Pension freedoms do not invalidate the valuable guarantees on Final Salary pensions

Over recent months we have noticed a significant increase in the number of people contacting us to discuss transferring their benefits out of Final Salary Pension Schemes, to make use of the increased flexibility available to pensions from 2015. Whilst many Final Salary schemes have in been ‘closed’ to at least some extent they generally still offer very […]

2015.03: March Economic Review

Highlights UK recovery remains strong, despite recent easing in growth, driven by increases in exports and consumer spending More needs to be done to promote business investment Bank of England expects UK economy to grow faster during 2015 UK unemployment expected to fall UK Inflation falls to all time low, and average earnings rise UK […]

How much is your bank charging you for its services?

I recently had a meeting with a client who was impressed by the attentiveness of his bank. This chap, a widower, has several hundred thousands pounds with a high street bank, is in his late 60s, and having run a business all his life, considers himself financially very aware. Over the years he has successfully fended off the bank’s attempts […]

Wingate Win Professional Adviser Awards 2015

Wingate Financial Planning were awarded the inaugural Adviser Firm of the Year (South East) trophy at the 2015 Professional Adviser Awards, which recognises excellence across adviser firms, providers, platforms and asset managers. These were our toughest awards to win yet. A total of 17 judges helped decide this year’s winners, so congratulations to all our triumphant advisers, […]

Should I fund an ISA or a Pension?

It would be fair to say that the common perception of pensions as being complicated when compared to ISAs has kept them in the doldrums, when considering whether to commit regular savings or a one off amount to either of these types of investments.  Recent changes and proposed changes mean that this investment decision may […]

The risk of pensions INflexibility from April 2015

From 6th April 2015 accessing a pension flexibly can cause an individual’s pension contribution allowances to fall from £180,000 to £10,000; we believe this will reduce choice for many. Action now can retain the higher limit and still allow flexibility when required; in many cases the ‘old’ rules will be more tax efficient than the […]

£1,500 Tax Relief for Over 60s

Those aged 60 and above could potentially make £1,500 by exploiting a loophole in the pensions rules introduced in the last Budget. People aged 60-75 can pay into a pension, obtain tax relief on the money and then withdraw the money as a single cash lump sum as long as the pension account is worth […]

2014/15 Tax Year End Planning: 5 Key Areas

Due to this year’s calendar, the planning for the end of this tax year will fall in March. Here are 5 actions individuals may wish to consider taking: ISAs From 1st July 2014 the ISA allowance increased to £15,000 per person per annum, and additionally all of this investment can be held in cash, or […]

2015.02: February Economic Review

Highlights: UK economic growth reaches seven-year high, despite slowing in Q4 Services remain the key driver of growth as construction and industrial output weakens UK inflation drops to joint record low, reinforcing the case against an early interest rate rise Prospect of increased interest rates in US Weakness in commodities could prove challenging for emerging […]

Alistair Cunningham scoops trio of plaudits

In a ceremony held in West London last night Wingate Financial Planning’s Director, and Chartered Financial Planner, Alistair Cunningham picked up a trio of plaudits: Commended: Financial Adviser of the Year 2015 Winner: Social Media Adviser of the Year 2015 Commended: At Retirement Adviser of the Year 2015 The Media Awards 2015 winners were chosen by a […]