Independent Financial Adviser UK
Thursday, April 08, 2004
Tuesday, April 06, 2004
Pension Update
The Chancellor has confirmed that the most radical changes to Pension legislation in a generation will be going ahead. Everybody who has a pension will be affected but for some the opportunities will be dramatic. Anybody with;
Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs)
Small Self Administered Schemes (SSAS)
Executive Pension Plans
Income Drawdown Plans
Section 32 Buy Out Plans
Plans to retire in the next 5 years
Plans to buy a residential property
6 April 2006 confirmed as ‘A’ Day
The decision to delay the legislation for an extra year to 2006 offers an excellent opportunity to take maximum advantage of the current rules and make preparations to benefit from the new regime.
For Independent Financial Advice
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Friday, March 12, 2004
This years budget on the 17th April 2004 is one of the most eagerly awaited for years and also one of the most important. With this weeks announcement by the National Audit Office that it expects only 10,000 people to be affected by the £1.4 million pension lifetime limit it is widely expected Gordon Brown will go ahead with all of the Pension Simplification proposals outlined last December.
This will mean huge opportunities for many but to take full advantage Independent Financial Advice will be crucial. Visit MJR Financial Management for a review and check back here for more Budget updates.
Wednesday, February 04, 2004
INVESTMENT
Investments can take many forms but are generally categorised as either equity or fixed interest, growth or income, short term or long term, domestic or international etc. The types of investment chosen will depend upon its purpose and proposed duration. We understand that all clients have a different attitude to risk depending on their personal circumstances and preferences and also that the tax treatment of each product can be an important consideration. To make the right recommendation for the client we advise on all investment types including:
• Enterprise Investment Schemes – Tax saving high risk schemes investing in smaller companies
• Ethical Investments
• Investment Bonds – Single Premium With Profit Life Policies
• Investment Trusts – Buying shares in one company which invests directly into a portfolio of other investments
• ISA’s (Individual Savings Accounts) – Tax free savings plans which can be used to invest in equities (either directly or through unit/investment trusts), into deposit accounts or with profits life policies
• Offshore Investments
• National Savings
• PEP Transfers
• Stocks and Shares
• Unit Trusts – Buying units in a fund which is invested by professionals into a number of other investments spreading equity risk
Since we are completely impartial we select products from the entire market place and always take into account factors such as the economic outlook, tax implications, past performance, product charges, the fund managers’ investment style and, most importantly, the clients attitude to risk.
Click here to find out more...
Friday, January 16, 2004
For Mortgage, Investment, pensions, Insurance or tax planning contact MJR Financial Management for independent financial advice.
Thursday, January 08, 2004
10th December Government Pension Proposals
On the 10th December 2003 the Inland Revenue and the Treasury published a long awaited consultation document on the simplification of pensions which contained a number of interesting proposals;
• The previously proposed £1.4m lifetime limit will be reviewed by the National Audit Office before the government decides if it is to be implemented.
• Pension Schemes will have much more investment freedom allowing them to invest in residential property, artworks etc.
• Tax-free cash of up to 25% of the fund will be allowed regardless of the type of pension.
• No limit on employer or employee contributions but employee contributions will only receive tax relief up to 100% of earnings.
• New Income drawdown proposals mean the minimum amount taken can be as little as £1 per annum.
Whilst the governments’ original proposal to set a lifetime limit of £1.4m has still not been finalized the proposal to allow investment in residential property is a welcome move and one which we believe will be very popular. These proposals have not been finalized but if they go ahead will become law on 6th April 2005.
Visit MJR Financial Management for More
Wednesday, January 07, 2004
Thursday, December 11, 2003
Friday, December 05, 2003
Mortgages
For many of us moving house is the most important financial decision we will ever make and it is also said to be one of the most stressful. The wealth of options available is vast and comparisons of cost can be difficult due to the numerous options available. There are over 100 lenders offering mortgages that can be repayment or interest only, variable or fixed, tracker, flexible, discounted, capped etc, and within each category more decisions have to be made. However, with independent trustworthy advice and up-to-date expert research, it doesn’t have to be confusing. We offer advice on:
Buy to Let Mortgages – An increasingly popular mortgage for investment purposes
Commercial Mortgages
Equity Release Schemes – Unlocking the value in a property
Remortgages
Residential Mortgages
SIPP/SSAS Mortgages – Allowing a pension to borrow the money to buy a property
Click here for further information
And you can visit our other blogs Financial Advice UK anf MJR News
Thursday, November 27, 2003
Wednesday, November 26, 2003
Financial Services Bulletin - Autumn 2003
A Return To Growth
‘Growth’ is the theme of our Autumn Bulletin with the recent expansion of our Financial Services team and positive signs emerging on world stock markets.
We are delighted that John Bloxham has joined us from HSBC in Leicester to work alongside Richard Meek in offering our clients independent advice in all aspects of financial planning. He brings a wealth of experience gained in his 5 years as a technical adviser for HSBC, during which time he became CEFA qualified.
World stock markets have returned to favour in recent months with equity markets showing positive signs towards recovery and long term growth. It is fair to say that we will not see a swift return to double-digit returns, however, we do anticipate medium term returns of 6-7% per annum from the UK market.
These are ‘interesting times’ in the investment world:
• Base rates fell in July 2003 to their lowest level for 48 years after the Bank of England cut interest rates. Base rates have more than halved in the last 5 years and are now less than a quarter of the peak they reached in 1990.
• Elsewhere in the world, short-term interest rates have also dropped to minimal levels. At the end of July 2003, the US Federal funds rate (the equivalent of base rate) was just 1% and the European version was 2%.
UK deposit rates are so low that the after-tax interest you receive is unlikely to keep pace with inflation, which is still running at close to 3%. Consequently your income could be higher from share based investments than from banks or building society deposit accounts. However, as has been all too clear in the last 3 years, share values can go down as well as up.
Most experts believe that low interest rates and low inflation are here to stay for the foreseeable future. If you have not reviewed your investment strategy recently, you should do so now. “There are opportunities as well as threats in today’s investment markets.”
HOT SHOTS!
On a lighter note, Richard’s golfing prowess was recently demonstrated with winning the coveted Leicestershire Golf Club 2003 Championship – congratulations!
For truly Independent Financial Advice that takes a holistic approach to financial planning visit MJR Financial Management.
Friday, November 21, 2003
Google Search: google blogs
OK, I dont really have any internet savvy and hadn't heard of blogs before the other week and only tried this as a means to promote my website ( http://www.mjrfm.co.uk ! Sorry) but now I'm quite interested - does anybody read these?
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
CONTACT
Independent Financial Adviser: Richard Meek
Telephone: 0116 2549 018
Fax: 0116 2548 308
Email: jb@mjrfm.co.uk
Address: MJR Financial Management
Granville Hall
Granville Road
Leicester
LE1 7RU
