Pensions

Individuals are increasingly recognising that they cannot depend on the Government for their retirement income. With life expectancy also increasing, more and more people are looking to invest in a pension to ensure that they have a secure and comfortable life when they eventually give up work.

There is a bewildering array of different pensions available in the marketplace, and investment in the wrong sort of pension can reduce the value of your pension income and/or limit the flexibility available to you on retirement.

The rules surrounding pensions have recently been relaxed meaning that the new modern pensions are far more flexible than older-style pensions, and can offer far greater choice and value for money.

Whether you are interested in making a regular contribution, or simply want to review your existing pensions our advisors will help you understand your needs, and provide you with a flexible tailored solution to suit your specific requirements.

Savings and investments

When it comes to investment, everyone’s needs are different. It may be the provision of income, long-term growth, or a combination of both. People like to feel financially secure and to know that their money is working efficiently for them. We can advise you on the different types of savings and investment vehicles available and tailor a portfolio to suit your individual needs, taking into account your tax position and attitude to investment risk. Options include:

• Individual savings accounts
• National savings schemes
• Unit and investment trusts
• Onshore and offshore investment
• Discretionary portfolio management services

Protection against death or illness

Life can throw up the most unexpected twists and turns, often without warning, so it is important to ensure that you or your loved ones are financially compensated in the event of death or being off work due to accident or illness (or redundancy).

Whether you are interested in taking out insurance to protect you or your family, or simply want to review your existing policies, our advisors will help you understand your needs, and provide you with a flexible tailored solution to suit your specific requirements.

• Term assurance
• Whole of life insurance
• Income protection
• Permanent health insurance
• Critical illness
• Private medical insurance
• Long term care

Mortgages and loans

Buying a home may well be one of your biggest financial commitments. It can also seem one of the most daunting. There are hundreds of lenders, and thousands of offers, from which to choose. There are repayment, interest only, endowment, pension-linked and ISA mortgages. These can be a whole range of mortgages that may suit or indeed a simple loan at the best rates may be the right option. With all of this to compare and contrast, how can you be sure of making the right choice?

• ISA mortgages
• Discounted rate mortgages
• Fixed-rate mortgages
• Variable rate mortgages

Whether you are interested in taking out a new mortgage, or simply want to review your existing mortgage, our advisors will help you understand your needs, and provide you with a flexible tailored solution to suit your specific requirements.

Wills and inheritance tax planning

Making a will is something we all mean to do but never get around to, mainly because we don't like the thought of dying. Yet, making a proper provision for our families is one of our main aims in life.

In a nutshell, making a valid will is the only way to ensure your assets go where you want them to go when you die. You and your family deserve the peace of mind that comes from knowing that a tragedy won't be compounded by a long term disaster.

Furthermore, with an increasing number of people potentially liable to Inheritance Tax (IHT), a lack of proper planning now can see your family’s wealth reduced by up to 40% in the future. As experts in this market, we recommend that anyone with wealth either individually or with your spouse in excess of £250,000 should review their IHT position to ensure any savings are secured now.

General insurance

We are all so busy these days that, sometimes, we just don’t have the time or inclination to ensure that we have the correct insurances in place to cope with what life throws at us. Even if you have been diligent in the past, it may be that the terms or price of the product you have in place can be improved – for example, your circumstances may have changed, or you may, simply, just have bought a policy from your bank. That’s where abacus can help.

Using the power of bulk purchasing, we have teamed up with one of the leading providers of general insurance in the UK to provide individuals with access to a full range of cost effective solutions to all their general insurance needs:-

• Personal accident
• Buildings and contents
• Travel

Our advisers will help you try and reduce your costs or improve security for you and your family