The Class of 2022 retirement report* provides a riveting insight into the plans and thoughts of those either planning to retire this year or recent retirees, really highlighting the changing face of retirement in the UK.

The last couple of years have impacted people’s plans, with people reassessing what retirement looks like to them. Less people are giving up work entirely, choosing to adopt a more  staggered approach to retirement. Two thirds (66%) plan to continue working in some capacity during retirement; of this number some plan to move to part-time hours, others intend to
continue working for their own business, start their own new business or volunteer. Therefore, a third of retirees plan to give up work altogether, down from 44% of 2021 retirees.

Financial readiness

Confidence in financial readiness to retire has fallen, with only 25% feeling financially ready to retire, versus 30% in 2021. A key factor in this fall being the rising cost of living, with 28% of respondents unsure how Your retirement today to mitigate the impact of rising inflation on their retirement income – a prime concern for those with large cash holdings.

Pass it on

With over a half (56%) of retirees planning to pass on wealth to their loved ones, just 23% feel confident about how they will pass on any leftover assets to loved ones. Only 9% have started gifting wealth to reduce their IHT liability. Interestingly just 30% have had conversations with their partner about passing on their estate, while just 26% have spoken to their children about it.

No two retirements are the same

Retirement is a thriving new beginning to plan for. Whether you’re thinking about a gradual retirement or full retirement how do you visualise your retirement years? Have you thought about your income requirements or tax implications? Have you started a conversation with family about how you want to use your wealth to help them? Advice can help you seek clarity and
provide focus and direction.

*abrdn, 2022

Research* suggests that nearly one in five people are, or will be, financially worse off due to their divorce, and that many divorcees struggle to make ends meet after separating from their partner.

The statistics make for worrying reading. A third of divorced respondents said they were forced to take money from their savings to supplement their finances, 20% had to use credit cards
for everyday expenses, 18% borrowed from family and friends, while 15% resorted to selling their possessions to make ends meet.

Pensions are an asset

Pensions can be highly valuable assets – 42% (or £6.4tn) of UK wealth is currently held in private pensions – meaning that a pension can be a hugely important part of a divorce settlement. And yet, 15% of divorced people had no idea that their pension could be impacted by getting divorced, while 35% did not make any claim on their former spouse’s pension.

Don’t underestimate your pension

Alistair McQueen, Head of Savings & Retirement at Aviva, commented, “It’s critical that, as part of the separation process, couples take time to think about and discuss one of their single most valuable assets, their pension […] It can often be a very complex issue so, as well as hiring a family lawyer, it would be advisable for couples to contact a financial adviser to walk them through the pension valuation and financial process.”

The impact of ‘no-fault’ divorce

It has yet to be understood how the introduction of so-called ‘no-fault’ divorce in April this year might be starting to impact the way in which pensions and other assets are treated in divorce
settlements. We would always recommend speaking with a qualified financial adviser for guidance relating to the financial aspects of your divorce.

We are here to help you make some important decisions with your finances as you navigate the complexities (emotional and financial) of divorce.

*Aviva, 2022

As well as being a season of hope and renewal, spring is also viewed as the ideal time to declutter and reorganise. The last couple of years have taught us the importance of achieving balance in our lives – this extends to our finances too, making now an opportune time for investors to review and rebalance their portfolios to ensure investments remain aligned to their long-term financial goals.

Concerns surrounding inflation, rising interest rates and immense global political tensions have all combined to create a potentially disconcerting backdrop for investors during the early part of this year, as markets search for a stable footing. The good news is that many investors with long-term retirement goals tend to have time horizons that extend beyond inflationary cycles and any market volatility experienced is a normal investment phenomenon. History shows that investors who are patient and stick to their plans are more likely to achieve their financial objectives. Diversification is one strategy that withstands the test of time.

What now for the global economy?

A ‘disrupted recovery’

The current mix of uncertainties has led the International Monetary Fund* to downgrade its global growth forecast when its latest economic musings were released in January. While the international soothsayer does expect the global recovery to continue in 2022, it is predicting a ‘disrupted recovery’ with growth forecast to moderate from 5.9% in 2021 to 4.4% this year – this estimate was made prior to the Ukraine invasion, so it’s likely growth expectations will moderate further as a result.

Macro matters

Last year’s gains in growth due to rebounding activity now appear to be behind us. Although the pandemic will continue to impact growth rates, the outlook for macroeconomic policy is likely to become increasingly critical. Indeed, the path of the global economy this year looks set to be largely shaped by central bank policies, specifically, their ability to keep inflation expectations anchored while allowing a supportive environment for growth.

Time to review your portfolio

With the investment landscape undoubtedly changing, now seems an opportune time to spring clean your portfolio to ensure your investments continue to work as hard as possible for you. We can arrange a review to make sure your investment strategy is firmly aligned to your current personal circumstances and that your portfolio is well-balanced, diversified, tax-efficient and inflation-proofed where possible.

*1IMF, 2022

Keeping up to date with tax changes can be challenging and you may have missed this one in relation to the reporting of Inheritance Tax (IHT), especially as it’s not something most of us will deal with very often.

Excepted estates

The changes came in at the start of the year and apply to the estate of anyone who dies on or after 1 January 2022. Now, before you make a report to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) you need to check whether the estate is an ‘excepted estate’ to make sure you complete the right forms.

There are several reasons why an estate may now be classified as ‘excepted’:

• The estate has a value below the current IHT threshold (£325,000 for one person)

• Any unused threshold is being transferred from a spouse or civil partner who died first, and the estate is worth £650,000 or less

• The estate is worth less than £3m and the deceased left everything in their estate to their surviving spouse or civil partner who lives in the UK, or to a qualifying registered UK charity

• The estate has UK assets worth less than £150,000 and the deceased had permanently been living outside of the UK when they died.

A step-by-step guide

Further details on how to value an estate for IHT and report its value can be found here www.gov.uk/valuing-estate-of-someonewho-died/check-type-of-estate

Thinking of your own IHT planning

More people are having to pay IHT; HMRC figures show IHT receipts for the period April 2021 to January 2022 to be £5bn, which is a £700m increase on the same period one year earlier.* IHT planning is a complicated subject, but sensible financial planning can help to reduce the amount of IHT payable and safeguard your wealth for the future.

*HMRC, 2022

When are you thinking of retiring? With many pre-retirees reassessing their lives and priorities in the wake of the pandemic, there really is a seismic shift for many people towards achieving life balance. People need a plan to flex with their changing aspirations – it’s become more about living life rather than going through the motions of the daily grind.

With earlier retirement a serious consideration for many seeking balance, a quarter of Brits who aspire to retire early feel that age 60 is the optimum time to do so.*

Embracing a new lifestyle

What really makes you happy? If you’re planning to celebrate your 60th birthday by saying ‘goodbye’ to working life, it’s good to know that 68% of people report an increase in overall happiness as a result of retiring early, with 44% of early retirees reporting their family relationships improved and 34% citing improvements in their friendships. From a health perspective, 57% of early retiree respondents report a boost to their mental wellbeing, with 50% believing their physical wellbeing has improved.

Driving force

Nearly a third (32%) of people who retired early or plan to do so are driven by the desire ‘to enjoy more freedom while still being physically fit and well enough to enjoy it.’ Other factors driving people to pursue early retirement include financial security (26%), reassessing priorities and what’s important to them in life (23%), wishing to spend more time with family (20%) and finding they are either ‘tired or bored’ of working (19%). Stress is also a contributing factor that 19% of respondents are keen to eradicate.

Pause for thought

With a sizeable 24% of people returning to work after retiring because they experience financial issues, careful planning is essential. Interestingly, 47% of retirees found that their finances worsened and only 22% felt they benefited financially from their decision to retire early.

Positive steps to financial freedom

People cited steps toward making early retirement achievable like paying off a mortgage (30%), saving little and often (29%), saving extra when they receive a pay rise or bonus (19%) and receiving an inheritance (14%). We’re here to reassure you that happiness doesn’t need to come at a cost when retiring early. Although it’s very important to be realistic, with meticulous planning and careful consideration, we can assess and develop a robust plan to align and fl ex with your changing requirements and priorities.

*Aviva, Dec 2021

From many people’s perspectives, the Budget may have left a feeling that nothing much had changed in the world of personal financial planning, as there were no major changes announced to Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax or pensions. However, the key consideration is how outside factors such as higher inflation could affect your finances and what steps you should take before the end of the tax year to make the most of any allowances and exemptions.

Inheritance Tax (IHT)

Official figures from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for April to September 2021 show that IHT receipts totalled  3.1bn,  0.7bn higher than the same period in 2020. With the nil rate band and residence nil rate band now frozen until April 2026 at £325,000 and £175,000 respectively, the importance of effective estate planning shouldn’t be overlooked.

Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs)

The annual ISA limit has now been frozen at £20,000 for five years. If the allowance had increased with inflation each year since 2017, it would stand at £21,440 today, sheltering an  additional £1,440 from the taxman. JISAs celebrated their tenth birthday in November – the allowance remains at £9,000.

Dividend Tax
The government revealed in September that it would increase Dividend Tax by 1.25 percentage points from 6 April 2022 to help fund health and social care. This means investors will have to pay more on any income from shares held outside ISAs and above the £2,000 Dividend Allowance.

Pensions
The Lifetime Allowance remains at £1,073,100 and the Annual Allowance remains at £40,000. As these allowances haven’t increased with inflation, it effectively means those saving to the  maximum extent possible with tax concessions can save less in real terms each year.

Variables at play

It’s important to be aware of all the variables at play; inflation, interest rates, taxation and frozen allowances all affect your finances. Talk to us for help with your individual circumstances.

 

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a key consideration is how outside factors such as higher inflation could affect your finances and what steps you should take before the end of the tax year…

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Great expectations for the year ahead

Given the challenges of the past two years we could be forgiven for focusing on life’s trials and tribulations as a new year dawns. However, while concerns about supply chain disruption, new COVID variants and rising inflation may be disconcerting for investors, all the signs are that the coming 12 months will be a time of opportunity as well as risk, as we move towards a postpandemic future.

Recovery continues

In its final 2021 assessment of economic prospects, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted a continuation of the global recovery in 2022, with the world economy forecast to grow by 4.9% this year. The international soothsayer did, however, acknowledge that the degree of uncertainty surrounding future prospects has risen with policy choices becoming more difficult and increasingly complex.

Inflation-proof your wealth

In particular, concerns surrounding global supply chain issues and rising inflation have created a policy dilemma for central banks. These twin concerns have also heightened
the need for investors to employ careful and considered strategic thinking in order to reposition their portfolios to take advantage of new growth opportunities while ensuring
their wealth is inflation proofed.

Beware investment scams

Although the spectre of rising inflation is expected to see central banks tighten monetary policy as the year progresses, deposit-based savings rates are forecast to remain at historically low levels. Such meagre returns have prompted many savers to shift their money into investments, with research* suggesting over half of all adults have done so. This move though has raised concerns that unrealistically high return expectations could leave some investors susceptible to investment scams.

Advice remains key

While the coming year is sure to present ongoing challenges for investors, the key to successful investing will remain the adoption of a carefully considered strategy based on sound financial
planning principles. Attractive investment opportunities are likely to present as 2022 unfolds and, with our help and careful repositioning of your portfolio, you should be able to make the most of these as and when they arise.

*Aegon, 2021

The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. The past is not a guide to future performance and past performance may not necessarily be repeated.

It’s easy to feel bombarded by the constant cycle of negative news headlines or ‘noise’, which can add to your anxiety about how your investments are doing and uncertainty as to whether your investment strategy is on the right course. It’s important to try and block out this noise which could influence you to make hasty or erratic investment decisions.

Set and revisit your goals

Keeping a record of your reasons for investing can help temper any inclination to hastily change your plans. Revisiting your initial decisions allows you to assess whether your long-term priorities remain the same.

Avoid continuous monitoring

Our mobile phones allow us to keep completely up to date, which is obviously important for things like keeping in touch with family, but when it comes to investing, it’s best to avoid the temptation to set up alert notifications for funds or companies that you are invested in. Warren Buffett had this advice in 2016 after a period of extreme market volatility saying, “Don’t watch the market closely”; advice that still rings true today.

Time in the market

Shutting out the noise to concentrate on the long term, gives your investments a greater chance of yielding positive returns and benefiting from compounding, although there are obviously no guarantees.

The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. The past is not a guide to future performance and past performance may not necessarily be repeated.

Grounds For Economic Optimism As We Journey Through The Optimism

Although the strength and speed of the global recovery over the first half of this year exceeded most expectations, the economic outlook inevitably remains uncertain. However, while future growth prospects are likely to stay closely linked to the future path of the virus, as we journey through autumn there do appear to be grounds for optimism.

Stronger recovery predicted

Over the summer months, forecasting agencies took turns to upgrade their growth projections for developed nations as a succession of economic data proved stronger than analysts had predicted. In its latest assessment, for example,the International Monetary Fund (IMF) increased its combined 2021 growth forecast for advanced economies by half a percentage point, primarily due to the success of vaccine rollouts and government stimulus measures supporting recovery.

Risks and uncertainties

The IMF assessment though, did highlight a divergence in fortunes between rich and poor nations due to differing levels of access to vaccines. As a result, an offsetting downgrade across emerging markets and developing economies meant this year’s overall global growth forecast actually remained unchanged.

Ongoing concerns surrounding inflation also persist, despite policymakers’ insistence that the recent upward trend in prices will prove transient. Furthermore, the current mammoth levels of spending by governments and central banks can only be a temporary phenomenon and, when stopped, will impact on growth.

Grounds for optimism

While the outlook is therefore expected to remain relatively uncertain, there are grounds for investor optimism. Market fundamentals, for instance, remain comparatively strong, with earnings
growth still being fuelled by pent-up demand as economies reopen, and companies starting to invest again as the recovery has gathered momentum.

Diversification remains key

There is no question that the world is in a period of immense change, with issues relating to the pandemic, as well as sustainability, fundamentally altering the investment landscape. Some
things however do not change, like the importance of holding a diversified investment portfolio and the need for expert financial advice. That’s where we come in.

The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. The past is not a guide to future performance and past performance may not necessarily be repeated. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) does not regulate Will writing, tax and trust advice and certain forms of estate planning.

As the country emerges from lockdown, an increasing sense of optimism seems to have filled the air with a much more familiar feel returning this summer. And there’s plenty to look forward to over the coming months, with a host of major sporting events including the Olympics to excite and enthral us, audiences returning to theatres and concert halls across the land, and the rearranged Chelsea Flower Show set to extend summer into late September.

Faster recovery predicted

There also appears to be a similar air of optimism in relation to economic matters, with data across the first half of this year proving to be stronger than analysts had expected. As a result, there now seems to be a good chance that major economies on both sides of the Atlantic will have recovered the lost ground caused by the pandemic before the end of 2021.

Global growth forecasts upgraded

This has led to a string of renowned international forecasting agencies upgrading their global growth projections during the past few months. The UN’s mid-2021 World Economic Situation and Prospects Report, for instance, revealed an annual growth forecast of 5.4% for this year, up significantly from January’s 4.7% estimate. This brighter outlook largely reflects the rapid vaccine rollout in a few large economies, principally the US and China, as well as an increase in global trade.

Diverging fortunes

UN economists, however, did warn that inadequate availability of vaccines in many countries was threatening a more broad-based global recovery. The report did strike a note of caution, suggesting that, ‘the economic outlook for the countries in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean remains fragile and uncertain.’

Advice remains paramount

While the outlook has certainly improved significantly across the first half of this year, the UN forecast reinforces how the pandemic continues to create a relatively uncertain economic backdrop. This inevitably means the provision of expert advice is a vital component of investor success. We can help you make the most of any investment opportunities that do arise.