One Social Media Platform in particular is being warned of investment scams being promoted on their sites with victims losing a total of £3 million since October 2018. Action Fraud issued the warning, after receiving 356 reports of fraud targeting Instagram Users, reporting the average loss to be £8,900.

Most people would like to retire in their early sixties (or before) whilst they are still fit and healthy to enjoy themselves, but not all have made adequate provisions to do so and many feel that they will need to continue working past their preferred retirement age.

As we gradually age, become more wiser and enjoy a well earned rest from working, our attention turns to later life and how to ensure we receive appropriate support and care should it be required. According to Alzheimer’s Research UK’s 2015 analysis report 1 in 3 people born in the UK from 2015 will develop dementia, which is a worrying statistic.

The tax year end is fast approaching and you only have until 5 April to make the most of your allowances in the current year before they are lost. If you have not yet considered investing in an ISA, maximising Pension contributions or made use of your Personal Allowance and Capital Gains Tax Allowance, now is the time to do so before it is too late.

The pension freedoms have increased the allure of early retirement for many savers who have now been given greater control over how to spend their pot. Many would like to retire early and do something adventurous whilst they are still in good health. Does this sound like you?

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Figures released by the Equity Release Council (which represents 95% of the equity release market) show that older homeowners unlocked £3.94 billion of property wealth in 2018 up 29% year on year. The market saw 46,000 new customers in 2018, an increase of 25% on 2017. The number of returning pension drawdown customers was also up 27% in 2018.

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Sadly, we still live in a world where there are people who do take advantage of the vulnerable for their own financial gain. Our financial regulator the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) who monitor ourselves and over 58,000 financial services firms and financial markets in the UK, confirm that they have seen a five-fold rise in the number of people seeking advice about pension scams, since the launch of their recent collaboration with the Pensions Regulator. Victims of pensions scams according to the Financial Reporter have lost an average of £91,000 each to fraudsters.

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Research undertaken by the European Securities and Markets Authority found that in the period from 2015 to 2017, on average, costs accounted for 25% of gross returns from retail funds. The study showed the impact of charges varies significantly across asset classes.

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The New Year sees many resolutions being made, and whilst for many these revolve around improving health, for others the aim may be to save for a deposit on their first house or a wedding.

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Happy New Year! As the memories of 2018 fade into the distance, our thoughts turn to what is to come in 2019. The markets have been volatile over the past year as a result of the Brexit complications with the FTSE All Share index falling by over 14% from its highest point in May, compared to its lowest point in December. We have also seen the bubble burst for the over hyped Bitcoin falling over 74% over the twelve month period. Whilst the markets have fallen (which is the nature of stock market linked investments), it is not all doom and gloom as the lower prices enable investors to buy in at a more competitive price and will hopefully reap the returns when the markets recover. However, we will have to wait and see what’s in store for 2019.