These articles help you understand your financial needs and aspirations
Welcome to our latest issue. On 30 October, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will deliver the Autumn Budget Statement 2024. It will be a critical indicator of the government's approach to managing the economy, aiming to foster an environment conducive to sustainable growth. The outcomes of this Autumn Budget will have far-reaching implications, potentially influencing everything from tax rates and public services to business investment and consumer confidence. As such, it is a pivotal moment that will shape the economic landscape in the months and years ahead. On page 10, we look at what it could mean for your finances.
Could you have been underpaid the State Pension?
HMRC estimates that affected women could be owed an average of £5,000 each
Pension scams on the rise
Protect your savings! 7.3 million UK adults encountered an attempted scam in the past year
Navigating the complexities of inheritance
Should you consider estate planning and gifting for future generations?
Mastering financial planning
Essential tips for mothers balancing family and finances
Autumn Budget Statement 2024
What it could mean for your finances
Time to revisit your retirement plan?
Helping you feel more prepared for this stage of your life
The middle-aged squeeze
Juggling careers, family care and financial pressure amid rising costs and wealth transfers
The cost of early withdrawal from your pension
How retirees are impacting their financial future by accessing pension pots too soon
Rising demand for health cover
Grappling with a workforce sickness epidemic and long NHS waiting times
Building wealth and achieving financial goals
Aligning investments with risk tolerance and capacity
The future of retirement
Experiences of the past and potential future scenarios
The Great Unretirement
Contemplating a return to work after a significant absence or considering a phased return?
Sandwich generation
Two-thirds of people in the UK will care for a loved one at some point
Take your pension to the max
Do you have potential shortfalls and need to address these gaps?
Empowered savers
How to make future aspirations more attainable and less stressful
Shaping a sustainable future
The imperative of collective action and responsible investment
New study uncovers financial vulnerability in five million UK households
Delayed life milestones and lack of planning pose significant risks
Redundancy and your pension
Understanding your workplace pension options to navigate your next steps confidently
Have you secured your legacy?
The vital role of Wills in estate planning
Should you use your pension lump sum to pay off your mortgage?
Essential key considerations and potential pitfalls you need to know
The retirement gap
Why UK retirees are working seven years longer than planned
The rise of remote work and moving abroad
Becoming a UK expat can mark the start of an exciting chapter, but what about your pension?
Our detailed Guide to Autumn Statement 2023 looks at these key announcements.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, unveiled his 2023 Autumn Statement on Wednesday 22 November, alongside an updated economic forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility.
The Statement was centred around ‘growth’, with Mr Hunt leveraging increased tax receipts from a stronger-than-anticipated economy to fund 110 growth-promoting initiatives. Mr Hunt said the government had taken difficult decisions to put the economy back on track and halve inflation, but ‘the work is not done’. He said his priorities are to avoid big government spending and high taxes and instead cut taxes and ‘reward hard work’.
Among the highlights were significant changes aimed at enhancing earnings. Mr Hunt's drive to 'make work pay' materialised through reductions to National Insurance for both employees and the self-employed, coupled with an uplift in the National Living Wage.
Additionally, Mr Hunt announced the permanent establishment of the 'full expensing' capital allowance, reforms to the R&D tax credit and increased business rates support for smaller enterprises. These measures are expected to bolster innovation and provide much-needed relief for small businesses.
Welcome to our November/December 2023 edition. As you sail into your 50s, it becomes pivotal to consider your financial strategy. Life has likely found a steady rhythm by now. Children have probably taken flight, becoming financially self-sufficient, and the idea of reducing work hours or even retiring completely starts to surface. Each person's life journey is unique and has different resources and challenges. However, there are shared goals and steps that one can take during this stage. On page 09, we consider how knowing where to begin can be daunting, whether you aim to maximise your earnings or lay down a robust financial plan.
Welcome to our latest November/December 2023 edition.
Articles featured in this issue:
Taxing times for 2023
A year marked by several tax changes that impacted higher rate taxpayers
Strategies to minimise retirement tax
Many pensioners may face a lurking tax risk as the State Pension grows
Decoding auto-enrolment
Good news on the horizon for future retirees
A crucial decade: financial planning in your 50s
Maximising your earnings or laying down a robust financial plan
Journey to monetary autonomy
Optimising your finances and formulating an all-encompassing wealth plan for the future
‘Time in the market’, not ‘timing the market’
The allure of quick profits and instant gratification
Weathering the inflation storm
Is it time to diversify your portfolio?
High costs of private education
The significant decision of choosing a private school for children
Aspiring towards retirement
Why many people experience a mixed bag of emotions on the subject
A timely proposition
Considering gilts for your investment portfolio?
The Family Bank
Planning to aid the next generation
Mind the retirement gap
Crisis looming over today's youth
Financial planning
A personal journey tailored to your unique financial situation and aspirations
Positive impact on financial wellbeing
Improving your overall life satisfaction and happiness
Navigating multiple pensions
Simplifying financial management, lowering charges and increasing future funds
The reality of retirement
Are you sure your target retirement age aligns with your financial status?
Taking the first step
Introduction to investing for beginners
Inflation and your retirement income
Several strategies to lessen its impact on retirees
The gender divide
Reflecting on 75 years of State Pensions
Fixed-income investments
Providing significant value in a diversified investment portfolio
Immediate gains, long-term losses
The high price of halting pension contributions
In this issue, a comfortable retirement is a common financial goal, and contributing to a pension is essential to achieving it. Although retirement may appear distant at the moment, there's much to consider. Let us assist you in navigating this crucial life milestone. By planning ahead and making smart decisions about your savings, you can ensure a stable and enjoyable retirement. On page 12, we consider what steps will help you get pension retirement ready.
Normal Minimum Pension Age update
Essential information for your retirement planning
10 reasons to get your tax return filed now
British workers overpay £8.2bn in tax due to wrong codes
Maximising your investments in your 50s
Time to evaluate whether you need to modify your objectives or saving strategies?
Responsible asset selection
Supporting responsible practices and contributing to a sustainable future
Getting retirement ready
Key steps to achieving a comfortable retirement
Tax relief matters
How to build a bigger pension pot
Building a diversified portfolio
What is it, and why is it important?
Are we entering an investment bond renaissance?
Exploring why they are an attractive option to mass-affluent investors
How to invest after retirement
Ensure your wealth is preserved for future generations
Protecting your children and securing their future
Our health, an invaluable asset, is often overlooked or taken for granted
Lump sum vs regular contributions!
Choosing the right pension payment strategy
Using your inheritance effectively
Making informed decisions about managing the funds wisely
The importance of understanding tax-free pension withdrawals
Many over-55s are unaware that they can access 25% of their pension pot tax-free
The Gender Pension Gap issue
73% of women make only minimum pension contributions, compared to 58% of men
Price of adulthood
Financial responsibilities increase significantly after 25
Saving for retirement
A decade-by-decade guide
Bonds vs equities
Where should income-seekers turn?
Should I delay my retirement?
Delaying retirement could boost your chances of a secure financial future
Investing mistakes to avoid
Errors can have long-lasting consequences, setting you back financially
Hidden impact of inflation on savings
A closer look at a financial understanding among Britons
Adjusting your investment portfolio with age
Is your asset allocation aligned with your risk tolerance?
Guide to the Spring Budget Statement 2023
On Wednesday 15 March, Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, addressed the Commons to deliver the Spring Budget 2023, with an aim to bring people back into the workforce. Mr Hunt commented that the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) expects inflation to fall from 10.7% to 2.9% by the end of 2023.
The Chancellor said the OBR now forecasts the UK will not enter a technical recession this year. But despite narrowly avoiding recession, living standards are still predicted to fall by 6% within this fiscal year and the next.
Key budget announcements included the abolishing of the Lifetime Allowance on tax-free pension contributions, which was previously set at £1,073,100. The tax-free annual pension allowance for pension pots will also rise from £40,000 to £60,000 from 6 April 2023.
Working parents in England are to receive 30 hours of free childcare per week, though this won't be fully implemented until 2025. It will be phased in for households where the parent or parents work: April 2024: Eligible two-year-olds will get 15 hours of free childcare per week; September 2024: Eligible children between nine months and two years will get 15 hours; and September 2025: Eligible children between nine months and three years will get 30 hours.
Fuel duty has been frozen again whilst help with energy bills will remain for an extra three months and disabled people can apply for up to 50,000 places on a new voluntary employment scheme funded by the government. The Chancellor also confirmed that Corporation Tax will rise from 19% to 25% in April.
What does the Spring Budget Statement 2023 mean for you, your family and business?
In our guide to the Spring Budget Statement 2023, we look at the key announcements from Jeremy Hunt's speech. If you require any further assistance or would like to discuss your situation, please contact us
Protect yourself, your family and your future
As another tax year end approaches, it’s important to finalise your 2021/22 tax planning to reduce your obligations wherever possible.
The current tax year started on 6 April 2021 and ends on 5 April 2022.
Reviewing your tax affairs now will enable you to make the most of any allowable deductions and strategies available to minimise or mitigate a potential tax burden.
Identifying any tax planning opportunities
Check your PAYE tax code
Transfer part of your personal allowance
Contribtue up to £9,000 into your Child's Junior ISA
Utilise Capital Losses
Maximise Pension Contributions
Pay Pension Contributions to save NICs
Make a Will
Leave some of your estate to charity
Make regular IHT Free Gifts
Use the IHT Marriage Exemption
Disclaimer: Any advice provided to you by City Capital Financial Planning LLP (CCFP) will be strictly an individual arrangement between yourself and CCFP. Bar Council will not be liable for that advice under any circumstance. It is up to you as an individual to be satisfied that the advice you receive is appropriate for you given your particular circumstances.
City Capital Financial Planning LLP is an Appointed Representative of ValidPath Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under FRN 197107.
The information and content of this website is subject to the UK regulatory regime and is intended for UK consumers only. The FCA does not regulate some forms of mortgages and tax planning advice.
City Capital Financial Planning LLP. Suite 3.20, 3rd Floor, 1-2 Paris Gardens, Southwark London SE1 8ND. Registration no. OC369699.
