“Pension consolidators – a threat to the advice industry”

Feb 18, 2021 | Pensions

An independent (financial adviser’s) view

Remember the ‘milk round’? No, not Ernie and his gold tops (kids etc.), this was when big employers visited schools and unis to recruit new blood, the majority of whom would stay with them until they collected their pensions. Now most of us end up with lots of pensions , and the temptation is to put them into one convenient pot. You can DIY it cheaply and easily online. Or use us and pay, because we get info on each, compare charges, funds, pros and cons and give advice to make sure you’re doing the right thing; so that when you get that ‘were you persuaded to transfer your pension’ text, you can’t get a dodgy claims company to come after us. You pays your money and you takes your choice.

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“Reeves backs down on plans to cut ISA limit”

“Reeves backs down on plans to cut ISA limit”

So it looks as though Cash ISAs are safe for the moment (FTM – is that a thing?) Rachel has apparently ‘bowed to pressure’ from the banks and building societies and decided not to reduce the allowance to £4,000 for cash and to keep the £20,000 parity with Stocks and Shares ISAs. Bowed also to common sense, I’d say.

“Two thirds of adults are worried about care costs in later life”

“Two thirds of adults are worried about care costs in later life”

A dichotomy/dilemma here. Two thirds of adults are probably right to be worried about the cost of care, which is huge and getting more so. Many of those currently worrying will have had first-hand experience with their own parents, which will have focused their minds on their own possible future.

“Why most won’t need to worry about IHT on pensions”

“Why most won’t need to worry about IHT on pensions”

Many a government has made the point that only a minority will be affected by this or that tax change or tinker. It is, however, both perception and aspiration which are important, and they are what makes IHT the ‘most hated’ of all taxes – along with all the others, of course.