Author: Touchstone UK

New tax year

The key changes you need to know

You want to pay the minimum amount of tax legally possible. We want that for you, too. The 2019/20 tax year started on 6 April, and in general taxpayers will have more money in their pocket after increases to allowances came into force, but there are a few losers, in particular those selling shares and buy-to-let landlords. Continue reading “New tax year”

To downsize, or not to downsize?

Planning your next move for a comfortable retirement

It can be a daunting prospect to think about selling the family home, but it is a decision that many decide is the right choice for them once the children have long moved out and the upkeep seems too onerous. However, people don’t often consider the impact this could have on their retirement, according to new research[1]. Continue reading “To downsize, or not to downsize?”

Retirement income

Plan to enjoy the kind of lifestyle you want in later life

‘Will I be able to afford the retirement lifestyle I want?’ is a question that many people ask but struggle to figure out. There are many ways to assess your likely income in retirement and work out how much you need to put away now to enjoy the kind of lifestyle you want in later life. This is why more and more people, where appropriate, are turning to private pensions as a tax-effective way to build or enhance their retirement income. Continue reading “Retirement income”

Money’s too tight to mention

Don’t let inflation reduce the value of your investment returns

Inflation can have a significant impact on our finances in a number of ways. But what exactly does it mean? And what impact could it have on our savings and investments? It’s important to understand how inflation works, as well as the effects it has on our financial planning. As the American economist Milton Friedman remarked, ‘Inflation is taxation without legislation.’ Continue reading “Money’s too tight to mention”

Retirement options

Greater responsibility on individuals to plan for financial security in old age

Deciding what to do with your pension pot is one of the most important decisions you will ever make for your future. The ‘pension freedom’ changes of April 2015 represented a complete shake-up of the UK’s pensions system, giving people much more control over their pension savings than before. Continue reading “Retirement options”