News
Welcome to Watson Buckle Wealth Management - May 2012
The better care you take of your money now, the better it will be able to take care of you in the future, so it always pays to seek expert advice.
The benefits of relevant life policies - May 2012
While death in service schemes are no longer subject to an earnings cap or limit on the level of cover, there are other potential pitfalls for high earners and small businesses.
MIP cap could boost EIS and VCT popularity - May 2012
In his latest Budget, Chancellor George Osborne announced a contribution limit for maximum investment plans (MIPs) which will come into force from April 2013.
Government consults on perpetual gilts - April 2012
In his latest Budget, Chancellor George Osborne announced that the Debt Management Office (DMO) would consult in 2012-13 on the viability of launching perpetual gilts – something “Britain last felt able to issue six decades ago”.
MIP cap likely to boost EIS and VCT investment - April 2012
According to the Prudential, the enterprise investment scheme (EIS) and venture capital trusts (VCTs) are set to become more popular with high net worth individuals following the introduction of a cap on payments to maximum investment plans (MIPs) in the Budget.
Fixed protection threatened by life insurance issues - April 2012
With the lifetime allowance for pension contributions decreasing to £1.5 million from 6th April, those individuals who expect their pension fund to be in excess of the new limit have been able to apply for fixed protection.
QROPS face tougher requirements - February 2012
A number of Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes (QROPS) may lose their status following the expected legislative changes on 6th April 2012.
Investment in property boosted by struggling euro - February 2012
Individuals looking to invest in property within eurozone countries have been given a boost by the recent strong performance of sterling.
Simplifying drawdown reviews - February 2012
While the introduction of capped drawdown has enabled individuals to decide how much to withdraw from their pension, subject to annual limits, investors aged 75 and over are required to have a yearly review to ensure sufficient funds remain.
Savers can reinvest lost ISA funds - January 2012
The Treasury has announced new rules to protect savers who have invested in an ISA with a financial institution which subsequently collapses.
HSBC fined for mis-selling of investment products - January 2012
The selling of unsuitable investment products to elderly customers by HSBC subsidiary NHFA Limited has resulted in the banking giant being fined a record £10.5 million by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).
Government considers unfreezing expat pensions - January 2012
According to the International Consortium of British Pensioners (ICBP), the government has set up a working group to investigate the possibility of unfreezing the state pensions of around half a million UK pensioners who currently live overseas.
Small businesses lack insurance for key personnel - December 2011
According to the Scottish Widows Business Protection Report, nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of small, family businesses in the UK have at least one key member of staff whose loss through death, critical illness or serious accident would affect the survival of the business.
Dedicated pension advice for expatriates - December 2011
Individuals who are looking to move abroad may be considering transferring their UK pension to one of the Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes (QROPS) recognised by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
Ensuring your pension changes with the times - December 2011
While changes to the pension legislation removed the requirement to purchase an annuity by the age of 75 and introduced two variants of the income drawdown scheme – capped and flexible drawdown – individuals may need to change provider in order to make the most these opportunities.
TLPIs deemed too risky for the UK market - December 2011
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is set to consult on a ban on traded life settlement policies (TLPIs) in 2012 as it feels they are too high risk and should not be promoted to UK investors.
FSA consults on new rules for packaged accounts - November 2011
Following an investigation, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) has proposed a series of checks to ensure that only individuals who qualify for the included insurance cover will be offered packaged accounts.
Making the most of pension drawdown - November 2011
Following the introduction of a number of reforms to the pension regulations this April, it is no longer compulsory to buy an annuity by the age of 75, which means that individuals can stay in drawdown until their death. Furthermore, savers now have a choice of capped or flexible drawdown, depending upon their annual income.
Junior ISAs face setbacks - November 2011
According to research by investment firm JP Morgan Asset Management, 36 percent of parents with offspring under the age of 18 are likely to take out a Junior ISA following their launch on 1st November.
Shares outperform property as long-term investment - October 2011
According to research by Bestinvest, shareholders have seen a better return on investment over the last 25 years than those who chose to invest in a second property.
PPI compensation soars in first half of 2011 - October 2011
With millions of customers looking to reclaim their money for mis-sold Payment Protection Insurance (PPI), figures from the Financial Services Authority (FSA) show that £215 million of compensation was paid out during the first six months of 2011.
HMRC targets beneficial ownership structures - October 2011
While non-doms are not required to pay income or capital gains tax on their overseas investments, any money received from property within the UK is taxable.
NS&I withdraw certificates from sale - October 2011
Despite the Treasury giving National Savings and Investments (NS&I) a more generous financing target in the last Budget, the organisation has been forced to withdraw its fixed interest and index-linked savings certificates from sale due to significant interest from investors.
Junior ISA limit increased - September 2011
When Junior ISAs are introduced on 1st November, a new annual investment limit of £3,600 in cash or stocks and shares will apply until 5th April 2013. After that, the limit will be updated each year, based on the Consumer Prices Index.
Stock market investments: stick or bust? - September 2011
When every day brings further fluctuations in the financial markets, it can be hard for investors to decide whether to up sticks and sell their shares or to hold firm and wait for more stable times.
Economic pressures squash the saving habit - August 2011
According to the latest research by National Savings and Investments (NS&I), many individuals are currently unable to build up their savings. Indeed, six million people have no savings, while a third of the population is no longer financially equipped to deal with an emergency.
UK no longer the investment capital of Europe - August 2011
Since the financial crisis began in 2007, plummeting flows of capital into and out of the UK have seen it lose its coveted status as the investment capital of Europe.
Don’t bear the brunt of inflation - August 2011
As data from FE Analytics shows that 52 percent of absolute return funds failed to beat inflation, it proves how hard it can be to find investments which are truly inflation-proof.
Let the taxman help you – not himself - July 2011
If you are a director of your own company and pay for your own life cover, you could find getting your company to pay could save you a lot of money.
British banks behind global counterparts - July 2011
The UK’s banks are now the fifth most profitable in the world, a drop from their lofty second place of just four years ago. The industry now lags behind those of China, Japan and France, as well as the world leader, the US.
Redundancy threatens late pension surge - July 2011
Research by HSBC has shown that substantial numbers of employees in the UK are part of the ‘Ostrich Generation’, who refuse to undertake any financial planning for their retirement.
Tougher regulation for financial institutions - July 2011
With the Financial Services Authority (FSA) set to be replaced by two successor bodies in 2012, “tougher and bolder” regulations are set to come into force.
French tax changes likely to impact on investors - June 2011
British individuals who have invested in property in France could be affected by changes to the country’s tax laws once the latest Budget has been debated in parliament.
Early access to pensions under fire - June 2011
As research by HSBC shows that only 39 percent of UK residents have a plan for their retirement, the government has decided to reject proposals which would have enabled individuals to access their pensions from the age of 30.
Art proves to be a picture-perfect investment - June 2011
As interest rates remain low and savers receive minimal returns from traditional products, they are turning to other forms of investment in order to make the most of their money.
Banks required to pay PPI compensation - May 2011
The High Court has paved the way for large numbers of compensation claims from individuals who were mis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI), in a move which could cost Britain’s banks as much as £4.5 billion.
Savers benefit from new NS&I certificates - May 2011
Investors looking for the potentially higher returns of index-linked products have been given a boost with the news that National Savings and Investments (NS&I) is set to resume sales of its saving certificates later this year.
Junior ISAs available from November - May 2011
The government has announced the start date for its new tax-free savings account for children.
New European financial watchdogs confirmed- October 2010
The European Parliament has ratified new legislation for the creation of financial watchdogs, in an attempt to prevent future banking crises.
Greater protection for savers - October 2010
Proposals which would enable savers to receive greater compensation if their banks collapsed are set to come into force from 31st December 2010, following new European legislation.
Many retirees miss out on annuity boost - October 2010
With over 1,500 conditions counting towards an enhanced or impaired life annuity, the General Lifestyle Survey by Just Retirement has found that around 60 percent of those who retire when they reach 60 could qualify.
Obama and Cameron back BP - July 2010
As the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has more than halved the price of BP shares and forced the company to suspend dividends until at least the end of the year, there have been fears that BP will never recover from the disaster.
Prudential moves to reassure investors - July 2010
With the collapsed deal to buy Asian insurer AIA set to cost Prudential £450 million, the company has taken measures to reassure investors.
Watson Buckle Wealth Management Limited is registered in England and Wales No: 06718582. Registered Office:York House, Cottingley Business Park, Bradford BD16 1PE.
Watson Buckle Wealth Management Limited is an Appointed Representative of Harrogate Financial Solutions Limited, 14 Crown House, Hornbeam Square North,Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG2 8PB which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
