August 27, 2008 · 4 Comments
After much preparation, we are now able to announce the series of dates when TheParaplanner will be visiting a place near you. These events will be based on the ‘at retirement’ theme with most of the speakers and discussions focused around that subject. We have managed to get some top industry speakers and providers to talk to us and give their views so each event promises to be both worthwhile and informative. In addition there will be a number of exclusives for everyone who attends which we think will... [Read the full story]
August 1, 2008 · Leave a Comment
Dominic Brooks, Winterthur’s Pension Development Manager, examines the additional issues involved when a plan includes a Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) element. Client options Our clients’ options are to leave the benefits where they are or move them to a replacement S32, or to a personal pension. The first problem lies in finding an alternative provider willing to accept the GMP liability as, though there may be one, I am not aware of any provider currently accepting new S32 business that includes GMP. So... [Read the full story]
August 20, 2008 · Leave a Comment
Fund Legal Name: Newton Phoenix Multi-Asset FundManager: Phil Collins, BNY Mellon Asset Management Initial Charge: 4.00% AMC: 1.50% Launch Date: 11 April 2003 IMA Sector: Cautious Managed Performance YTD: -4.72% Annualised Standard Deviation: 6.34% Annualised Sharpe Ratio: 0.09 Aim: The fund aims to achieve long-term capital growth in excess of benchmark cash returns from a balanced portfolio diversified across a range of asset classes. Commentary: The fund pursues a diversified asset approach... [Read the full story]
September 2, 2008 · Leave a Comment
Stamp duty is to be axed for a year on properties costing less than £175,000 as part of a package of measures being unveiled to help the housing market.The level at which the 1% purchase tax has to be paid is to be increased from £125,000, from Wednesday morning. Read the full story from BBC News here. Read More →
August 21, 2008 · Leave a Comment
When are you going to die? I don’t see this on many fact finds and it is a bit of a brutal question but I think that we should all be asking clients and getting their opinion on the matter. I am often putting together investment and retirement planning strategies with a ‘medium’ or ‘long’ term perspective which is fine but the issue of longevity becomes more relevant when recommendations and in particular financial plans are based on an assumed date of death. I do a lot of lifetime cash... [Read the full story]
August 14, 2008 · Leave a Comment
Studies suggest that your memories are solidified while you sleep. Your brain does a lot of work during your rest-almost like it is busy filing and making sense of everything you’ve discovered while you were awake. When you’ve learned a new concept or information that you want to retain, consider taking a nap or reviewing it right before going to bed. This will give your brain the best chance to assimilate the new information. Right, I’m off for a nap now to remember that! Read More →
August 1, 2008 · Leave a Comment
We thought it would be a good idea to start to provide reviews of new products. We felt that as we were reviewing Plans and products and trying to understand them as part of our day jobs it would be good to share this information with our readers.We have tried to set this out in a way which answers basic questions and tried to collate all the various pieces of information from the company literature and present this in a way which is appropriate for paraplanners, whatever their level of knowledge or experience. Invariably... [Read the full story]
When are you going to die? I don’t see this on many fact finds and it is a bit of a brutal question but I think that we should all be asking clients and getting their opinion... [Read more]
As you may well know, we are running the Paraplanner of the Year Awards in association with the Institute of Financial Planning. Martin and Richard are also speaking as part... [Read more]
We have been working on this for some time now and are very excited to announce that the Awards are launched today. There will be lots of publicity and... [Read more]
We thought it would be a good idea to start to provide reviews of new products. We felt that as we were reviewing Plans and products and trying to... [Read more]
Knowing how long a client can expect to live is very useful when considering most types of financial planning issues yet, apart from in some unfortunate... [Read more]