
New Year is the perfect time to review your financial health as well as your personal health
The new year is the perfect time to spring clean your finances, says David Haughton of Lovewell Blake Financial Planning.

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?
Statutory Sick Pay is currently £116.75 per week.

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

Did you know: that since 2015, ‘pensions freedoms’ allow you to access your pension pot from age 55?
You can take it as a lump sum, drawdown regular amounts or buy a fixed income with an annuity.

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

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

Did you know: that only about 35% of UK adults have life insurance, despite its importance in providing for their families?
There are two main reasons that people take out life insurance cover – but many should be considering it for other purposes.

More investors looking at benefits of EIS and VCT investing
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.

The additional benefits of EIS and VCT investing
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!

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?
When should you start saving for your retirement?

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

Securing your family's financial future is the best gift you can give this Christmas
The festive season is an excellent time to combine seasonal generosity with some inheritance tax planning.

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

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

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

Did you know: that contributions to your pension can receive tax relief?
Everyone wants to pay less tax, and everyone likes a bonus – and saving in a pension meets both those aspirations.

Are you aware of where all your pensions are?
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!

Could you be missing out on State Pension payments?
Thousands of people are missing Home Responsibilities Protection from their NI record.

‘A step in the right direction’ towards monitoring the performance of workplace pensions
Stephen Metcalf of Lovewell Blake Financial Planning welcomes a new FCA framework which will assess the performance of workplace defined contribution pension schemes.

‘All you need to know about pensions in 20 minutes’: financial planning firm offers free online webinars as part of pension awareness week
One-to-one pension review appointments also on offer.

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

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

New tax year, new ISA allowance
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.

Is it time to simplify your financial life?
Consolidating your investments with one adviser or financial manager brings a number of advantages, says Stephen Metcalf of Lovewell Blake Financial Planning.
Two new directors appointed to Lovewell Blake Financial Planning
Lovewell Blake Financial Planning, the financial planning division of Lovewell Blake, has announced that Stephen Metcalf and Scott Hansell have been appointed directors.
Why asset diversification matters for investors
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.

Overcome those investment jitters to take advantage of a good time to invest
Being nervous about market volatility shouldn’t be a reason not to invest, says.

Personal cashflow - Taking the whole life view
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.

Everything you need to know about workplace pensions
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.

Everything you need to know about NHS Pensions
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.

Cashflow - Time to retire
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.

Cashflow - Joe, Jessie and Johnnie
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.

Does your business have a will?
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.

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

Cashflow - Facing up to the consequence of illness
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.
Cashflow - It's not just for business
The rise of personal cashflow planning

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

10 things to do once you are retired
Yesterday, you were busy working and today you are retired, what’s next?

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

Changes to the Lifetime Allowance and Pension Death Benefits
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.

Good Money Week 2023
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.

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

Is it too early/late to start investing in a pension?
For some, retirement might feel miles off, but the sooner you can start saving for it, the better.

Retirement - An emotional journey?
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.

Is orange the new green? For investors, not yet
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.

Annuities offering attractive returns for retirees
Soaring rates are bringing annuities back into fashion, says Richard Ince of Lovewell Blake Financial Planning.

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

Income Protection
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?

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

Capital Gains Tax changes – A summary
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.

Understanding Inheritance Tax
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.

NHS Pension Retirement Flexibilities
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

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

Billions in lost pensions
National Pension Tracing Day, 30th October 2022.

When is it best for me to retire?
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.

How can you teach teens about money?
It’s never too early to start teaching young people about money, says Trazer Farnese of Lovewell Blake Financial Planning.

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

What is an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF)?
Diversification is of paramount importance in investment success, and one way to achieve it is by buying ‘Exchange Traded Funds’, or ETFs

Pension contributions and corporate tax relief
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.

Understanding 'Pension Freedoms'
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.

What is Inheritance Tax?
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.

What is pension tax relief?
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.

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

UK Pension Guide
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.

When can I retire?
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.

Changes to pension access
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.

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

Introduction to active and passive investment management
A tracker fund is a simple way of investing your money in company shares, bonds, and other assets.

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