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Estate planning amid changing IHT rules

Ensuring your loved ones are cared for takes proper planning.
Planning your estate is challenging at the best of times. Knowing how to mitigate your liabilities while ensuring your loved ones are cared for takes proper planning and the right tools. The 2024 Autumn Budget Statement announcements could create significant and lasting challenges for rural businesses of all sizes. Under the Chancellor’s proposed changes, from April 2026, IHT reliefs available to farms and family businesses will be restricted.

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Building a resilient investment portfolio

Smoothing returns and providing greater stability.

Building a secure financial future requires more than simply saving money; it demands a strategic approach to managing and growing wealth. A well-diversified investment portfolio safeguards against the inevitable fluctuations of financial markets. This approach doesn’t eliminate risk entirely, but it cushions your portfolio, allowing stronger-performing areas to offset potential losses in weaker ones.

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Autumn Budget Statement 2024

How could the range of changes impact your wealth planning?

The Autumn Budget Statement 2024 introduced a range of changes that could significantly impact wealth planning strategies. From pensions and tax adjustments to shifts in the treatment of business and agricultural assets, the statement calls for individuals with substantial wealth to reassess their long-term financial goals. These changes present challenges and opportunities depending on your personal and financial circumstances.

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Unlocking home ownership

Generous parents and grandparents are turning to their property wealth.

As the housing market becomes increasingly competitive, family contributions are crucial in helping younger buyers secure their dream homes. Recent research highlights that generous parents and grandparents are turning to their property wealth to offer this vital support.

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Understanding the rising impact of Inheritance Tax

Exploring strategies to secure your family’s financial future.

The amount of Inheritance Tax (IHT) paid by families has dramatically increased over the past decade, increasing from £3.1 billion in the 2012/13 tax year[1] to £7.5 billion in the 2023/24 tax year[2]. This rise is attributed to growing asset values and stagnant IHT thresholds, coupled with many families delaying their planning. An additional IHT allowance was introduced in 2017, allowing some families to pass on more assets without incurring IHT, yet

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Understanding the gender pension gap

Why do women often find themselves disadvantaged in retirement?

Significant disparities continue to remain when it comes to retirement savings, with the gender pension gap standing out prominently. Even though the gap manifests across various demographics, including age, job types, and income levels, however, it is women who bear the brunt of these inequalities, often finding themselves at a financial disadvantage in retirement. This disparity is primarily due to lifelong differences in savings and the contributions made to pension plans.

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Who pays for long-term care?

Ensure you’re well-placed to fund any future care needs.

Many people prefer to avoid the subject of long-term care. Most find it hard to contemplate going into a care home when they are older, but many will do so eventually. However, planning for these potential expenses is important before they become urgent. The NHS, while a cornerstone of healthcare in the UK, only covers care costs in specific circumstances, primarily when related to medical health needs.

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The role of trusts

Providing timely financial support to your loved ones when they need it most.

Ensuring the financial security of loved ones is a paramount concern in financial planning. Your life insurance policy is a significant asset, and by putting it in an appropriate Trust, you can manage how your beneficiaries receive their inheritance. This approach offers numerous advantages beyond the basic provisions of a standard life insurance policy, enhancing the efficiency and security of the payout for your beneficiaries.

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Stay focused on your retirement goals

Identifying any potential financial gaps and bridging these gaps before it’s too late.

Retirement is a milestone we all look forward to—a time of relaxation, free from the daily grind of work and financial stress. Achieving a comfortable retirement requires thoughtful planning and foresight. While life may present unforeseen challenges, particularly concerning health, you can take proactive steps to bolster your financial resilience and manage the unexpected.

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Retirement readiness in your 50s

Now is the time to make sure you know how much you need to save.

As you enter your 50s, retirement looms larger on the horizon, making it crucial to ensure your finances are optimally positioned. This stage of life demands a coordinated and joined-up approach to financial planning to enjoy retirement on your terms. An essential step is to clarify your retirement goals.

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Planning your path to a fulfilling retirement

Are your finances on the right track as you approach this new chapter?

As we approach our 50s and 60s, retirement looms on the horizon, promising a well-deserved break from decades of hard work. Whether your future plans include travelling, indulging in hobbies, or spending quality time with family and friends, retirement should be the longest holiday of your life. Ensuring your finances are on the right track as you approach this new chapter is crucial.

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