Welcome to the latest issue of the TIPS financial guidance magazine for March and April 2021. At the time of publishing, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak had not delivered his budget 2021 speech. We’ll look at the key announcements and how these could affect your personal, family and business finances in the next edition.

You’ve worked to create a legacy for the people you care about. But have you put in place plans so that your loved ones can receive the most from the estate you intend to leave behind? Even if you believe you have moderate wealth you may still need to take action to minimise Inheritance Tax. On page 10 we consider why it can be a great concern for individuals with wealth exceeding the current £325,000 nil-rate band (202/21 tax year).

Responsible, sustainable and environmentally friendly investing is here to stay. But, while demand is growing among all age groups, genders and income bands, some savers and investors are missing their biggest opportunity for responsible investing, which is through their pension. Read the full article on page 08.

If you’ve spent a lifetime saving for retirement, you’d probably like any remaining money to go to a loved one after your death. But whether pension benefits are payable to a beneficiary, and how they’ll receive them, is dependent on the type of pension you’ve chosen and how you’ve accessed it in your retirement. Find out what to consider on page 03.

No one likes to pay tax on their hard-earned money. But due to the complexities of the tax system, without expert professional financial advice, some individuals could be paying more tax than necessary. Turn to page 06 to see what you may need to consider before the end of every tax year on April 5.

Planning for life’s journey

Your wealth needs to serve you differently at different stages of your life. Individual life planning should not be a one-off exercise. Your personal circumstances, requirements, expectations and aspirations will develop over time. That’s why we’re here to support you through life’s adventures and provide the right solution at every step of the way. To discuss how we can help you plan for life’s journey please get in touch with one of our independent financial advisers here.

Read TIPS here.