Category: Financial Planning
Income Tax – The personal allowance is reduced by £1 for every £2 of income above £100,000 * Consider transferring income yielding assets to a spouse or civil partner to maximise your allowances. Capital Gains Tax – The annual exemption for 2019/20 is £12,000 * Married couples and civil partners can consider transferring assets to… 
Whenever we are in market conditions such as those affected by Brexit, it is sensible to review the balance of our investment portfolios – and to assess our income and capital needs over the next few years. For example, looking at asset allocations, many balanced portfolios contain holdings in property funds when appropriate. While such…
The Romans dedicated January to their god Janus – god of Endings, Transitions, and new Beginnings. He is depicted with two faces since he looks back to learn from the past and the year that has just ended (Endings) and, having taken stock (Transitions), he looks forward to the next year (new Beginnings). We would…
In the UK, we are faced with the challenge of an ageing population. Many of us will live longer than we might have expected. Already, 2.4% of the population is aged over 85. Because of improvements in healthcare and nutrition, this figure only looks set to rise. The Office of National Statistics currently estimates that…
With the Royal Wedding only a few days away, we want to enter into the spirit of this wonderful event and, in doing so, are prompted to reflect on the financial advantages (well, we would wouldn’t we!) of saying ‘I do’ … A marriage or civil partnership can be a beautiful union of minds and…
This Focus is necessarily somewhat longer than usual. It holds a very important message for anyone who is a member of a pension scheme. It is based on our understanding of taxation matters that involve quite complex rules. Money Purchase Pension Schemes – Death Benefits As discussed in our October 2017 Focus (recent Focuses can…
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) recently confirmed that inflation calculated by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose from 1.8% in January to 2.3% in February, a figure above both the Bank of England’s own target of 2% and the figure of 2.2% predicted by many financial commentators. This rise will obviously have an impact…
The pensions lifetime allowance (LTA), the amount savers can place in their pension pot and still claim tax relief, is now down to £1m – down from £1.8m when it was set just five years ago in 2011-12. Any savings in excess of the LTA will potentially attract tax at 55%! So is it the…
Following the Bank of England’s decision to cut interest rates to a record low of 0.25% at the beginning of August and the initial reaction to that from within the financial sector, the resultant effects continue to be felt over a month later. Cash savings accounts have been hit the hardest, with some banks making…
Financial Planning Berkshire: With its head office in Newbury Berkshire, Barry Fleming & Partners has grown from a tax advisory background into a broader business that encompasses investment management. Both things matter for wealth management, retention and creation. That expertise makes the company strikingly different from others. This capability allows Barry Fleming and Partners…