Welcome to our September/October 2023 edition of our financial planning magazine.
Investment Bonds
In this issue, we look at investment bonds and explain how they offer several benefits that some investors may be missing out on, which have become even more beneficial due to recent changes in tax regulations. This follows last November’s Budget and the Chancellor’s decision to reduce the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) Allowance from £12,000 to £6,000 this year and to £3,000 in April 2024. This is likely to increase the appeal of investment bonds for some investors who want to minimise Inheritance Tax (IHT) liabilities when passing on wealth. Read the full article on page 06.
Inheritance Tax Receipts
The UK Treasury has been receiving record-breaking Inheritance Tax (IHT) receipts. IHT receipts amounted to approximately £7.09 billion British pounds in 2022/23, compared with £6.05 billion in the previous financial year, according to Statista. On page 03, we consider why IHT can be emotionally challenging for individuals and families who have to pay it, often requiring the sale of cherished family assets to settle the tax bill. That’s why starting estate planning early and implementing it in stages is essential.
Divorce
Divorce is a complex process that often comes with various financial considerations and preparing for a divorce is undoubtedly challenging, especially when it involves untangling your finances. The emotional strain can make it difficult to make clear-headed decisions and the long-term consequences may not be immediately apparent. On page 11, we explain why it’s crucial to carefully consider the financial aspects of divorce to ensure that you can sustain the lifestyle you desire post-separation.
Pension Drawdown
Pension drawdown is a flexible way of taking income from your pension, introduced after the pension freedom rules in April 2015. Before that, the government limited how much income you could take from your pension unless you had other sources of income, and annuities were commonly used to provide a guaranteed income for life. Nowadays, you have more flexibility in accessing your pension funds, allowing you to take as much or as little as you want. Turn to page 12 to read the full article.
A complete list of the articles featured in this issue appears on page 02.
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We hope you enjoy reading this issue and, for more information on our latest financial planning magazine or to discuss any of the issues raised in this article, please contact us. Further information can also be found at gov.uk.
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Personal circumstances differ and not all of this information is applicable to every client and/or their business, this information is general in nature and should not be relied upon without seeking specific professional financial advice.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) does not regulate tax advice, estate planning, trusts or will writing.
The content in this article is for your general information and use only and is not intended to address your particular requirements. Articles should not be relied upon in their entirety and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute, advice.
Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of any articles.
Thresholds, percentage rates and tax legislation may change in subsequent finance acts. Levels and bases of, and reliefs from, taxation are subject to change and their value depends on the individual circumstances of the investor. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
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