Financial Life Planning

Your future is too important to leave to fate, as is the future of your family. You can get some of the way by working things out for yourself, doing your research and tapping into the knowledge of family and friends. But putting it all together in a way that produces good long-term outcomes is easier with the help of someone who creates financial plans for a living.

A financial planner’s role is to provide expertise and guidance to help you achieve your goals and enhance your standard of living so that you can enjoy peace of mind. As you begin to accumulate wealth and your finances become more complex, professional support becomes increasingly valuable.

And that’s where we come in.

Knowing that your goals are on track will ensure that you can enjoy:

• Greater financial well-being

• Reduced stress levels

• Increased sense of security

• Increased confidence and ability to achieve your goals

• Peace of mind

Protecting your Family

Many people have not considered the financial impact of an unexpected illness, injury or premature death within their family. The unfortunate reality is that families are struck by these events every day and the impact financially can be significant and long lasting. The main purpose of financial protection is to make sure you or your family won’t suffer financially in the event of an accident, death or illness. It is important to consider the following questions.

• How would you cope financially if you were unable to work due to accident or ill health?

• Would the expense of an illness affect the financial well-being of you and your family?

• Would your death have a devastating effect on your family’s standard of living and future plans?

• Will the state provide for your family if you are unable to work?

Protecting your Business

When you are responsible for the future success of a business – either solely, or as part of a management team – it’s up to you to ensure that business opportunities are maximised and any threats to your business are minimised. There a number of ‘hidden’ risks that could have a lasting impact on the profits, stability and future of your business. These are the risks relating to the people who are essential to your business. The success of a business may often be more dependent on its ‘human’ assets than its physical ones. Business Protection is designed to help companies keep control of their business, maintain profit levels and safeguard loans.

• What would happen to your shareholding if you as a partner or shareholder were to die?

• What are the consequences of the death of one of your fellow Directors/Partners?

• Would the company suffer if a Director/Key Person was absent due to ill health for a prolonged period?

• Are you providing a suitable protection and pension package to attract and retain key employees?

Planning for Your Retirement

It is never too late or too early to start planning for your retirement. Modern life expectancy continues to demonstrate we can enjoy decades of life after employment. Making some financial choices now, will help with ensuring your lifestyle is maintained for that duration. A pension plan is simply a tax efficient method of saving for the future.

• Will your income reduce significantly when you retire?

• Have you considered the generous tax relief available with a pension plan?

• Do you know what your entitlements will be in retirement?

• Have you prepared yourself mentally, physically and financially for the next step of the journey?

Investing Your Assets Efficiently

None of us want to experience financial losses and so investment decisions which include returns greater than prevailing deposit interest rates can be worthwhile. Minimising management fees, utilising tax efficient strategies and working with Investment professionals are keys to long term investment success.

• What financial goals do you have in mind?

• How long do you wish to save or invest your money for? Will you do this regularly or as a

  one off lump sum?

• Have you assessed the most suitable tax strategy for the investment of your funds?

• Are you carrying capital losses that could be offset against future gains in your portfolio?

• Is your portfolio appropriate for your objectives, attitude for risk and capacity for loss?

• Do you want to pass on your assets to your children/grandchildren in a tax efficient manner?

Effective Estate Planning involves:

• Clear understanding of your wishes through honest conversation

• Structuring a framework to achieve your intentions

• Specific tax efficient investing

• Finding the appropriate legal and tax advice

• Ensuring your assets are allocated according to your wishes

• Minimising taxes and associated costs to your estate

Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation

When providing advice, the firm considers the adverse impact of investment decisions on sustainability. As part of our research and assessment of products, the firm will examine the Product Providers literature to compare financial products and to make informed investment decisions about ESG products. The firm will at all times act in the client’s best interests and keep clients informed accordingly. The consideration of sustainability risks can impact on the returns of financial products.