Weekly Columns Archives - Page 3 of 22 - Philip J Milton & Company Plc

Where there’s a Will – make sure it’s done the right way

Disputes over the validity of Wills and quarrels over the inheritance of estates are as old as the hills and no doubt ancient civilisations had very similar problems – though their solution was probably somewhat blunter than we are used to! We’ve visited the topic before, but it was an eye opener recently to hear...

Regulation is well-intended but is it pushing some advisors to the brink?

People do not necessarily consider financial services from the other side of the desk – and of course, why should they? They turn up at the office of an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) seeking advice and answers for their specific situation. But we thought it might be helpful to share some insights into the effects...

Half of those who withdraw from their pension ‘take no advice’

We’ve said it before, but would you attempt to remove the engine from your car if you weren’t a skilled mechanic? Or perhaps fix your plumbing pipework without any practical plumbing skills? No you wouldn’t. Even if you watched YouTube videos and read online ‘how to’ guides, you would not be as informed or skilled...

Please think twice and don’t become a scam victim

There is more to being a wealth management service than looking after clients’ pension pots or seeking good investment opportunities on their behalf. Many times over the years we have been in business, we have found that we are a crucial barrier to our clients being scammed. ‘Of course that won’t be me!’ exclaims the reader,...

Can you manage your own investments?

It may sound a good idea to save some money and manage your own investments – why pay ‘all those fees’ for experts when you can do it yourself? Those sentiments can often come back to haunt DIY plumbers or ‘home car mechanics’, who may end up with a worse mess than the initial problem! So,...

Why do some pension transfers take so long? Blame the ‘sludge’!

Clients often come to us wishing to transfer pension funds from previous employment into one consolidated pot so they can better manage their retirement fund – but the process can at times be a long one due to ‘red tape’. Anti-scam regulations – quite rightly there to protect people – can slow the transfer down...

Inheritance Tax revenue soars – but will it affect you?

The last financial year saw a record £7.5billion collected in Inheritance Tax (IHT) – and it is predicted to hit £10bn by the end of the decade. The numbers from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has shown that IHT receipts increased by £400m year-on-year, after £7.1bn was collected in 2022/23. This really should come as no...

Are your retirement finances what you hoped for?

A recent survey has found ‘retirees’ have around £131,000 in pension savings – half of what they had hoped for. The research by Standard Life found that pensioners-to-be had aimed for at least £250,000 in their pension pot, but the actual amount meant they were some £480 a month worse off in retirement. The Firm’s ‘retirement...

Two million ‘face debt’ after self-assessment tax returns

An unpleasant surprise often awaits people doing their self-assessment tax return for the first time – and a recent study shows many end up in debt as a result. The self-assessment deadline of January 31 is now past of course, but analysis by Royal London has shown that up to two million people could resort...

Are you confident about your retirement plan?

A recent study by Standard Life has shown that less than one in 10 of those aged over 65 feel confident about managing their retirement finances. Retirement is of course an uncertain time for many people, whether financially or simply the trepidation of entering the unknown and perhaps not knowing how you might spend your...

Where there’s a Will – make sure it’s done the right way

Regulation is well-intended but is it pushing some advisors to the brink?

Half of those who withdraw from their pension ‘take no advice’

Please think twice and don’t become a scam victim

Can you manage your own investments?

Why do some pension transfers take so long? Blame the ‘sludge’!

Inheritance Tax revenue soars – but will it affect you?

Are your retirement finances what you hoped for?

Two million ‘face debt’ after self-assessment tax returns

Are you confident about your retirement plan?

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Philip J Milton & Company Plc

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