Tag Archives: Tax

“A dementia tax- by any other name”- guest blog from Alex Adamou

Posted on May 28, 2017 by

Thanks to Alexander for this excellent blog and for Con Keating for sending it to me. After watching an unusually shallow discussion of the so-called “dementia tax” on This Week last night, I want to give my take on it. … Continue reading →

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What a “strong mandate” means for pensions.

Posted on April 19, 2017 by

Since the range of outcomes considered by the bookies ranges from “strong” to “weak” conservative majority, I’m putting my money on the Liberals getting an overall majority (only 25-1 with William Hill). That seems the likeliest alternative outcome and I’ve … Continue reading →

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The half completed bridge – pension tax reform.

Posted on March 8, 2017 by

      Today is Budget Day, though you wouldn’t know it! It’s a kind of side-issue when mainstream news is dominated by Trump’s latest antics and speculation over BREXIT. There was a time when the Pension world would be … Continue reading →

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£500 “wealth cheques” written by those “just getting by”.

Posted on February 4, 2017 by

First the facts The Treasury has upped the amount savers will be able to draw from their pensions to pay for financial advice from £500 to £1,500. In August, the Government set out plans for a £500 “pensions advice allowance” … Continue reading →

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Where does all our money go?

Posted on November 23, 2016 by

Two of the big three revenue sources are income tax and national insurance, they’re the ones who hurt the well off. The third biggie -VAT is the one that hurts the poorest. Poor people pay VAT at the same rate as … Continue reading →

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Tax-subsidies on retirement advice; a waste of public funds!

Posted on September 5, 2016 by

The Government intends to extend tax breaks on pensions to allow those with pension pots to use them to pay for advice. The details are in this consultation document. The fundamental premise is that taking financial advice on retirement matters … Continue reading →

Posted in advice gap, consultant, dc pensions, de-risking, defined ambition, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

An Apple a day, 700 reasons not to stay!

Posted on August 31, 2016 by

General angst, everywhere but here! There are a lot of people getting very angry about the EU’s determination that Apple should be paying Euro 13bn in tax to the Irish Government. Apple aren’t happy at the prospect of corporate profits … Continue reading →

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Pension Transfer Offers – should you take yours?

Posted on August 14, 2016 by

  I urge you to listen this excellent podcast (skip to 1 minute to avoid the ad). It’s led by Jo Cumbo and has the thoughts of a couple of IFAs (who I don’t know). At 13 minutes long it … Continue reading →

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Should we block the triple lock?

Posted on July 31, 2016 by

  Ros Altmann speaks out (shock!) We now have three former  pension ministers making a lot more noise than our current pension minister. Ros Altmann who we are now realising never should have done the jog Steve Webb who should … Continue reading →

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Can an incentive be more effective than compulsion? Guest blog from Ralph Frank

Posted on May 12, 2016 by

  The Individual Savings Account (“ISA”) seems to be the savings vehicle of choice of the current Chancellor.  There were two types of ISA, cash and stocks & shares, when the Chancellor took office back in 2010.  The maximum subscription … Continue reading →

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