Tweet Q. I have read in the press that the number of Financial Advisers was set to fall when the new rules on professionalism and fees came in this January. Has this actually happened, and if so why? A. This was indeed widely predicted, and yes in practice if you look at the latest figures from [...]
NHS Pension Contribution Rates 2013/14 – What Are They? – Hot Topics Q & A
Tweet Q. Can you please clarify what I will be asked to pay into the NHS Pension Scheme from April 2013 as I am aware that the contribution percentages are increasing for members? A. Yes, you’re correct. You will need to pay more to be a member of the scheme. Whilst not great news, it’s still an [...]
Personal Pension Funds – How Should I Take The Benefits? – Hot Topics Q & A
Tweet Q. I have invested diligently over many years to maximise my eligibility to personal pensions and have consequently invested 20-30% of my private earnings in the majority of tax years. This has resulted in me accruing funds worth around £300,000. As I am approaching retirement, I asked my financial adviser to find out what sort of pension I could expect. [...]
Why Are Cash Deposit Rates Falling? – Hot Topics Q & A
Tweet Q. As I am one of the ‘risk averse’, I keep a lot of my money in cash deposit accounts and constantly look for the best rates in the market. Why is it that rates have dropped quite a bit recently? I used to simply use instant access accounts that gave me around 3% gross, but now struggle to [...]
The Truth Behind The Headlines – Hot Topics Q & A
Tweet Q. When reading the financial press I find it difficult to find the good news stories amongst the doom and gloom stories. Can you give me any recent examples of good news financial stories? A. Bad news sells. It sells because fear is a more powerful emotion than greed. Newspaper editors know that, which is why [...]
NS&I & New Exit Penalties – Hot Topics Q & A
Tweet Q. I have heard that the National Savings have brought in new penalties if you withdraw your money on existing certificates. I purchased the popular Index Linked product last year. Will I be affected? A. This inflation linked product proved to be very popular indeed, selling out quite quickly. Yes, this is one of the certificates that [...]
NHS Pension Commutation – A Better Option Than Pension Income? – Hot Topics Q & A
Past Performance – Useful or Not? – Hot Topics Q & A
Commercial Property – Stick or Twist? – Hot Topics Q & A
Tweet Q. In my investment portfolio I have 10% of my money invested in 2 commercial property funds. As I am due to review the portfolio, do you think I should continue to hold these funds? My objective is capital growth for the next 10 years or so. A. On 29 February IPD (Investment Property Databank) published its annual numbers [...]
NS&I Premium Bonds Myths – Hot Topics Q & A
Tweet Q. As interest rates on deposit accounts are so low, I am tempted to simply buy Premium Bonds instead. However, a colleague insists they are not worth it as he has held £1,000 worth for years and has never won anything! You also hear stories like ‘you only win if you constantly sell and buy bonds’. Do [...]



