Q. I am about to start contributing to a personal pension fund and have been through a process to assess both how much risk I need to take with my investment as well as how much risk I will be able to tolerate on an ongoing basis. Whilst I am comfortable investing 70-80% of the equity [...]
Emerging Market / Pacific Rim Investing – Which Fund Should I Choose? – Hot Topics Q & A
August 27, 2010 By
Personal Pension or Individual Savings Account? – Hot Topics Q & A
July 29, 2010 By
Q. I am looking to invest a lump sum, as well as a regular amount each month. I can’t decide whether to choose an equities based Individual Savings Account (ISA) or a Personal Pension. Which do you think is best? A. It’s fair to say we’ve been asked this question a few times over the years! As [...]
Pensioners Concern By Change In Inflation Rules – Hot Topics Q & A
July 20, 2010 By
Q. I know that there is going to be a review of all public sector pensions, including the NHS scheme that I am a member of, but have I heard it right that the government have already announced that any pension inflation increases are going to be linked to a different index than the Retail [...]
Investing Your Capital, Portfolio vs Single Stocks – Hot Topics Q & A
July 10, 2010 By
Q. As an investor over many years, I have always had a liking for oil shares. As a result of this I have done very well over the last 15 years, and have built up a large portfolio of shares in BP and Shell. Needless to say, I have viewed the recent BP problems with considerable unease, [...]
Deed of Variation – Distributing The Estate
June 29, 2010 By
Q. I have heard of a Deed of Variation, can you please explain more? A. This is a mechanism that is mainly used by those who want to redirect an inheritance in order to achieve inheritance tax savings. Usually, inherited assets would accumulate within the taxable estate of the receiving beneficiary who may not want [...]
Interest Rates – Will They Increase? – Hot Topics Q & A
May 29, 2010 By
Q. I know we hear about doom and gloom with the credit crunch and stock market falls, but I consider myself very lucky. I took out a large mortgage some 10 years ago, and to begin with found it a bit of a struggle, what with school fees and so on. Now though, the children [...]
Alternative Investment – Your Non-’Mainstream’ Options – Hot Topics Q & A
May 10, 2010 By
Q. What things can I do to make best use of tax planning. I already pay into Venture Capital Trusts, stakeholder pensions, have ISAs. Are there any other similar schemes to think about? A. Thanks for the question. One important point to mention is that whenever you are considering investing you should look beyond the [...]
Investment Costs – Are They That Important When I Invest? – Hot Topics Q & A
May 2, 2010 By
Q. I am a Consultant in my late 40s and have a number of stock market investments worth around £200k. I keep reading about how high costs can eat into my retirement pot, and I know I should check, but find it a hassle to look at this. How easy is it to check this [...]
Tax Avoidance Schemes, Are They Legitimate? – Hot Topics Q & A
April 22, 2010 By
Q. I’ve been approached by a firm that claims it can reduce my tax liabilities substantially via a tax avoidance scheme that they are promoting. They want me to invest a sizeable amount and in return my income tax bill will reduce substantially. I have to admit that I’m a little wary of their approach. [...]
Inheritance Tax & Personal Pensions – Hot Topics Q & A
March 28, 2010 By
Q. I am a married 51 year old surgeon, and have several large pension funds which have built up over many years, with a combined value of around £400k. I dont intend to cash in my pensions until age 60 plus, and have recently turned my attention to the subject of Inheritance Tax. Our estate [...]
