Latest news from Lovewell Blake Financial Planning

Plant in a jar of coins

New Year is the perfect time to review your financial health as well as your personal health

02.01.2025
David Haughton
Financial Planning
4 min read

The new year is the perfect time to spring clean your finances, says David Haughton of Lovewell Blake Financial Planning.

Will Gaines

Did you know: that as a result of long-term illness or injury, statistics show that 59% of people would last less than 12 months without their income, and 43% would struggle within 6 months?

18.12.2024
Will Gaines
Financial Planning
2 min read

Statutory Sick Pay is currently £116.75 per week.

Andrew Spaxman

Did you know: that you can nominate beneficiaries for your pension? This ensures that, when you die, any unused pension pot isn’t lost and can pass on according to your wishes.

18.12.2024
Andrew Spaxman
Financial Planning
2 min read

The recent Budget has focussed attention on what happens to a pension when the pension holder dies.

Chris Egmore

Did you know: that since 2015, ‘pensions freedoms’ allow you to access your pension pot from age 55?

17.12.2024
Christopher Egmore
Financial Planning
3 min read

You can take it as a lump sum, drawdown regular amounts or buy a fixed income with an annuity.

Richard Ince

Did you know: that life expectancy is increasing, which means you might need a larger pension pot to maintain your ideal lifestyle in retirement?

16.12.2024
Richard Ince
Financial Planning
1 min read

Advances in medical science, coupled with healthier lifestyles, means that average life expectancy continues to rise.  In the ten years from 2011 to 2021, average life expectancy grew from 80 to 81½.

hospital

Did you know: that Income Protection Insurance can replace up to 70% of your income due to illness or injury?

12.12.2024
Financial Planning
1 min read

Statutory Sick Pay is currently £116.75 per week.  That is less than a third of the weekly take-home pay of someone on the adult minimum wage.

Scott Hansell director for Lovewell Blake Financial planning

Did you know: that only about 35% of UK adults have life insurance, despite its importance in providing for their families?

12.12.2024
Scott Hansell
Financial Planning
2 min read

There are two main reasons that people take out life insurance cover – but many should be considering it for other purposes.

Scott Hansell, Director of financial planning

More investors looking at benefits of EIS and VCT investing

12.12.2024
Scott Hansell
Financial Planning
2 min read

A growing number of investors are seeking ways to invest tax-efficiently in places other than their pensions and ISAs, usually because they have already fully used their ISA allowances, and significant pension contributions have compounded over the years.

Someone using a calculator to work figures out

The additional benefits of EIS and VCT investing

12.12.2024
Scott Hansell
Financial Planning
3 min read

A growing number of investors are seeking ways to invest tax-efficiently other than through their pensions and Individual Savings Accounts (ISA). The reason being that those investors have fully used their ISA allowances and have significant pension contributions have compounded over the years. Pensions have a tax-efficient lifetime allowance, above which clients question why they should keep adding if they are going to get taxed later at a higher rate!

Teresa Baker

Did you know: that if you start saving at 40, you’ll need to save a considerable amount more than if you started at 20, to achieve the same retirement goals?

11.12.2024
Financial Planning
2 min read

When should you start saving for your retirement? 

Steve Metcalfe, Director of financial planning

Don’t panic! No need for knee-jerk reactions to Budget pensions IHT announcement

09.12.2024
Stephen Metcalf
Financial Planning
2 min read

Stephen Metcalf of Lovewell Blake Financial Planning says that pension-holders should avoid any knee-jerk reactions to the Budget announcement that pensions will fall under inheritance tax from 2027.

Stephen Cameron, Financial Adviser, Lovewell Blake

Securing your family's financial future is the best gift you can give this Christmas

09.12.2024
Stephen Cameron
Financial Planning
3 min read

The festive season is an excellent time to combine seasonal generosity with some inheritance tax planning.

Trazer Farnese

Did you know: that only about 12% of UK adults have Critical Illness insurance and yet statistically, 1 in 3 of us are likely to suffer a serious condition?

09.12.2024
Trazer Farnese
Financial Planning
1 min read

If you become seriously ill, the very last thing you want are financial worries.

Robin Carnaby

Did you know: that based on historical data, if you held a portfolio of stocks and shares for one year, there is a 68% chance of making money? But, if you held them for 20 years, you increase your chances to 100%.

04.12.2024
Robin Carnaby
Financial Planning
2 min read

People tend to believe that the short-term volatility of the stock market makes it a risky investment, but here is an important fact:

Chloe Moore, Lovewell Blake Financial Planning

Did you know: that investing in stocks and shares can produce higher returns than cash in 90% of cases?

04.12.2024
Financial Planning
1 min read

In the 30 years between 1992 and 2022, the FTSE 100 outperformed the returns on cash investments by more than 4% annually – if you compound that growth, it amounts to a very significantly higher return over the long-term.

Jonathan Matchett Lovewell Blake Financial planning

Did you know: that contributions to your pension can receive tax relief?

02.12.2024
Jonathan Matchett
Financial Planning
1 min read

Everyone wants to pay less tax, and everyone likes a bonus – and saving in a pension meets both those aspirations.

Ricky Banham

Are you aware of where all your pensions are?

07.11.2024
Ricky Banham
Financial Planning
3 min read

Now the dust has settled on the Autumn Budget, we wanted to turn our attention to pensions and put to you - ‘do you know where all of your pensions are?’. If the answer to this question is no – it is never too late for a pension cleanse!

Scott Hansell director for Lovewell Blake Financial planning

Could you be missing out on State Pension payments?

20.09.2024
Scott Hansell
1 min read

Thousands of people are missing Home Responsibilities Protection from their NI record.

Stephen Metcalf Director of Lovewell Blake Finnancial Planning

‘A step in the right direction’ towards monitoring the performance of workplace pensions

16.09.2024
Stephen Metcalf
Financial Planning
2 min read

Stephen Metcalf of Lovewell Blake Financial Planning welcomes a new FCA framework which will assess the performance of workplace defined contribution pension schemes.

Stephen Metcalf Director of Lovewell Blake Finnancial Planning

‘All you need to know about pensions in 20 minutes’: financial planning firm offers free online webinars as part of pension awareness week

04.09.2024
Stephen Metcalf
Financial Planning
2 min read

One-to-one pension review appointments also on offer.

Stephen Metcalf Director of Lovewell Blake Finnancial Planning

Leading Financial Planning firm offers pension guidance sessions as part of Pension Awareness week

12.08.2024
Stephen Metcalf
Financial Planning
2 min read

A leading firm of financial planners is giving people the chance to take a closer look at their retirement plans as part of Pension Awareness Week, which runs from 9th-13th September.

Andrew Spaxman

Protecting your loved ones

03.07.2024
Andrew Spaxman
Financial Planning
3 min read

When it comes to personal protection, it is not often considered as a necessary expense.

Chris Egmore

New tax year, new ISA allowance

15.04.2024
Christopher Egmore
Financial Planning
3 min read

A new tax year brings a brand new ISA allowance, which makes now a great time to consider your options, says Chris Egmore of Lovewell Blake Financial Planning.

Stephen Metcalf Director of Lovewell Blake Finnancial Planning

Is it time to simplify your financial life?

14.04.2024
Stephen Metcalf
Financial Planning
3 min read

Consolidating your investments with one adviser or financial manager brings a number of advantages, says Stephen Metcalf of Lovewell Blake Financial Planning.

Scott Hansell and Stephen Metcalf directors for Lovewell Blake Financial planning

Two new directors appointed to Lovewell Blake Financial Planning

02.04.2024
Financial Planning, News
1 min read

Lovewell Blake Financial Planning, the financial planning division of Lovewell Blake, has announced that Stephen Metcalf and Scott Hansell have been appointed directors.

Scott Hansell director for Lovewell Blake Financial planning

Why asset diversification matters for investors

21.03.2024
Scott Hansell
Financial Planning
4 min read

In the world of finance and investment, the concept of portfolio diversification plays a pivotal role. It is a strategy that forms the bedrock of prudent financial management and is often touted as one of the most effective ways to manage risk and maximise returns. In this article, we'll delve into the significance of portfolio diversification, the advantages it offers, and how a well-managed portfolio ensures a diversified set of investments.

Scott Hansell, Director of financial planning

Overcome those investment jitters to take advantage of a good time to invest

14.03.2024
Scott Hansell
Financial Planning
3 min read

Being nervous about market volatility shouldn’t be a reason not to invest, says.

Scott Hansell director for Lovewell Blake Financial planning

Personal cashflow - Taking the whole life view

13.03.2024
Scott Hansell
Financial Planning
2 min read

The final part of our personal cashflow series looks at how the cashflow modelling tool is a robust way of predicting the impact of each financial decision.

Stephen Metcalf Director of Lovewell Blake Finnancial Planning

Everything you need to know about workplace pensions

05.03.2024
Stephen Metcalf
Financial Planning
3 min read

Workplace pensions are a crucial aspect of financial planning in the United Kingdom, providing individuals with a means to secure their financial future during retirement. For employers and employees alike, understanding how workplace pensions work is essential. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive overview of workplace pensions, answering common questions and addressing key topics related to employers' and employees' pension contributions.

Matt Harrington

Everything you need to know about NHS Pensions

28.02.2024
Matthew Harrington
Financial Planning, Healthcare
4 min read

If you're a healthcare professional working in the United Kingdom, one of the most valuable benefits you receive is your NHS pension. It's crucial to understand how NHS pensions work, the contribution rates, and the potential financial value they hold.

Scott Hansell director for Lovewell Blake Financial planning

Cashflow - Time to retire

21.02.2024
Scott Hansell
Financial Planning
2 min read

In the first three parts we have introduced the concept of personal cashflow planning, and seen how it has helped Joe and his wife Jessie face unforeseen events, pay for their son Johnnie’s education, and stay on track for a comfortable retirement. In this part we see how the online planning tool can help them achieve that goal.

Scott Hansell director for Lovewell Blake Financial planning

Cashflow - Joe, Jessie and Johnnie

08.02.2024
Scott Hansell
Financial Planning
3 min read

In parts one and two, we saw the value of personal cashflow planning for our case study, Joe. In this part, we find him married with a baby.

Robin Carnaby

Does your business have a will?

01.02.2024
Robin Carnaby
Financial Planning
4 min read

The death of a key person can be a dangerous time for a business, so it pays to protect against it, says Robin Carnaby of Lovewell Blake Financial Planning.

Trazer Farnese

Seven financial things you should be doing when you get a new job

29.01.2024
Trazer Farnese
Financial Planning
3 min read

Starting the year with a new job? It’s a great time to be reviewing your personal finances, says Trazer Farnese of Lovewell Blake Financial Planning.

Scott Hansell director for Lovewell Blake Financial planning

Cashflow - Facing up to the consequence of illness

24.01.2024
Scott Hansell
Financial Planning
2 min read

In part one, we looked at the concept of personal cashflow planning, and how it can help people map out their financial futures In this part, we look at what happens when an unforeseen event disrupts the plan.

Analytics on documents

Cashflow - It's not just for business

09.01.2024
Scott Hansell
Financial Planning
3 min read

The rise of personal cashflow planning

Scott Hansell director for Lovewell Blake Financial planning

Employer pension contributions – an extremely efficient way of withdrawing cash from your business

22.11.2023
Scott Hansell
Financial Planning
3 min read

For owner-managers of incorporated businesses, making employer pension contributions can be an extremely tax-efficient way of withdrawing cash from a business, says Scott Hansellof Lovewell Blake Financial Planning.

Stephen Cameron for Lovewell Blake Financial Planning

10 things to do once you are retired

21.11.2023
Stephen Cameron
Financial Planning
3 min read

Yesterday, you were busy working and today you are retired, what’s next?

Richard Ince, financial planner

What is a midlife gap year?

24.10.2023
Richard Ince
Financial Planning
5 min read

Taking a midlife gap year can transform your life, but it needs careful planning.

People using an ipad and a laptop

Changes to the Lifetime Allowance and Pension Death Benefits

04.10.2023
Financial Planning
2 min read

During the Spring Budget 2023 the Government announced the removal of the Lifetime Allowance (LTA) and in the 2023/2024 tax year we have seen the LTA Tax Charge being abolished.

calculator

Good Money Week 2023

02.10.2023
Stephen Metcalf
Financial Planning
2 min read

We are living in a world where it is not unusual for both individuals and groups to actively look for ways to reduce our impact on the environment. For example, ‘Just Stop Oil’ has carried out a series of high-profile protests, including recently disrupting play at Wimbledon and Lords.

Matt Harrington

New guidance on investing charity funds published

18.09.2023
Matthew Harrington
Financial Planning, Charities
4 min read

The Charity Commission’s document aimed at charity trustees which gives guidance on investing charity money has been significantly updated.

Ricky Banham

Is it too early/late to start investing in a pension?

21.08.2023
Ricky Banham
Financial Planning
1 min read

For some, retirement might feel miles off, but the sooner you can start saving for it, the better.

David Haughton

Retirement - An emotional journey?

10.08.2023
David Haughton
Financial Planning
2 min read

Retirement has a habit of creeping up on you whilst you are busy getting on with your life, to the extent that we barely give it consideration until it is almost upon us.

handshake

Is orange the new green? For investors, not yet

17.07.2023
Andrew Spaxman
Financial Planning
4 min read

High-profile protests by Just Stop Oil activists are making the headlines – but are they influencing investors, asks Andrew Spaxman of Lovewell Blake Financial Planning.

Richard Ince

Annuities offering attractive returns for retirees

10.07.2023
Richard Ince
Financial Planning
2 min read

Soaring rates are bringing annuities back into fashion, says Richard Ince of Lovewell Blake Financial Planning.

Matt Harrington

Changes to the Lifetime Allowance

21.06.2023
Matthew Harrington
Financial Planning, Tax
3 min read

The 2023 Spring Budget introduced a number of key changes to pension legislation, and in particular changes to the Lifetime Allowance.

Matt Harrington

Income Protection

22.05.2023
Matthew Harrington
Financial Planning
2 min read

With the rising cost of living, protecting your income has become increasingly important. So, what would you do if you were unable to work due to a long-term illness or injury and your income dropped, or worse, stopped?

Chris Egmore

Business in East Anglia

04.04.2023
Christopher Egmore
Financial Planning
4 min read

The pensions measures in the recent Budget is good news for high earners, but there are still some uncertainties.

using a calculator

Capital Gains Tax changes – A summary

27.03.2023
Financial Planning, Tax
2 min read

In the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement on 17 November 2022, he announced that Capital Gains Tax (CGT) allowances will be reduced from April 2023 and then further reduced from April 2024.

Richard Ince

Understanding Inheritance Tax

24.02.2023
Richard Ince
Financial Planning, Tax
2 min read

As part of the Autumn Statement 2022, the government is freezing Inheritance Tax (IHT) thresholds for an extra 2 years, until April 2028. This means that you could risk losing up to 40% of your estate.

Matt Harrington

NHS Pension Retirement Flexibilities

23.02.2023
Matthew Harrington
Financial Planning, Healthcare
2 min read

In recent correspondence to members, the NHS Business Services Authority (BSA) has set out details of proposed changes to the NHS Pension Scheme, aimed at introducing additional flexibility for members at retirement

Jonathan Matchett Lovewell Blake Financial planning

The 4% rule: How much should I spend in retirement?

03.02.2023
Jonathan Matchett
Financial Planning
5 min read

When planning for retirement, it is all about trying to set aside sufficient funds to use in retirement whilst still leaving sufficient funds available to pay for everyday life and specific events that could occur. The 4% rule is a simple way to help you to manage your accumulated pension funds.

Stephen Metcalf Director of Lovewell Blake Finnancial Planning

Billions in lost pensions

28.10.2022
Stephen Metcalf
Financial Planning
2 min read

National Pension Tracing Day, 30th October 2022.

Richard Ince

When is it best for me to retire?

19.05.2022
Richard Ince
Financial Planning
4 min read

Firstly, that’s a great question. The simple answer is that you can retire when you have adequate wealth to do so. This can be a mixture of pensions, savings, investments, and property.

Trazer Farnese

How can you teach teens about money?

17.03.2022
Trazer Farnese
Financial Planning
5 min read

It’s never too early to start teaching young people about money, says Trazer Farnese of Lovewell Blake Financial Planning.

Matthew Harrington, Lovewell Blake Financial Planning

Pensions, Protection and Investments

23.02.2022
Matthew Harrington
Financial Planning
5 min read

No matter if your business is small or large, three things that are often overlooked when running a business are; Pensions, Protection and Investments.

Ricky Banham

What is an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF)?

20.01.2022
Ricky Banham
Financial Planning
1 min read

Diversification is of paramount importance in investment success, and one way to achieve it is by buying ‘Exchange Traded Funds’, or ETFs

Mat Waters for Lovewell Blake

Pension contributions and corporate tax relief

12.11.2021
Matthew Waters
Financial Planning, Payroll
3 min read

In 2012, due to concern that the UK population weren’t taking adequate measures to save for their retirement, the Government took the radical measure of introducing auto-enrolment.

Coins in a Jar with a plant

Understanding 'Pension Freedoms'

08.10.2021
Financial Planning
3 min read

Pension Freedoms was introduced in April 2015 and significantly changed the landscape of pensions and retirement. Ever since its introduction, there remains some misconceptions about what this really means, and the practical implications it has for individuals.

Stuart Lawn Lovewell Blake Financial Planning

What is Inheritance Tax?

01.09.2021
Stuart Lawn
Financial Planning, Tax
3 min read

Many of us could be caught out by Inheritance Tax (IHT). Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to be mega-rich to owe HMRC a chunk of money when you die. I think most of us would prefer as much as possible to go to our loved ones, rather than HMRC.

Ricky Banham

What is pension tax relief?

13.07.2021
Ricky Banham
Financial Planning
2 min read

Pension tax relief can seem like an alien concept, but it pays to understand what it is and how you can make the most of it, up to certain limits.

Matt Harrington

Re-joining the NHS Pension Scheme

17.05.2021
Matthew Harrington
Financial Planning
5 min read

Changes to pension annual allowance rates that were announced in this years budget, those who previously opted-out may now consider opting back in.

calculator

UK Pension Guide

09.04.2021
Financial Planning
4 min read

A pension scheme is a savings plan to help you put money aside for later life. It has favourable tax treatments when compared to other forms of savings.

Someone sitting down

When can I retire?

11.01.2021
Scott Hansell
Financial Planning
2 min read

Firstly, that’s a great question. The simple answer is that you can retire when you have adequate wealth to do so. This can be a mixture of pensions, savings, investments, and property.

Ricky Banham

Changes to pension access

08.12.2020
Ricky Banham
Financial Planning
1 min read

Under the current ‘pension freedom’ rules, individuals over the age of 55 can access their pensions - how and when they choose to do so; however, the government has recently confirmed that this is set to rise to age 57, by 2028.

Documents

Attitude to Risk Vs Capacity for loss

12.11.2020
Andrew Spaxman
Financial Planning
3 min read

The difference between a perceived attitude to risk and actual capacity for loss can often be confused.

Investment analytics

Introduction to active and passive investment management

10.09.2020
Ricky Banham
Financial Planning
3 min read

A tracker fund is a simple way of investing your money in company shares, bonds, and other assets.

Richard Ince

What is Relevant Life Insurance

04.11.2019
Richard Ince
Financial Planning
2 min read

In an ever more competitive employment market, employers are looking closer at the overall benefits they offer, beyond just salary.

Glossary

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