You’ve nurtured your business, but have you paid the same attention to your retirement plans? Some business owners focus a lot of time and energy on making plans for the future of their business, but when it comes to their personal financial future, many discover they are ill-prepared.
The operational demands of running a family business or other closely held enterprise can be all-consuming, but business leaders must take the time needed to assess their organisation’s business succession planning.
Owning a business is time-consuming. Your focus is on managing the day-to-day tasks while growing the business. There’s little time left to think about anything else, especially what would happen if something happened to you. Not having an estate plan in place risks undermining a lifetime of work and jeopardising the livelihood of your family and business partners.
Recent research findings have brought to light a striking observation: fewer than 10% of adults in the UK contribute occasional lump sums to their pensions[1]. This statistic is particularly surprising given that such contributions could significantly amplify one’s retirement savings.
Recent research has uncovered that a staggering 51% of adults in the UK have neither penned a Will nor are they in the process of doing so[1]. This statistic encompasses 13% of individuals affirmatively declaring no future plans to undertake this task.
For investors, the perennial question of whether to ‘stick or twist’ with their current investments or pivot towards the perceived safety of cash is fundamental. Numerous factors influence this decision, which plays a pivotal role in the journey towards financial prosperity.
The financial implications of care in later life are often underestimated, leaving many unprepared for the substantial costs associated with care homes. Establishing a thorough wealth strategy is key to ensuring financial readiness for long-term care needs.
Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) offer a versatile and tax-efficient way to save for the future, whether for yourself, your children or grandchildren. Now that we have entered the new financial year, on 6 April 2024, significant changes to ISAs have been introduced.
As we embark on the new tax year, it presents an opportune moment to review your pension savings strategy, setting a solid foundation for future financial stability. Early attention to your private pension at the onset of the fiscal year is not just about cultivating beneficial saving habits; it’s also about ensuring you fully exploit the benefits and allowances available to you.
Inheritance Tax (IHT) represents a significant consideration for anyone looking to pass on assets to the next generation. As of the 2024/25 tax year, IHT incurs a 40% charge on the portion of an estate exceeding the nil rate band of £325,000, excluding transfers to a spouse or registered civil partner.