Retirement freedoms

Ensure your future income will allow you to enjoy the lifestyle you want

Preparing for retirement is like getting ready for a journey, it never goes quite as planned. But the better the plan, the better the outcome. When things go wrong, you want to have the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances. You never know what retirement will be like until you get there. Continue reading “Retirement freedoms”

Building a strategy that meets your financial needs

Preparing ourselves for life to be really strange for some time

The only constant in life is change, which is why individual financial life planning should not be a one-off exercise. Reviewing your finances regularly is essential if you want to stay on track to meet your financial goals. Making sure your finances are in the best possible shape will also make sure you stay on course to achieving everything you want. Continue reading “Building a strategy that meets your financial needs”

How would you cope without an income?

Make sure you’re ready should the unexpected happen

Mental health conditions might not be as easy to pin down as physical health conditions, but insurers are increasingly recognising the need to provide cover and support to people suffering with mental ill health. And with mental health behind so many income protection claims, it’s worth reviewing what protection you have in place.

According to the Global Web Index, 54% of UK adults said that their mental health has worsened during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. This concern is widespread, as the biggest fear for 30% of people is their mental health deteriorating during the epidemic[1].

Most common reason

Claims for mental health account for 29% of income protection claims, with some 7% of adults in the UK seeking mental health support through Telehealth services[2]. Worryingly, a Mind survey found that one in four said they had trouble contacting a GP or community mental health team as face-to-face appointments stopped in recent weeks[3].

It’s worth recognising that when it comes to mental health, insurers can offer more than simply the chance of a payout. A host of insurers have attempted to rise to the challenge of improving our mental states by providing a range of additional benefits and services that may give your mental health a boost.

Anxiety and depression

During this time of uncertainty and anxiety that the COVID-19 lockdown has caused, it has never been more important to look after our mental health. Up to one in four people experience a mental health problem such as anxiety and depression every week, and there is a strong correlation between financial health and mental health.

There is no difference in any of the insurance decision-making processes for mental health to those for physical health. The process by which decisions are made and guidelines are written is consistent for every medical condition whether physical or mental (or, as is often the case, a combination of the two).

Some serious consequences

Mental health is one of the leading causes of work absence in the UK. Over the course of the last decade, mental health issues in Britain have reached crisis levels. Approximately one in six people in England have met the criteria of having a common mental health problem such as anxiety or depression[4].

It is estimated in the future that one in four UK adults will experience mental illness during their lifetime, which could severely affect their ability to work. According to official statistics[5], mental health problems represent one of the leading causes of work absence in the UK and are the most common reason for sickness absence notes issued by GP surgeries in England.

Achieve more and enjoy our lives

Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more. The coronavirus outbreak means life has changed for us all. It may cause you to feel anxious, stressed, worried, sad, bored, lonely or frustrated.

The NHS website (https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/) provides expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and well-being. A host of insurers have also attempted to rise to the challenge of improving our mental states by providing a range of additional benefits and services that may give your mental health a boost.

Providing real peace of mind and security

 An income protection policy provides real peace of mind and the security knowing that should anything happen regarding your health which leaves you unable to bring in your usual wage, there will be an income to cover the essentials beyond statutory sick pay. Contact Touchstone Investment Advisers on 0203 026 4074 or email info@touchstone-uk.co.uk to find out more.

 Source data: 

[1] Global Web index – Coronavirus Research, April 2020 – Series 8: Health, Personal concerns

[2] Global Web index – Coronavirus Research, April 2020 – Series 8: Health, Adoption rel=”noopener noreferrer” of Telehealth services

[3] Mental health charity Mind finds that nearly a quarter of people have not been able to access mental health services in the last two weeks

[4] https://www.canadalife.co.uk/news/britain-s-mental-health-crisis-and-group-insurance

[5] https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/fit-notes-issued-by-gp-practices/september-2018

 

Looking to the future

Successful life planning also requires a significant degree of financial planning

We spend our lives planning our next holiday, for a family, buying a property, funding a child’s education and for the day we retire. So then why is it that some people seem to have the ability to live the life of dreams and pass on their wealth to the next generation when others are faced with huge tax bills, the prospect of selling their home or worried about healthcare costs?

Being able to realise our future plans and dreams requires objectives, information and organisation. Successful life planning also requires a significant degree of financial planning, a comprehensive picture of your current finances, your financial goals, and any strategies you’ve set to achieve those goals.

The planning process should be comprehensive and typically involve a close look at your personal goals, debt, income and cash flow, investments, retirement plans, tax strategies, estate plans, investment strategies, and insurance.

“If you had more time or money, what would you do?”

The outcome should enable any individual and their family to achieve a defined set of financial and lifestyle goals. It is a detailed process of assessing what one really wants out of life and then translating that into financial terms.

Defining your financial objectives and goals

Defining your goals and objectives are the foundation upon which your financial plan is based on and provides a roadmap for your financial future. Begin with the end in mind. What is your life about? What do you want to do? Who do you want to do it with? Where do you want to be in 5, 10, 20 years, and how much will that cost?

Look at your financial future as a whole when outlining these goals. All of your finances are connected, so don’t just focus on one aspect. Remember that they should be quantifiable and achievable with a clear and defined time frame. You need to separate your needs from your wants, and these need be reviewed periodically to capture changing circumstances and to ensure they remain relevant.

“What do you want to accomplish or attain so you will feel that you’ve had a life well lived?”

To get where you need to go, you need to know where you are starting from. What have you accumulated? What do you earn? What strategies are already in place?

Once you know where you want to go, how are you going to get there? At this point, you need to plan and devise strategies to save, invest, protect and pass on your wealth. A good plan is always in writing and has defined periods for its achievement that represent milestones and markers of success.

Now it’s time to take action. You’ve worked out where and how – now it is a case of putting that into your financial plan. It’s important to remember that life changes, career promotions come along, families begin and circumstances change – and your plan needs to change with it. Your plans need to be monitored, reviewed and adjusted accordingly.

Some people put off thinking about financial planning until later in life. But as a consequence, more often than not, they fail to put proper plans in place until in their mid-50’s. Therefore, it is critical that you start planning your finances from as young as possible. As soon as you have your first job, you should start comprehensive financial planning.

Thoughtful reflection about what you want

 When you’re figuring out how to make a life plan, it helps to know what you want to change, and in what areas of your life. Big shifts and goals require thoughtful reflection about what you want and what is standing in your way. To discuss your plans or for any other questions or concerns you may have, please contact Touchstone Investment Advisers on 0203 026 4074 or email info@touchstone-uk.co.uk.

Retirement matters

Staying invested and giving your money the greatest chance to grow

Perhaps the most common investment advice is to stay invested. But with markets being so volatile, the ease of sticking to that advice has been sorely tested in 2020. Even though we’ve seen global markets bounce sharply from their March lows, understandably there will still be those investing for retirement who remain worried and wonder what the best approach is for the remainder of the year and beyond Continue reading “Retirement matters”