Swetha Smith

Guaranteed Annuity Rates

Many older pension plans come with guaranteed annuity rates. These need to be thoroughly investigated. Over the years the rules on the guarantees can change and you need to make sure that the guaranteed rate is the right one for you. For example some g... Read >

Cashflow Forecasting

Cashflow Forecasting: Glorious Sunshine or Storms? Everybody should before retirement do some kind of cashflow forecast. This will simply look at the funds that you have now, what income you could have in retirement and when your funds will run out. Th... Read >

All About Annuities

An annuity is simply an exchange of a lump sum in return for a guaranteed taxable income. There are many different types of these annuities: * Compulsory purchase annuity * Open market option annuity * Enhanced annuity * With profit ... Read >

Good News in Divorce

A recent update to the legislation on pensions and divorce came into effect on the 6th April regarding the safeguarded rights". "Safeguarded rights" arise when a couple divorce and someone is awarded a pension credit which contains "protected rights". "Pr... Read >

New Rules on

The triviality rules, in force since 6 April 2006, allow you to cash-in small pensions. In 2009/10 you must be between 60 and 75 and the total value of all your private pensions must be under £17,500. It is not a "per pension plan" limit. Some peopl... Read >

How Long Will My Pension Last?

Anyone retiring, or being retired, will initially worry about what their retirement income will be. Generally people require more income at the outset as most people spend more money earlier in their retirement and less money later in their retirement. Th... Read >

The Long Retirement

The impossible question to answer is how long will I live for. The younger you are today the bigger the number will be. Somebody born in the last few years will be on average expected to live to 100. Even if you are approaching retirement you will still ... Read >

The Best News of 2009?

One of the great injustices for pensioners is the compulsory annuitisation of pensions at the age of 75. At present, at the age of 75 it is compulsory to convert any pension fund into an income for life. This rule was introduced when average life expect... Read >

Where Are My Pensions?

Most people dig out their pension documents just a few months before they are about to retire. This is a problem. If your pension has not performed weel you probably would not know about it until it is too late to fix it and this could cost you a lot of m... Read >

An IHT Plan Goes Badly Wrong

The following story serves as an illustration of many points to do with Inheritance Tax planning. 1. Make sure the person who does the planning is an expert. 2. Buy the product through an independent adviser. 3. Make sure trustees understand... Read >

An Inheritance Tax Trap

This article explores ways in which simple Inheritance Tax planning can come back to haunt the lives of the vulnerable elderly. The figures and names in this article have been changed. Mrs T, a 65 year old widow, wanted to reduce the impact of Inherita... Read >

Pension Change May Cause Hardship For Thousands

On 6 April 2010, the law relating to minimum retirement ages changes and the effect on some people may be devastating. Many small businesses could be put at risk. The details have received little publicity and yet thousands of people are affected. At p... Read >