That was the year that was! 2009 started gloomily and for much of the first three months the outlook grew ever blacker. Then, just as it seemed Armageddon was inevitable, the infamous ‘green shoots’ were spotted and world stock markets began to recover. By the third quarter, the FTSE 100 index was recording its best ever three monthly rise since it was born in 1984.
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Many people yearn to retire early – well before their 60s if possible. The trouble is that it this hard to achieve without careful preparation; relatively few people achieve a comfortable early retirement, and it may be getting even harder.
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Making the right choice is not easy when it comes to turning your pension fund into a retirement income. Get it wrong and you, and possibly your dependants, could spend many years regretting an irreversible error.
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The concept of an absolute return fund is disarmingly attractive. Branded as able to make money in good times and bad, these funds generally provide a lower but steadier average return than many of their more conventionally managed competitors.
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Instead of the latest gadget, why not give your grandchild an investment in a unit trust or other fund for Christmas? Within a month the latest gizmo may be out of favour, but an investment could help fund university fees in later life. For a young child, tax would usually not be an issue.
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Interest rates remain at their lowest on record,1 making the returns available on commercial property look attractive. The most convenient way for most people to invest in property is through specialist, open-ended investment funds.
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Inflation erodes the value of your savings because, as prices rise, the same money buys you less. So unless your investments are growing faster than prices, you are losing money in real terms.
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If the answer is Yes, you can now take advantage of the new individual savings account (ISA) investment limits announced in the 2009 Budget:
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Did you know that the final date for online filing of tax returns for the 2008/09 tax year is 31 January 2010? On the same day, any balance payments owed are due, as are the first 2009/10 payments on account. If these balance payments are not settled with HM Revenue & Customs by 31 January 2010, an automatic 5% surcharge will be added to the outstanding amount – in addition to any interest payments that may be owed. The FSA does not regulate tax advice.
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Why did you take out life insurance? The spur is often to provide financial protection for a partner or children, by arranging a big enough lump sum to pay off a mortgage and to cover living costs.
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Just as you thought your adult children were off your hands and earning their own living at last, you wake up to the fact that they still need your continuing financial support.
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