuing to work is that you may still be able to pay into a pension, this can boost your financial security later in life.

If you’re an employee under the State Pension Age and earning more than £10,000 in the 2022/23 tax year, your employer must automatically enrol you into a pension, and contribute on your behalf. Even if you’re not automatically enrolled, you can still add to a pension and benefit from tax relief.

One thing to be aware of is the Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPAA). If you access your pension to take an income, the amount you can tax-efficiently add to your pension each tax year may fall to just £4,000. If you unwittingly exceed this limit, you could face an additional tax charge unexpectedly.

3. Will you claim the State Pension?

If you plan to work past the State Pension Age, you should consider if you’ll still claim the State Pension.

The State Pension may be liable for Income Tax if your entire income exceeds the Personal Allowance, and it could push you into a higher tax bracket. As a result, if you don’t need the income, it can make sense to defer your State Pension for tax reasons.

If you do decide to defer your State Pension, you will receive a higher amount when you claim it. Your State Pension payments would increase by 1% for every nine weeks you defer, which is just under 5.8% if you defer for a year.

If you want to make the most out of your retirement savings, a tailored financial plan that considers your assets, lifestyle decisions, and goals could help reduce your tax liability and give you peace of mind. If you’d like to arrange a meeting with us to talk about your retirement, please contact us.

A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until 55 (57 from April 2028). The fund value may fluctuate and can go down, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.

Throughout February, tensions between Russia and western countries caused concern for investors. As Russia invaded Ukraine, stock markets around the world fell and it’s expected that volatility will continue.

If you’re an investor, remember to keep a long-term outlook when reviewing your portfolio, and if you have any questions, we’re here to help you.

UK

Inflation continued to be a significant influencing factor in the UK in February.

According to the Office for National Statistics, inflation reached a 30-year high of 5.5% in January. This led to the Bank of England (BoE) deciding to increase its base interest rate. While still relatively low at 0.5%, it was the second increase the Bank made in three months, and several policymakers wanted a steeper increase. As a result, the interest rate could rise again this year.

While rising inflation is affecting the cost of living overall, food and energy prices are rising rapidly.

Market analysts Kantar suggests that the annual shopping bill in the UK is set to rise by around £180 this year. Energy prices for many families will increase even more sharply. Energy regulator Ofgem will increase the energy price cap on 1 April 2022 by 54% to £1,971. This decision is expected to affect around 22 million customers.

Once inflation is considered, disposable income will shrink. The BoE expects disposable income to fall by 2% this year and by 0.5% in 2023. This would represent the biggest fall in living standards since comparable records began 30 years ago.

With this in mind, it’s unsurprising that a YouGov poll found that UK households have a gloomy outlook about their financial prospects.

Official figures show that, while GDP in the UK fell by 0.2% in December 2021, over the final quarter of last year it increased by 1%. Consulting firm EY now expects the UK economy to grow by 4.9% this year. This is down from its previous forecast of 5.6%, largely due to the squeeze on household spending power.

Trade and the effects of Brexit also continue to affect businesses across the UK.

UK exports in 2021 to the EU fell by £20 billion when compared to 2018, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. A survey conducted by the British Chambers of Commerce suggests that many businesses are facing post-Brexit challenges. 71% of UK exporters said the post-Brexit trade agreement wasn’t helping them.

While the overall figures paint a picture of an economy that is struggling to recover after the pandemic, there are some companies and sectors that are doing well. TUI, for example, reported that UK summer holiday bookings are up by a fifth when compared to pre-Covid levels.

Europe

The European Commission (EC) cut its forecast for growth in the eurozone as inflation affected economies. The EC now expects the eurozone to grow by 4% in 2022. This compares to its forecast of 4.3% in November 2021.

Inflation in the eurozone reached a record 5.1% in January – significantly higher than the 4.4% forecast. The figure is more than twice the European Central Bank’s target of 2%.

While inflation is presenting some challenges for households and businesses, there was some good news in Europe. The eurozone unemployment rate fell to a record low of 7%, which compares to a rate of 8.2% a year earlier.

Investors in eurozone bonds may also have benefited from high levels of inflation. In expectation of an interest rate rise, bond yields have lifted.

Danish shipping firm Maersk also demonstrates how some firms have profited from the current situation. Thanks to the global economy rebounding, the firm posted record profits.

US

Much like the UK and the rest of Europe, the US is experiencing high levels of inflation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation hit 7.5% in January – a 40-year high.

Unsurprisingly, consumer confidence has been affected by the pressure caused by high inflation, as well as the economic outlook. The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment barometer fell to its lowest levels since late 2011.

Some key figures suggest that the US economy could be struggling to recover from the effects of the pandemic. The US manufacturing sector’s Purchasing Managers Index in January was at a 15-month low with a reading of 55.5. While the figure still represents growth, slower demand and firms struggling to hire staff meant the pace is slowing.

In addition, ADP Jobs reported an unexpected drop in jobs in January as businesses cut 301,000 positions. The leisure and hospitality industry was the hardest hit.

Statistics also show the US trade deficit has reached an all-time high. The gap between imports and exports jumped by 27% in 2021.

Please note: This blog is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

The value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

ESG investing means considering environmental, social, and governance factors when deciding how to invest.

ESG investing continues to grow and more investors are considering how they reflect their values in financial decisions. It covers a broad range of areas, but here are some of the trends that are set to affect ESG investing this year.

The rise of net zero pledges

As part of commitments to reduce companies’ contributions to climate change, many firms have already made pledges to reduce their carbon emissions. In 2022, it’s expected that more will make net zero pledges.

A net zero pledge means a company commits to removing as much carbon from the atmosphere as it adds. This will involve companies reducing the amount of carbon they produce by making changes to their operations.

In addition, the number of companies that engage in carbon offsetting is also expected to rise. This will allow firms to offset those emissions they can’t remove from their process by supporting projects that remove emissions.

Some companies have already made net zero targets, including Microsoft, BT, Sainsbury’s, and PwC. The range of companies that have already committed highlights how it’s a trend that will cross different industries.

However, investors still need to keep greenwashing in mind. Greenwashing is where a company brands products or initiatives as eco-friendly when this is not the case.

Analysis conducted by the NewClimate Institute found that the climate pledges of 25 of the world’s largest companies in reality only commit to reducing their emissions by 40%, not 100% as terms like net zero suggest.

Addressing the social effects of climate change

Climate change has been high on the agenda for ESG investors for years. Now, social factors are gradually being incorporated into this to understand how the consequences of climate change and policies will affect people and communities.

It’s a complex area that can cover many different things. For instance, it may consider how the direct consequences of climate change, such as more extreme weather events, will affect communities and how companies should respond to these events. Or it may look at how the transition away from fossil fuels will affect the progress of countries that are still developing.

The push to consider the social effects of climate change is partly being driven by a pledge made at the COP26 climate conference in November 2021.

The conference brought together governments and other parties to agree on action towards climate change goals. During the conference, more than 30 countries pledged to support workers and communities that will be harmed by the transition to a green economy.

As ESG becomes more mainstream, we’ll likely see more issues that combine the three core areas in some way to tackle complicated challenges.

Scrutinising supply chains

The last two years have highlighted how important supply chains for businesses are, and just how global.

Due to the pandemic, many firms experienced a disruption in their supplies and operations, with the effects being felt across entire supply chains. Even now, some businesses are still struggling to access the materials and products they need to operate at the same level they did before the pandemic.

A robust supply chain can provide security for businesses. On top of this, whether a supply chain reflects a company’s ESG commitments will also come under closer scrutiny.

While this trend can provide more confidence for ESG investors, reviewing complex supply chains could present challenges for both companies and investors.

Pressure for companies to pay their “fair share”

The amount of tax that companies pay in the regions they operate has made headlines in the last few years. Again, the effects of the pandemic mean this trend will be in the spotlight even more.

As governments were forced to borrow more money to provide health and social support during the pandemic, taxes are expected to rise. As the tax burden increases for individuals, it’s anticipated there will be growing pressure for businesses to pay their “fair share”, particularly if they benefited from government support during the pandemic.

While large companies hire whole teams to ensure they pay the correct amount of tax in each jurisdiction, these teams will also use loopholes and reliefs to pay as little tax as possible. As pressure grows for companies to pay a “fair share” it will be interesting to see how this translates to company policy and investor action in 2022 and beyond.

Increasing demand for standardised reporting

As greenwashing becomes a key concern for investors, there will be an increased demand for regulation and reporting standards.

At the moment, it can be difficult to hold firms accountable if they make claims or set vague targets in their reports. This can also make it challenging for investors to compare different investment opportunities against their ESG criteria. To combat this, there will be an increase in demand for more standards.

This is a process that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has already begun. Last year, the FCA published a discussion paper on potential criteria for classifying and labelling investment products that would provide investors with more clarity. However, it’s likely to be a slow process and many years before standard reporting is seen across the industry.

Get in touch

Would you like to consider ESG factors when you invest or review your investment portfolio? We’re here to help you understand how investing can help you reach your goals.

Please note: This blog is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

The value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Official figures show that the amount paid in Inheritance Tax (IHT) has increased again. As the IHT thresholds are set to remain the same despite rising inflation, more people will need to consider how IHT could affect what they leave behind for their families.

According to a report in FT Adviser, IHT receipts between April and November 2021 totalled £4.1 billion. It represents a rise of £600 million when compared to the same period a year earlier. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) also said it expects receipts to be higher over the next reporting period due to higher wealth transfers during the pandemic.

In addition to this, in 2021 the chancellor froze two key thresholds for IHT for five years. Usually, these allowances would increase in line with inflation but will now remain the same until 2026. For some families, this will mean they face a larger IHT bill when a loved one passes away.

If your estate may be affected by IHT, planning is important as there are often steps you can take to reduce how much IHT is paid on your estate.

The IHT nil-rate band for the 2022/23 tax year is £325,000 and will remain at this level until 2026. If the total value of your estate is below this threshold your estate will not be liable for any IHT.

If you will be passing on your main home to your children or grandchildren, you may also use the residence nil-rate band, which means you can pass on an additional £175,000 in the 2022/23 tax year before paying IHT. Again, this allowance is frozen until 2026.

Both of these thresholds are for individuals. So, if you’re estate planning with a partner, you could pass on up to £1 million without IHT being due. This is because a spouse or civil partner can pass on unused allowances to their partner.

If the value of your estate does exceed these allowances, the standard IHT rate is 40%. It can significantly reduce what you pass on to loved ones.

7 things to do if your estate could be liable for Inheritance Tax

1. Value your estate

To understand what steps you can take to reduce a potential IHT bill, you must first understand what is included in your estate and how much it is worth. Your estate includes most of your assets, from property to material goods, and it’s important to accurately value items to make an estate plan that’s right for you.

As well as considering the value of assets now, you should also think about how they may change during your lifetime. Your home, for instance, is likely to rise in value significantly. In 2021 alone, house prices increased by 9.7%, according to Halifax house price index data.

2. Write a will

Even if IHT isn’t a concern, you should write a will. It’s the only way you can ensure your wishes are carried out.

From an IHT perspective, a will can help you make full use of your allowances. For instance, leaving your home to your child in your will means you can use the residence nil-rate band.

3. Pass on gifts to your loved ones

Some gifts could be considered part of your estate when you pass away for up to seven years. These are known as “potentially exempt transfers”.

In contrast, there are some gifts that you can make that are considered outside of your estate straight away. Making use of these can allow you to pass on assets to loved ones without worrying if they’ll be included in IHT calculations.

These gifts include gifting up to £3,000 each tax year, known as your “annual exemption”, and small gifts of up to £250 to individuals. If you’d like to reduce a potential IHT bill through gifting, please contact us.

4. Create a charitable legacy

You can leave gifts to charities in your will. Any gifts that you leave to charities will be considered outside of your estate for IHT purposes. As a result, you can use these gifts to bring the total value of your estate under IHT thresholds while supporting good causes.

In addition, if you leave at least 10% of your entire estate to charitable causes, the rate of IHT you pay will fall from 40% to 36%. For some estates, this could mean leaving more to loved ones.

5. Place your assets in a trust

In some cases, placing some of your assets in a trust can make sense. Using a trust may remove some of your assets from your estate so they are not considered when IHT is calculated. You may still be able to benefit from the assets held in trusts, for example, taking an income from your investments.

There are several types of trust and once set up it can be difficult or impossible to dissolve a trust. So, as well as considering the financial aspect, you should consider taking legal advice before moving forward.

6. Take out a life insurance policy

A life insurance policy won’t reduce the amount of IHT due. However, it can provide your beneficiaries with a way to pay the bill.

A whole of life insurance policy will pay out a lump sum when you pass away. You will need to pay policy premiums or the cover will lapse. You should also have an accurate value of your estate and the amount of IHT that will be due to ensure that the lump sum will cover the full IHT bill.

It’s important to note that the life insurance policy must be written in trust. Otherwise, the payout will be considered part of your estate and the amount of IHT due could increase.

7. Arrange a meeting with us

Depending on your assets and wishes, there may be other options that are appropriate for you. Please contact us to arrange a meeting with a financial planner to discuss what steps you can take to reduce the amount of IHT due on your estate and pass on more of your wealth to loved ones.

Please note: This blog is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate tax or estate planning.

The FIRE movement is a small but growing lifestyle movement. It stands for “financial independence, retire early”, and challenges the traditional path of working until you’re in your 60s before retiring. While the steps FIRE members take can be extreme, it does share some of its core principles with financial planning.

In essence, the FIRE movement involves extreme saving and investing to create a passive income that aims to allow members to retire far earlier than a typical person would. Over the years, several different variations of FIRE have emerged but the goal for all of them is to provide financial freedom which means members can live the lifestyle they want.

Here are five ways FIRE is similar to financial planning.

1. It encourages you to review your spending now

As part of the financial planning process, you will need to look at what your expenses are now. This can help you understand where your money is going and what steps you can take to reach your goals. This may include paying into your pension, adding to your savings, or creating an investment portfolio.

FIRE is an extreme example of this. Members are encouraged to evaluate every expense and purchase they make in terms of the number of hours they’ve worked for it. A common goal of the FIRE movement is to save 70% of your income. This will typically mean adjusting your lifestyle significantly now to secure the future you want.

While both financial planning and FIRE assess what you’re spending now and the effect it will have on your future, financial planning has a greater focus on balance. That means finding a way you can reach short-term goals and live comfortably now, from going on holiday to enjoying hobbies, while still building long-term financial independence.

2. It puts long-term goals at the centre of your finances

The FIRE movement is all about thinking long term, and setting out your goals is part of financial planning too.

In the case of FIRE, the end goal is typically to retire as early as possible while still ensuring you have enough savings to last the rest of your life. For some members, this means they have a goal of retiring in their 30s or 40s and their financial decisions keep this in mind.

When financial planning, thinking long term is an essential part of the process. Your long-term goals may include retiring early, but other things may be important to you too. This could be supporting loved ones financially, travelling the world, or moving into your dream home. Financial planning helps you put these goals at the centre of your financial decisions.

3. It considers retirement early

When should you start thinking about retirement? While most employees will now automatically be paying into a pension, many don’t think about their contributions, or what kind of lifestyle they will enable until retirement is near.

The sooner you engage with a pension, the more likely you are to secure the retirement lifestyle that you want. Even a relatively small increase in your pension contributions while you’re younger can add up.

You may also find you’re missing out on opportunities for your employer to contribute more to your pension or that changing the way your pension is invested makes sense for you.

One of the positive things about FIRE is that it encourages people to start thinking earlier about what they want their retirement to look like.

4. It can provide members with more freedom

Financial independence can give you the freedom to focus on what you want. Having a passive income can mean you’re able to give up work or reduce your hours to spend more time on what’s important to you.

FIRE encourages financial independence through an aggressive saving and investment programme. Members will often have a significant target in mind when building up wealth, such as £1 million or 25 years of income, and will then manage these assets to take a small income that will last throughout their lifetime.

Financial planning can also help you secure greater financial independence. A financial plan helps you reach the goals you’ve set out, but it also considers your financial resilience. This can help protect you from financial shocks and provide you with greater freedom.

By working with a professional, you can have confidence in the steps you’re taking and have someone to talk to if you want to change your lifestyle.

5. It looks at ways to make your money work harder

With such large goals, the FIRE movement has a strong focus on making your money work as hard as possible to build up wealth and then deliver a passive income. This may mean actively reviewing savings accounts to find those with the highest interest rate, and will often mean investing aggressively.

Both of these things can help your wealth grow, but it’s important to review what level of risk is right for you when investing. Financial planning can help you balance risk with potential rewards – all with your goals in mind.

While investments with potentially high rewards can be enticing, they will typically come with higher levels of risk that may not be appropriate. We can help you build an investment portfolio that reflects your risk profile.

Financial planning can help you achieve financial independence and retire sooner if that’s one of your goals while striking a balance to deliver an income that means you can enjoy your life now. If you’d like to talk to us, please get in touch.

Please note: This blog is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

The value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

The latest figures from the Pension Regulator prove that pension auto-enrolment has been a success – more people than ever are saving into a pension. Yet, research also shows that many people don’t think they know enough about saving for retirement.

Before the government introduced auto-enrolment in 2012, just 4 in 10 private sector workers were actively saving into a pension. Now, more than 70% of employees are taking steps to secure their retirement.

According to the Office for National Statistics, pensions represent the largest portion of private wealth in the UK. Individuals hold £6.4 trillion in pensions. The figure compares to £5.5 trillion in property and £2 trillion in cash.

The number of people saving for retirement is rising and the accumulated wealth in pensions is certainly good news, but simply paying into a pension isn’t enough to be sure of a comfortable retirement.

Engaging with your pension and understanding how it’ll create an income when you retire is crucial, and research suggests that many people aren’t confident about their pension knowledge.

6 in 10 people couldn’t confidently say how much they have in their pension

7 out of 10 people can confidently say how much they hold in their cash savings, and 53% said they could estimate the value of their property quite accurately, according to an Aviva survey.

However, just 4 in 10 say the same about their pension despite pensions representing a larger portion of wealth and being crucial for your long-term financial security.

Saving into a pension under auto-enrolment is an important first step, but if you’re not reviewing your pension and what it means for your retirement it could put your long-term wellbeing at risk. Closing the knowledge and confidence gap is just as important as encouraging more people to save through a pension, and it could help you get more out of your savings.

What happens when you pay into a pension?

If you’ve been automatically enrolled into a pension, your contributions will be deducted from your pay cheque, so it’s easy not to think about what happens to the money. But engaging with your pension can help to ensure you’re taking the steps you need to secure your retirement.

As well as your own contributions, in most cases, your employer will contribute on your behalf. On top of this, you will receive tax relief on your contributions to boost your savings even further. This makes a pension a tax-efficient way to save for retirement.

The money within your pension will usually be invested. This could allow your pension savings to grow over the long term. If you haven’t selected how you’d like the money to be invested, it will usually be through a default fund. You will usually have a choice of multiple funds, covering a range of investment risk profiles, allowing you to choose one that’s right for you.

Here are some key questions you should answer to help you understand how your pension savings are building up:

What contributions do you make to your pension?
What contributions is your employer making?
Are you claiming the full amount of tax relief you’re entitled to?
How is your pension invested?

How do you know if you’re saving enough for retirement?

While you may understand how much is in your pension, understanding if it’s “enough” is much more difficult. To do this, you need to consider two things:

How much money do you need to fund your retirement? This will depend on your retirement plans, such as the lifestyle you want. You will also need to consider how long your retirement will last and what other assets you may have to complement your pension.
How will the steps you’re taking now add up over your working life? This means calculating how all the contributions will add up and what you realistically expect the investment returns to be.

Understanding if you’re on track for the retirement you want is important. If there is a gap, the sooner you know, the more options you’re likely to have. Spotting a gap early in your career may mean you can increase your contributions by relatively little as it’ll add up over several decades. If you don’t recognise a gap until you want to retire, you may have to delay or change your plans.

Having confidence in your pension means you benefit from peace of mind now and fully enjoy your retirement when you’re ready. If you’d like help understanding your pension, what it means for retirement, and how it fits into your overall financial plan, please contact us.

Please note: This blog is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until 55 (57 from April 2028). The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Your pension income could also be affected by the interest rates at the time you take your benefits. The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances. Levels, bases of and reliefs from taxation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.