Building & Preserving Capital

 

 

During a lifetime clients will need to make decisions about the investment of large sums of money as a result of events like retirement and inheritance. We discuss with clients their attitude to risk, the objectives for the investment and help build an appropriate investment portfolio covering many different asset classes.

Building capital can take a lifetime of hard work and regular saving. To ensure clients have the necessary funds to fulfil their ambitions at key points in their lives we regularly review progress with clients to ensure they are on track to achieve their plans.

We advise on:

• Individual Savings Accounts (ISA's)
  
  
• Unit Trusts
  
  
• Investment Bonds
  
  
• Offshore Investment Bonds
  
  
• Personal Pensions
  
  
• Existing Pension Funds - If you have left a job you may still be entitled to a preserved pension. You can consider transferring your pension benefits to your new employer's pension scheme or to a personal or stakeholder pension. When reviewing exisiting pension funds we consider:

  Is the funding level adequate?
  Is the investment risk appropriate, particularly as you get older?
  Is the investment performance competitive?
  Are the charges offering good value for money?

• Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPP's)
  
  
• With Profit Investments - With-Profits plans have been in the news again as companies declare their bonus rates for 2007. Unfortunately, whilst a few companies have made good returns for their clients, this is not the case for everyone. How is your plan performing or, more importantly, how well do you think it is likely to perform in the future?
  
  Perhaps it's time to review your options?
  
  The press seem to think so - “ Savers told to ditch With Profits plan ”, according to an article in the Sunday Times on 20 January 2008. Another article in the financial press warned “ With Profit fund returns plummet ”.
  
  All too often, industry spokespeople remind us of the advantages of With-Profits smoothing, but the reality is that some funds have seen returns reduce significantly over the last 10 years. In addition, a number of funds do not have the financial strength to be able to invest in equities, thus removing the scope to participate in future stock market growth.

Throughout a lifetime it is not unusual for clients to acquire a portfolio of shares. This can result in complex tax affairs and onerous paperwork. We work with clients to help them simplify this process.

We advise on:

• Portfolio Management Services

As part of the relationship with clients we will also advise on how to minimise the effects of Inheritance Tax and ensure you:

• Keep your assets within your family
  
  
• Protect your Nil Rate Band if you were to die and your partner re-marry
  
  
• Protect assets passed to children / grandchildren from the risk of them becoming bankrupt or divorced
  
  
• Protect your assets from the need to fund long term care in later life

We advise on:

• Wills *
  
  
• Discounted Gift Plans
  
  
• Gift & Loan Plans

 

* Will Writing is a separate and distinct service to those offered by St. James's Place and not regulated by the Financial Services Authority