https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog daily 0.75 2025-06-19 https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/business-protection-covering-yourself-against-more-hidden-risks-bw67z monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524403-A023Z2KKKWCXGFSLHGQL/AdobeStock_261524490_edited2.jpg Blog - Business protection - Business Protection: Covering yourself against more hidden risks Encountering risk is an inescapable part of what it means to run a business and while this makes for an uncomfortable truth for people at the more cautious end of the spectrum, for many entrepreneurs it is precisely this dynamic that unlocks the possibility of growth.Just ask Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin empire, who says the luckiest people and businesses are “those that are prepared to take the greatest risks”.But suppose risk taking is acknowledged as an underlying factor in commercial success. In that case, it is equally important to consider how it can be managed and how its potential impact can be minimised for a business to optimise its operational resilience. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/scam-savvy-protecting-yourself-against-investment-fraud-ja84m monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525187-FHZWCJ2XG0YYP0CSTJIC/AdobeStock_792659278_edited.jpg Blog - Scam savvy: Protecting yourself against investment fraud - Scam savy: Protecting yourself against investment fraud At some point in our lives, most of us will have been reminded of the old adage that if something is too good to be true, then it usually is. It might not be the most optimistic motto, but it can offer effective protection against the disappointment that follows when promises, having raised our expectations, are revealed as empty and sadly, those empty promises can sometimes carry costly implications from both an emotional and a financial point of view. This is certainly true in the case of investment fraud, where unwitting investors are conned into placing their trust in an illegitimate business or unscrupulous individual. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/mortgage-outlook-evaluating-the-impact-of-falling-inflation-5lg3m monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524989-MMEL1BQQJASVNPPGIDUQ/AdobeStock_284322546_edited.jpg Blog - Mortgage outlook: Evaluating the impact of falling inflation - Evaluating the impact of falling inflation A cost-of-living crisis coupled with changeable borrowing conditions have made it a financially unsettling few years for property owners, with some facing rising mortgage costs and increased pressure on household income. And with the Bank of England deciding to hold interest rates at 5.25% in June 2024, questions have arisen regarding when and if this situation might ease. In this article, we look at the interplay between inflation, interest rates and mortgage costs, reflecting on the rollercoaster of recent times and looking at how the situation might evolve in the months and years ahead. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/early-access-considerations-for-taking-your-pension-prior-to-retirement-t25wm monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524586-B5DW114RPWP302OJF64Q/AdobeStock_234281561_1000.jpg Blog - Early access: Considerations for taking your pension prior to retirement - Considerations for taking your pension prior to retirement Predicting your financial situation in later life is not an easy task. It’s a tricky equation that balances expectations around your level of income with predictions of your likely expenditure. A major influence on this equation is the point at which you retire. For many, retirement is the date in the future that marks a significant change in your personal finances, no longer being able to rely on a regular source of income from an employer. It is the time when savings, pensions and other assets that have been building in the background take on a more prominent role. But there is evidence to suggest that the majority of people are not waiting until retirement to access the savings they have accumulated over the course of their lifetime. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/from-vulnerable-to-knowledgeable-managing-your-wealth-from-an-empowered-position-mdhft monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524706-9FT9TLS1H2PEKMYENNPC/AdobeStock_494079952_1000.jpg Blog - From vulnerable to knowledgeable: Managing your wealth from an empowered position - Managing your wealth from an empowered position Wealth, just like trust, is often hard earned. The majority of people will spend their lives working, earning, saving and investing so that they can enjoy the rewards in later years.But, in another parallel with trust, wealth can also be easily lost. Whether through misjudgment or because they have been misled, individuals can sometimes find themselves burdened with unexpected financial problems, which have the potential to cause knock-on effects that are felt at a more personal level.With this possibility in mind, it is all the more important for decisions about money to be made from a position of knowledge and, therefore, power. As a customer, you should feel that you fully understand the situation in front of you and the implications of any choices you make. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/new-tax-year-a-guide-to-key-changes-for-2024-2025-8cfbm monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525013-QWDCKSFF9SBDC53GBQCF/AdobeStock_430788688_1000-e1718097035292.jpg Blog - New tax year: A guide to key changes for 2024/2025 - A guide to key changes for 2024/2025 The end of the tax year is typically a trigger for a flurry of financial activity. The hard deadline of 5 April inevitably sharpens minds on budgets, income, allowances and liabilities. But with the dawning of a new day on 6 April comes the beginning of a new tax year. This is not only a chance for slates to be wiped clean but also a chance to give thought to incoming policy changes and how they might impact on your personal finances. With several such changes flagged by the Chancellor in recent budgets, here we provide an overview of some of the key areas of change to look out for in the 2024/2025 tax year. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/probate-and-iht-helping-families-avoid-the-financial-trap-9ntl7 monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525049-QMAF4346TYBGEJDP6GOB/AdobeStock_137325555_1000.jpg Blog - Probate and IHT: Helping families avoid the financial trap - Helping families avoid the financial trap The certainties of death and taxes, as famously articulated by Benjamin Franklin, point to the fact that everyone is likely to experience grief at some point in their lives.How we react is deeply personal, but there are said to be five principal emotional ‘stages’: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.In recent years, many people in this situation will also be familiar with feelings of frustration as a result of well-documented delays in the probate system.Probate, in a nutshell, is the official approval to manage the process of distributing the assets, belongings and wealth of someone who has died – known as their estate. In many cases, this process will be carried out by one or more executors according to the wishes set out in the deceased’s will.However, probate can only be entered into after an application has been approved by the Probate Service, run by HM Courts and Tribunals Service, and this system has been beset by delays. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/budget-2024-summary-of-key-points-8bty3 monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524385-NP36RIFKXGLYKTYODO9X/AdobeStock_425252789_1000.jpg Blog - Budget 2024: Summary of key points - Budget 2024: Summary of key points When Budget Day approaches, excitement builds around the contents of the speech contained within the Chancellor’s famous red dispatch box. In 2023, the Autumn Statement was preceded by a lot of noise around possible cuts to Inheritance Tax, which ultimately failed to materialise. This Spring, the expectation was that Chancellor Hunt might make headline-grabbing, voter-friendly changes in what was the last Budget before a General Election. But, again, the forecasts were not all entirely on the mark. Not only was the topic of Inheritance Tax avoided, but the Chancellor also declined to make any changes in relation to either Income Tax bands or Income Tax rates. There were, however, plenty of other changes, with potential implications for people in work, parents, small businesses, owners of multiple properties, and those not domiciled in the UK.Key measures included: https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/questions-to-consider-about-pensions-and-inheritance-ykhnc monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525083-9KTHZB7WZ65LP3EYDFT3/AdobeStock_288350522_1000.jpg Blog - Questions to consider about pensions and inheritance - Pensions and inheritance After decades of working and saving hard, many people understandably look forward to the idea of enjoying the rewards during a long and comfortable retirement.But sadly, life can sometimes have other plans, which can lead to far less comfortable questions about what happens to your pension savings after you die. How will your wealth be passed on? What are the implications for those set to inherit? Will they be forced to deal with unexpected tax liabilities?For anyone yet to consider these issues within their financial planning, there are some important points that can be helpful to factor into your thinking. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/overcoming-retirement-anxiety-to-face-your-financial-future-with-confidence-ylph3 monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525031-06RHUJJC6R5216XHF1WG/Retirement-Anxiety_1000.jpg Blog - Overcoming retirement anxiety: Facing your financial future with confidence - Facing your financial future with confidence Despite spending much of our working lives aiming towards retirement, for many people, it is a destination shrouded in mystery.After all, not everyone has a clear idea of when they will get there or what it will look like when they do.This is down to the fact that retirement is dependent on a number of important variables, not least our personal finances. Over time, our ability to balance earnings and outgoings with savings and investments has a major influence on the strength of the financial foundations we set down for later life.Any changes to these elements, including unexpected financial shocks, can have a knock-on effect for decisions about the timing and the type of lifestyle we can expect to enjoy in retirement. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/sticking-to-your-financial-resolutions-for-2024-kcscj monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525243-V81KSVBJLNSEDJW9B73G/AdobeStock_680730899_1000.jpg Blog - Sticking to your financial resolutions for 2024 - Sticking to your financial resolutions for 2024 If your New Year began with the promise to make positive change in relation to your health, you are not alone.As many as 62% of Britons were thought to have made a commitment to improving their physical wellbeing in 2024, making it the most common type of New Year’s resolution, according to one survey.Second place on the resolution priority list, meanwhile, was reserved for money matters, highlighting how people are keen to get their finances – as well as their physique – in good order for the year ahead.While setting financial objectives might be regarded as comparatively simple, it can be a highly involved task. And, like many admirable ambitions to make it from couch to 5k, it’s easy for targets to fall by the wayside if you are not set up to succeed. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/autumn-statement-overview-of-key-announcements-ne576 monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524368-Z0X5CKQHSA62QD3XCRLA/AdobeStock_87381277_1000.jpg Blog - Autumn Statement: Overview of key announcements - Autumn Statement: Overview of key announcements While much-anticipated cuts to inheritance tax and income tax failed to materialise, the Autumn Statement did contain more than 100 measures designed to “raise business investment, get more people into work, reduce inflation next year and increase GDP”.Here, we provide an overview of the key points from Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s speech to the House of Commons on 22 November, including changes to ISAs, pensions and business investment.The full details on the autumn statement are available on the Government website. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/good-to-talk-opening-up-on-the-tricky-topic-of-family-inheritance-bht74 monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524722-S0LRBRQ4PRANUSWH945M/AdobeStock_357614796_1000.jpg Blog - Good to talk: Opening up on the tricky topic of family inheritance - Opening up on the tricky topic of family inheritance While sometimes a source of frustration, family can for many people also provide an important source of strength, structure and purpose in life. For older generations, a potentially important strand to this notion is the ability to support younger generations through the passing on of wealth, either during your lifetime or in the form of inheritance. Recently, the subject of financial legacy has been brought into sharp focus by the suggestion that we are on the cusp of a major inter-generational shift in wealth. This theory is rooted in the fact that Baby Boomers, born in the wake of the Second World War, are now typically well into retirement and facing decisions in the coming years around passing on their wealth to children, grandchildren and other family members. The generalised view of the Baby Boomer generation is that they have prospered on the back of decades of economic growth and rising property prices. In the US, one estimate suggests this accumulation of wealth has left individuals of this age with a mean net worth of somewhere between £799,000 and £989,000, making for a substantial legacy.In the UK, it is thought this could lead to more than £5.5 trillion being passed on to younger generations in the decades ahead – a sum that is almost three times annual GDP. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/fair-share-prioritising-pensions-during-a-divorce-dtmml monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524649-ZNQQC3PZ14M5TMLZOBRL/Divorcing-Older-COuple-_1000.jpg Blog - Fair share: Prioritising pensions during a divorce - Fair share: Prioritising pensions during a divorce Whether or not it ranks above moving house or losing your job, there is no doubt that going through a divorce is among the most stressful experiences that life can throw at you.Even when the circumstances are not acrimonious, the ramifications of a decision to separate can be incredibly difficult for those directly involved, as well as for their friends and family. Amid all the emotional upheaval, it is understandable that financial matters might not necessarily be front of mind, but recent research has highlighted how a failure to consider important assets can lead to divorce settlements being made along uneven monetary lines. According to the study by Which?, as many as seven in ten (71%) divorcing couples did not include pensions in their financial settlement. This comes despite pension savings making up the largest proportion of a household’s net wealth (42%), ahead of property (36%), financial savings (13%) and physical belongings (9%). https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/right-first-time-three-routes-into-home-ownership-7fswp monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525162-5XS19BCCLOC9YNZHVVR0/AdobeStock_265114392_1000.jpg Blog - Right first time: Three routes into home ownership - Three routes into home ownership Getting onto the property ladder can be an overwhelming experience.Aside from the large-scale financial commitment, there are the highs of excitement and hope as well as the possible lows of frustration and disappointment. On top of that, there is the need to engage in multi-stakeholder communications involving lenders, sellers, agents, surveyors, legal teams and others, all of which can make for a complicated process fraught with stress.For the first-time buyers of today, changeable market conditions are adding an extra layer of complexity into this mix: interest rates have climbed above 5% after languishing below 1% for more than a decade, uncertainty surrounds the future of mortgage rates, and house prices are falling from record highs.On top of this, first-time buyers across most of the UK can no longer rely on the support of the Help to Buy scheme. Launched by then Chancellor George Osborne in 2013, Help to Buy provided access to five-year, interest-free equity loans to support the purchase of new-build housing. With only the requirement to find a 5% deposit, it provided a helpful lift onto the property ladder for many who would otherwise not have been able to afford such a move.On March 31st this year the scheme finally closed in all parts of the UK apart from Wales (where it has been extended to 2025), leaving first-time buyers who are struggling with affordability to seek alternative sources of support. Here, we look at some of the potential routes to consider. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/rising-interest-turning-attention-to-cash-strategies-in-wake-of-rate-hikes-4l2nl monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525170-RX9G9R1YGROY76K423R7/AdobeStock_593238930_1000.jpg Blog - Rising interest: Turning attention to cash strategies in wake of rate hikes - Turning attention to cash strategies in wake of rate hikes For a prolonged period, rock-bottom interest rates meant securing returns from money held in current and savings accounts has been a challenging task.While some will have been rewarded for adopting a more proactive approach to cash management, any funds left dormant will have generated interest at a level probably best described as lower-than-hoped-for.After a series of rises in the Official Bank Rate, however, cash has taken on an altogether different perspective. Today, many people in the UK who have built up reserves find themselves in the unexpected and unfamiliar situation where they can potentially generate more generous returns from cash than they have been able to in the recent past. For these savers, interest just got a lot more interesting. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/legacy-planning-in-the-face-of-rising-inheritance-tax-liabilities-j2dgr monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524926-IB484V3YUATUYWEG8XEJ/AdobeStock_273846649_1000.jpg Blog - Legacy planning in the face of rising inheritance tax liabilities - Rising inheritance tax liabilities The idea of passing your wealth to loved ones after you’ve gone seems a relatively simple wish, but it is one that can also come with complications.In cases where legacy plans are not thought through in detail, or where they are not kept up to date, unprepared family members can find themselves having to deal with a potentially difficult financial situation after the death of a family member.One of the major factors at play here is inheritance tax. Formalised with its current name in the Finance Act of 1986, inheritance tax has been a fixture of the UK taxation system for more than a century, although the concept of a duty payable on personal estates after death stretches back as far as the probate duty on wills in 1694.Today, inheritance tax is paid to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) when the value of the estate (the property, money and possessions) of the deceased individual exceeds the threshold of £325,000, known as the nil-rate band. Tax is typically charged at the rate of 40% in relation to the part of your estate above this threshold.This threshold can increase to £500,000 if you are giving away your main residence to children, including adopted, foster or stepchildren, or grandchildren. This is known as the residence nil-rate band. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/raising-the-bar-new-consumer-duty-rules-come-into-force-mbrnw monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525091-OM09U4CB1U8SDX4T1XGG/Consumer-Duty_1000.jpg Blog - Raising the bar: New Consumer Duty rules come into force - New Consumer Duty rules come into force There are very few people working within the UK financial services industry who would not have been aware that 31st July 2023 was a significant milestone.This was the day the long-awaited Consumer Duty rules came into force, aiming to “set a higher standard of consumer protection in financial services”, according to industry regulator the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Commentators have variously described the introduction of the Duty as “a true step change”, the advent of “a brave new world”, and the biggest regulatory shake-up in a decade.And yet the audience set to benefit from this shift most – consumers of financial services products – can be forgiven if the 31st July milestone passed them by. Research has shown that just a third (33%) of clients receiving financial advice were aware of the rules ahead of their implementation.Awareness and understanding will undoubtedly grow as the Consumer Duty becomes more embedded, but to summarise the core premise, the rules demand that firms are honest in their dealings with customers, helping them avoid harm and supporting them in pursuing their financial goals.For consumers, this objective will manifest itself in three key ways: getting the support you need, when you need it; receiving communications you understand; and accessing products and services that meet your needs and offer fair value. A complete list of the promises that financial services providers must adhere to under the Consumer Duty rules is available on the FCA website. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/mortgage-rates-property-ownership-in-a-higher-interest-era-ss2y5 monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524997-9ZRQ5AR8GKTFTUGZM5RL/AdobeStock_603528617_1000.jpg Blog - Mortgage rates: Property ownership in a higher-interest era - Property ownership in a higher-interest era Rising interest rates might have given savers cause for celebration in recent times, but the mood has not necessarily been as positive among those funding a property investment.In July, the average interest rate on a two-year fixed mortgage deal hit 6.66%, edging past the previous peak registered in the wake of the Truss-Kwarteng Mini-budget in September 2022. In doing so, it reached the highest level in the 15 years since the 2008 financial crisis.While many borrowers were hopeful that a subsequent dip in rates was a sign of further falls to come, it was not to be the case. Data from financial information provider Moneyfacts later revealed further fractional rises for both two-year and five-year fixes.This fluctuating situation has left many homeowners, would-be homeowners and landlords in a difficult situation, reflecting on what is happening in the mortgage market and, crucially, trying to work out ‘what will happen next?’ https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/isa-overview-tax-efficient-options-for-savings-and-investment-k7w6n monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524918-LYTH3LE6MTT90R321LVE/AdobeStock_573875946_1000.jpg Blog - ISA Overview: Tax-efficient options for savings and investment - ISA Overview: Tax-efficient options for savings and investment Despite the advance warnings in the media, the Bank of England’s decision to ratchet up the official Bank Rate by half a percentage point in June was a move that still prompted a ripple of surprise.Consistent increases over the past 18 months have now pushed the interest rate to a level that has not been seen since 2008 – a time when the world was in the midst of a financial crisis and today’s average first-time buyer would have been just 17 years old.For many people, therefore, a world where interest rates are fixed above 1% is both unfamiliar and uncomfortable territory. Not only does inflation – the catalyst behind rate rises – continue to push the cost of living ever higher, but banks and building societies are also increasing the cost of borrowing. The net result is that many households face the possibility of an unwelcome jump in mortgage costs at the same time as they are grappling with weakened spending power.In the face of this squeeze, those with cash reserves are understandably looking to make their wealth work as hard as possible and to get the maximum benefit from higher savings rates.This can be seen in the fact that a net amount of £4.6bn was withdrawn from banks and building societies in May, according to figures from the Bank of England, which is reported to be the largest amount since records began. While some of this total will no doubt be directed towards higher household costs, billions are also being filtered into Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) as investors look to take a tax-efficient approach to optimising returns. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/best-of-both-worlds-the-growing-appeal-of-semi-retirement-eftne monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524377-RXXZVX0FU4Q1XE2K1H96/AdobeStock_450927396_1000.jpg Blog - Best of both worlds? The growing appeal of semi-retirement - Best of both worlds? The growing appeal of semi-retirement Until relatively recently, the question of your age of retirement could be met with a relatively straightforward answer. For more than half a century, the State Pension age was fixed at 65 for men and 60 for women, and these milestones were commonly regarded as an exit point from employment.Today, not only is the State Pension subject to forthcoming changes, but the entire notion of retirement is being re-evaluated altogether. Reaching State Pension age is no longer regarded as the finishing-line on a full-time career, with many people taking a more flexible approach and considering how work and life can best be balanced in later years.In this article, we look at the trend of semi-retirement, exploring its popularity among those approaching retirement and looking at some of the important financial considerations involved. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/income-protection-shielding-yourself-from-the-financial-impact-of-poor-health-fsm4j monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524834-G2FAV4EUZNJ8I1LL6TVA/Income-Protection-Family.jpg Blog - Income protection: Shielding yourself from the financial impact of poor health - Income protection: Shielding yourself from the financial impact of poor health On 6 May 2023, more than three years after the outbreak of the pandemic, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus announced that Covid-19 would no longer be recognised as a public health emergency of international concern.While an important milestone, this official ‘declassification’ falls in line with a broader narrative of de-escalation around the virus. In the UK, for example, the ‘living with Covid’ strategy had already put a pause on some official data gathering activities and the cancellation of the NHS Covid app had put an end to the risk of ‘getting pinged’.Despite receding from prominence, however, there is clear evidence of Covid-19’s ongoing threat to our health. This is not only from the continued direct risk of infection, but also in terms of the associated difficulties many are facing in the wake of the pandemic, including long-Covid and poor mental health. Indeed, research by Mind has found that around a third of adults and young people report that their mental health is much worse since March 2020.For some, this decline, whether triggered by the pandemic or other forces, can have damaging knock-on effects. Indeed, the Chartered Institute of Professional Development (CIPD) has identified mental ill health as the leading factor behind long-term employee absence, with 57% of employers citing it among their top three causes. This was above musculoskeletal injuries, such as neck strain and back pain, which was included by 46%, and stress, which was included by 38%. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/retirement-planning-mind-your-national-insurance-gaps-46xhg monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525127-18P2XCJFEUG66QMXEOQR/Retirement-NI-Gaps_1000.jpg Blog - Retirement planning: Mind your National Insurance gaps - Retirement planning: Mind your National Insurance gaps Among the milestones that define your later years, reaching pensionable age is one of the most significant.For those who have not already left the world of work behind, it can officially mark the transition into retirement and the chance to begin a new phase of life. By definition, it can also open the door to a stream of income via the State Pension.It is important to note, however, that there are no absolute guarantees. The new State Pension is not a fixed amount, universally distributed to anyone who reaches pensionable age. Indeed, whether you qualify and how much you will receive directly depends on the number of ‘qualifying years’ of National Insurance contributions (NICs) that you have accrued.The new State Pension was introduced on 6 April 2016. To get any State Pension at all, you need to have at least ten qualifying years on your National Insurance record. These do not need to be recorded consecutively. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/mind-the-advice-gap-why-not-all-financial-advice-is-the-same-9xa9w monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524972-815QFHXVT0FQU1WH9QVX/AdobeStock_300406822_1000.jpg Blog - Mind the advice gap: Why not all financial advice is the same - Mind the advice gap: Why not all financial advice is the same Whether it’s borrowing a large sum to support a house purchase or putting enough money away to support your retirement, life is full of big financial decisions.Perhaps it is surprising then that not everyone will always make such decisions from a well-informed position. Indeed, almost two-thirds (64%) of UK adults with savings, investments or a mortgage surveyed on behalf of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) confessed to not having sought regulated financial advice within five years.There are further eye-opening insights from the research, which serves to highlight the huge variation in attitudes, behaviours and knowledge that exist when it comes to accessing information about financial products. These differences are driven by a range of factors, from the geographic to the generational, and here we take a look behind some of the headline findings. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/capital-gains-and-dividend-income-tax-year-end-heralds-reduction-in-annual-allowances-aeel5 monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524444-NJOZ11ZN3LQQR7MH5UPX/AdobeStock_536674292_1000.jpeg Blog - Capital gains and dividend income: Tax-year end heralds reduction in annual allowances - Capital gains and dividend income: Tax-year end heralds reduction in annual allowances The end of the tax year on 5 April is a date etched into many people’s minds. With annual tax allowances reset the following day, this hard deadline presents a ‘use it or lose it’ scenario.In 2023, further urgency has been added to the tax-year end given that a number of previously announced changes to the system will be coming into effect from 6 April. In this article, we look at some of those changes, highlighting what they could mean for your wealth and what actions you might be able to take to mitigate their impact. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/tax-year-end-an-essential-overview-of-pension-allowances-cxmk3 monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525294-UBQPP9R35TRPUU280KFY/AdobeStock_428958666_1000_2.jpg Blog - Tax-year end: An essential overview of pension allowances - Tax-year end: An essential overview of pension allowances Just as the end-of-January self-assessment deadline fades from view, another date in the HMRC calendar comes hurtling into focus: the end of the tax year on 5 April.As this important fiscal milestone approaches, many will be prompted to review their tax affairs, ensuring they are making the most of the annual allowances and reliefs available while not incurring any unwelcome or unexpected charges. In this article, we explore the role of pension contributions, highlighting some of the key points to consider as the tax-year end approaches. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/family-matters-generous-ways-to-support-younger-generations-rkx5f monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524658-33UR50NBU9EJFOM3UUH6/BOGAG-Family-1000.jpg Blog - Family matters: Generous ways to support younger generations - Generous ways to support younger generations Turning to older generations for financial support is not a new phenomenon. However, there is evidence that the current cost-of-living crisis has increased the likelihood that family and friends are receiving financial assistance from their nearest and dearest. We explored this trend in a previous article, looking at how an estimated 4.3 million retired people – known as the Bank of Gran and Grandad – are providing help by passing on the wealth within their savings and investments. Specifically, we focused on the issue of gifting and some of the tax considerations that arise in relation to this method of wealth transfer. While gifting can offer many benefits, particularly where there is an immediate need, it is not the only route open to grandparents who are keen to give financial help to their children and grandchildren. In this article we look at some of the alternative options for investing in the futures of younger generations. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/family-matters-grandparents-step-up-financial-support-in-cost-of-living-crisis-4ztfd monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524666-VXHTGV1N5AHM2LIEEZFY/AdobeStock_351659292_1000.jpg Blog - Family matters: Grandparents step up financial support in cost-of-living crisis - Family matters: Grandparents step up financial support in cost-of-living crisis Whether we’re struggling with an issue related to our health, wealth or happiness, in times of crisis, our loved ones are typically the first people we turn to for help.This has certainly been the case during the cost-of-living crisis, with huge numbers receiving financial assistance from those closest to them. Indeed, research from the LV= Wealth and Wellbeing Monitor found that more than 20 million UK adults provided financial help to family and friends in the first six months of 2022 as prices for energy, food and fuel soared. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/autumn-statement-2022-a-summary-of-key-changes-l9m5l monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524360-AIFPWGGH2IEWI3RTUKD0/Autumn-Statement_1000.jpg Blog - Autumn Statement 2022: A summary of key changes - Autumn Statement 2022: A summary of key changes Context, they say, is everything. It was certainly at the forefront of Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s mind when he delivered the Autumn Statement to the House of Commons on 17 November.Before making any policy announcements, the Chancellor heavily underlined the prevailing conditions in the global economic landscape. He referenced the spectre of recession. He spoke of the war in Ukraine’s role in pushing energy and food prices higher. He highlighted its contribution to a sustained period of inflation, which central banks are seeking to control through interest rate rises. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/income-protection-finding-an-answer-to-uncomfortable-questions-wfak4 monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524825-2EVR7X4UGDBE9HA2LT7F/AdobeStock_176767160_1000.jpg Blog - Income protection: Finding an answer to uncomfortable questions - Income protection: Finding an answer to uncomfortable questions If you’ve ever taken a moment to imagine your life as a lottery winner, then you’ll know how good our brains can be at painting vivid, happy images of the future. Conversely, they are not so good at envisaging life’s more uncomfortable realities. When faced with these situations, a primal survival instinct kicks in and we automatically shut the idea down or deny the fact that it might happen to us. It’s effectively a hardwired mechanism to protect ourselves against scenarios that scare us.Prior to the Spring of 2022, for example, few people would have given serious thought to the likelihood of their monthly wage being threatened by a global pandemic. And yet, almost overnight, many businesses found themselves in precarious financial positions and millions of employees found themselves being supported by the furlough scheme. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/extending-your-property-investment-reach-with-bridging-finance-yh8gx monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524641-49BG9Z889HU7PN14WVOS/AdobeStock_162859390_1000.jpg Blog - Extending your property investment reach with bridging finance - Extending your property investment reach with bridging finance In a competitive property market, when good opportunities arise, it can sometimes be a case of blink and you’ve missed it.For residential and commercial markets alike, the imbalance between supply and demand means the window of time to secure a desirable investment can be narrow – and it can also quickly slam shut. Move too slowly and, in some cases, the satisfaction of sealing a deal is replaced by the frustration at just missing out.This goes some way to explaining the growing interest in bridging finance in recent years. Bridging finance is designed to provide a short-term funding ‘bridge’ between longer-term borrowing arrangements. There are many instances where it can be beneficial (see below), and many are linked to providing more immediate tactical funding in the context of wider strategic objectives.In the first quarter of 2022, the value of bridging loans increased by 8.5% year-on-year, according to data from Bridging Trends. Borrowers cited the purchase of an investment property as the main reason behind accessing bridging finance, ahead of funding a chain break. The average loan term was clocked at 12 months and average completion time at 53 days. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/reversing-the-mini-budget-where-do-things-stand-now-tnmkj monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525136-H4G3N75JT9GEYDX2GKJP/AdobeStock_135169507_1000.jpg Blog - Reversing the Mini-Budget: Where do things stand now? - Reversing the Mini-Budget: Where do things stand now? It used to be that a week was a long time in politics. As recent events have shown, however, there is plenty that can happen in the space of just a few days.On October 17, a mere 72 hours after replacing Kwasi Kwarteng as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt made a statement in the House of Commons that outlined a raft of significant changes to the fiscal policies introduced by his predecessor. The speech reversed many of the marquee announcements from the Growth Plan – known as the mini-Budget – which had been delivered to the House less than a month earlier.Chancellor Hunt said the series of dramatic U-turns was made “to ensure there is trust and confidence in our national finances” in the face of negative reaction to the mini-Budget from global markets.Vintage previously provided a summary of the key announcements from the mini-Budget, and here we clarify the changes that have since been confirmed by Chancellor Hunt. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/business-protection-managing-the-risk-of-losing-a-key-person-d5bdg monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524434-BP4S9FAJCK3YVZYQ557O/AdobeStock_445858977_1000.jpg Blog - Business protection: Managing the risk of losing a key person - Business protection: Managing the risk of losing a key person Ask any employer what they value most within their business and one response is guaranteed to crop up again and again: their people.And amid the current battle for talent, the value that employees – and particularly good employees – can bring to a business has only been amplified.For example, data from the Office for National Statistics underlines the difficult dynamic in today’s recruitment market, where vacancy postings are at sustained highs, unemployment rates remain low, and employment rates are pushing new records. On top of this, there is a continued flow of experienced workers leaving the labour market, all of which translates into fierce competition for high-quality candidates. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/mini-budget-summary-of-key-announcements-7dhrt monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524981-1UUD5WX1FQBY0UWG8CM2/Kwasi-Kwarteng-Crop.png Blog - Mini-Budget: Summary of key announcements - Mini-Budget: Summary of key announcements Just 17 days after being appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, Kwasi Kwarteng set out his Growth Plan to the House of Commons on September 23.It was labelled a mini-Budget, but the Chancellor’s first intervention on fiscal policy has been the source of major discussion.Here, we provide an overview of the key points. UPDATE: On October 17, a number of mini-Budget policy U-turns were announced by Jeremy Hunt, who had earlier replaced Kwasi Kwarteng as Chancellor. These are detailed in a separate article.UPDATE: On October 3, the Government announced it would not in fact be proceeding with the abolition of the 45p tax rate as previously indicated in the Growth Plan. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/putting-clients-first-an-overview-of-the-incoming-consumer-duty-wsl5t monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525075-EAWDN7H9YNZ0SYD1L4YV/AdobeStock_357260090_1000.jpg Blog - Putting clients first: An overview of the incoming Consumer Duty - Putting clients first: An overview of the incoming Consumer Duty For many people, hearing the word ‘duty’ when discussing financial matters can conjure up connotations of taxes rather than its alternative sense as a moral obligation or responsibility.But the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is playing its part in changing this situation with the introduction of the Consumer Duty – a new set of rules designed to enhance levels of consumer protection and customer service for anyone investing in retail financial products, services or support.In this article, we provide an overview of what the Consumer Duty is, why it is being introduced, and what – if anything – it will mean for clients. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/statement-regarding-the-death-of-queen-elizabeth-ii-4mlx6 monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/rates-on-the-rise-whats-happening-with-interest-rates-ss3ye monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525111-U1QRVV6O8MGUQSH0PK4Q/AdobeStock_376646128_1000.jpg Blog - Rates on the rise: What’s happening with interest rates? - Rates on the rise: What’s happening with interest rates? Despite its name, the interest rate is not something that always attracts a great deal of attention or discussion.And yet the Bank of England’s decision in August 2022 to raise the interest rate to 1.75% was the trigger for a burst of immediate reaction as well as a long tail of analysis, opinion and conjecture.Following on from our recent article looking at rising rates of inflation, this article reflects on what’s happening with interest rates and what could happen next. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/rates-on-the-rise-whats-happening-with-inflation-retml monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525099-NETQ2SD6M7BNR7FAXAST/VWM-Inflation-Retail-Grocery_1000.jpg Blog - Rates on the rise: What’s happening with inflation? - Rates on the rise: What’s happening with inflation? In the midst of a so-called Cost of Living Crisis, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by what feels like a constant barrage of headlines about price rises.References to inflation are seemingly relentless, charting increases in everything from the fuel going into our cars to the food going into our trolleys – all of which has a direct impact on the money in our bank accounts.So, with inflation hitting 10.1% in July - its highest level for 40 years - here we look at what’s happening and consider what’s likely to happen next. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525102-S1XICSDZ5A0GW92EMAVJ/BoE-CPI-Projection.jpg Blog - Rates on the rise: What’s happening with inflation? - Credit: Bank of England CPI Inflation projection https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/cash-management-in-volatile-times-5cggc monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524470-A676DKT9UD40PJMWTXU3/CashManagement_1000.jpg Blog - Cash Management in volatile times - Cash Management in volatile times In a period of prolonged turbulence driven by a series of major global events, it’s understandable for people to take solace in the adage that ‘cash is king’.Our financial resilience, first unexpectedly tested by the pandemic, has been further stretched by rising inflation and escalating costs triggered partly by the conflict in Ukraine. This has forced many into a rethink of how their finances are positioned, and how well-placed they are to protect their businesses, their families and themselves into the unknowns of the future.In this context, the appeal of a building up a strong cash balance is clear. Indeed, Bank of England data shows that in the 12 months following the outbreak of the pandemic in March 2020, the total savings deposited by Britons rose by £180 billion from £1.5 trillion to £1.68 trillion. Separately, corporate cash holdings rose by £152bn, or 29%, between the end of 2019 and October 2021.However, calculations carried out by the Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR) on behalf of Shawbrook reveal that SME firms alone are leaving £4.2 billion in extra interest on the table each year by not managing their cash more effectively.Here, we look at the key considerations for savers who find themselves in a stronger cash position. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/trustees-reminded-of-registration-responsibilities-as-hmrc-deadline-looms-hm9aa monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525434-3EKZAO2T5OK35XPLYXL2/Trust-Registration-Deadline-1000.jpg Blog - Trustees reminded of registration responsibilities as HMRC deadline looms - Trustees reminded of registration responsibilities as HMRC deadline looms Only a few weeks remain for trustees to meet the deadline to register details of their trust with the government as part of expanded trustee reporting requirements.By 1 September 2022, most trusts are required to be registered with HM Revenue & Customs via the Trust Registration Service (TRS).The deadline forms part of recent changes that are expected to significantly expand the number of trusts registered with HMRC. This article provides an overview of the rule changes and what trustees need to do to ensure their compliance. For further guidance, please contact the Vintage Wealth Management expert advisory team. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/wills-and-probate-creating-a-family-friendly-financial-plan-for-the-future-ndnh7 monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525501-A84VHTQLMY0GJKNWUJ03/AdobeStock_303823501_1000.jpg Blog - Wills and probate: Creating a family-friendly financial plan for the future - Wills and probate: Creating a family-friendly financial plan for the future In a busy world, our energies are normally focused on working through an extensive daily to-do list rather than spent contemplating our own mortality.But then, the last few years have been anything but normal. The intense experience of Covid-19, with its inescapable soundtrack of uncomfortable news headlines, provided a sad and stark reminder of the fact that death comes to us all eventually.Having pushed people into a position of contemplation, many were then driven to action, with a spike in will writing reported following the onset of the pandemic. This is reinforced by data from the UK Wills, Probate & Trusts Market Report 2022, produced by IRN Research, which points to strong growth in will writing in the prior 12 months. It suggests furthermore that this momentum will continue, swelling the will-writing market to a value of £2.4bn by 2025.Separate research from Legal & General indicates that Covid-19’s influence on will writing was felt most keenly by those in younger age groups (who are less likely to already have a will in place). The insurer found that more than a fifth (22%) of respondents aged 16-24 strongly agreed that their perspective on will writing had changed since the pandemic. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/business-protection-making-sure-your-key-assets-are-covered-4p8rz monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524424-LDMFQMPO49PRFKYBGGR4/AdobeStock_348215929_1000_2.jpg Blog - Business protection: Making sure your key assets are covered - Business protection: Making sure your key assets are covered Before March 2020, few people in the UK could honestly admit to having heard of the word furlough, let alone using it in their everyday conversations.But eight months later, such was the meteoric rise of this previously obscure term that it was named a Word of the Year by the Oxford English Dictionary.Our embrace of ‘furlough’ – which is descended from a German military description of a soldier’s approved absence from duty – is linked to its role as a lifeline for many individuals and businesses facing the unprecedented personal and financial shock of the pandemic. Today, with the worst of those times behind us, the word might have dropped out of our vocabulary again, but there is evidence that it has left a lasting mark.Through the need for schemes such as furlough, businesses have been awakened to the real possibility of sudden, major disruption and how this could impact their ability to trade. As such, they are placing renewed emphasis on continuity, resilience and risk mitigation - processes that encompass consideration of many hypothetical scenarios, such as what would happen if employees in pivotal roles were suddenly unavailable to work? https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/retirement-planning-awards-7tbgz monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525118-3VNQ6XZAL790FS8H7LDN/Retirement-Planning-Awards.png Blog - Retirement Planning Awards https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/tax-changes-how-efficient-investing-can-limit-your-liabilities-8zms7 monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525278-PM4YE3ZFO4J77W22SREH/AdobeStock_382016222_1000.jpg Blog - Tax changes: How efficient investing can limit your liabilities - Tax changes: How efficient investing can limit your liabilities On March 23, Chancellor Rishi Sunak presented his Spring Statement in the House of Commons.Not typically a platform for the introduction of major changes, this year’s announcement was slightly different thanks to the financial undercurrents swirling around the UK economy – including an estimated £410bn legacy from government measures taken to tackle the pandemic.Back in March, barely a month into the war in Ukraine, households were already being hit by spiralling costs for energy, fuel and other items. Inflation had just increased to 6.2% and was building momentum towards its current level of 9% - the highest it has been for 40 years.The Chancellor’s announcement outlined several changes, including confirmation of the previously announced 1.25% rise in National Insurance Contributions in the form of the Health and Social Care Levy. A number of other rates and thresholds were left untouched. The net result was that millions were left facing up to the duality of an increased tax burden from April as well as a squeeze on their wealth in real terms because of inflationary pressures.Here, we look at some of those key changes and the steps you can take from a tax-planning perspective to maximise available reliefs and reduce your liabilities. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/legacy-thinking-estate-preservation-and-reducing-your-iht-burden-m7r2s monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524935-1O8SKCYWVRA3MKXDWH5R/AdobeStock_228242503_1000.jpg Blog - Legacy thinking: Estate preservation and reducing your IHT burden - Legacy thinking: Estate preservation and reducing your IHT burden Despite having the ring of a phrase coined by Charles Dickens, estate preservation is a subject that is very definitely relevant for our modern times.This term describes the process of assessing, managing and protecting your wealth and assets while you are alive, while putting the necessary plans and measures in place to ensure they will be dealt with according to your wishes after you die or become incapacitated.Today, various factors are conspiring to make estate preservation an important area of focus for anyone concerned about their financial legacy. With shrewd planning, it can mean maximising the support provided to loved ones and only meeting the tax obligations that fit with your circumstances. Without appropriate forethought, it can mean a greater share of your wealth is filtered through to the government unnecessarily through tax or that inheritance is not allocated in the way you would choose. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/three-key-questions-to-help-inform-an-investment-strategy-pr8aw monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525425-HW7ZVARZND0NGO0CN0MH/AdobeStock_345676318_1000.jpg Blog - Three key questions to help inform an investment strategy - Three key questions to help inform an investment strategy On May 6th, 2022, the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee inched the Bank Rate up by a quarter of a percentage point, pushing it to the highest level for more than a decade.Notable though this move might be, the fact that interest rates stand at 1% means they still remain a long way off historical peaks. At the same time, UK consumers are having to make their money stretch ever further as rising inflation results in higher costs.For many with savings, this set of circumstances has prompted an evaluation of how best to manage and grow their wealth, leading some to consider the merits of investing. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/equity-release-what-it-means-to-unlock-your-property-wealth-p8zhc monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524603-RT3O63SS4LSUGSLZDUGC/AdobeStock_284305867_1000.jpg Blog - Equity release: What it means to unlock your property wealth - Equity release: What it means to unlock your property wealth In any social gathering, there is one topic of conversation that is never far from the surface and that’s house prices.Understandably so in early 2022, when data from various indices points to a property market that continues to reach new heights. In April, for example, the Rightmove House Price Index revealed that the average price of a property coming to market hit a record high for the third consecutive month, registering a figure of just over £360,000.To put this number in context, it represents a rise of 10% on the previous year and is more than £50,000 above the level recorded in March 2020, just before the pandemic triggered lockdown across the UK.For homeowners, the buoyancy of the property market can provide some comfort in the face of current pressures on the cost of living, and particularly for those whose financial plans might have been impacted negatively by Covid-19 or other unforeseen circumstances. This goes some way to explaining the recent rise in levels of equity release, with an increasing number of people seeking to unlock some of the value built up in their home. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/will-the-no-fault-divorce-have-implications-on-financial-planning-rlb6c monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525492-QCRU34HODQRJC916CHF5/AdobeStock_242521241_1000.jpg Blog - Will the ‘no-fault divorce’ have implications on financial planning? - Will the ‘no-fault divorce’ have implications on financial planning? Just as no two weddings are alike, the concept of marriage can mean different things to different people.For many, it places an official seal on the promise of a lifelong partnership, backed by a commitment to share all aspects of life together, from the personal to the financial. In this context, the decision to divorce will always be beset with complication and emotion, but recent changes to law have been introduced with a view to making it less confrontational and acrimonious.The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, which came into force on April 6 of this year, avoids the need for one party to attribute blame to the other where an immediate divorce is being sought. Previous rules were based on the need for a petitioner to substantiate why conduct by the other party led the marriage to reach the point of ‘irretrievable breakdown’. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/commercial-finance-supporting-business-on-the-road-to-recovery-d7trx monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524509-RVRRHWV870VFP2PCDVSK/AdobeStock_356101836_1000.jpg Blog - Commercial Finance: Supporting business on the road to recovery - Commercial Finance: Supporting business on the road to recovery Confidence can be a fragile thing at the best of times, so there is little surprise that the rapid and unsettling onset of the pandemic in spring 2020 shook UK business to its core.According to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, business confidence in the UK plummeted during that year to levels only previously seen during the financial crisis of 2008 and the recession of the early 1980s.Over the space of just a few weeks, business doors were shut, employees were sent home and, despite optimistic noises from the Prime Minister about ‘turning the tide’, there was little clarity on the extent of the damage that would be caused by Covid-19. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/riding-out-the-storm-savings-and-investments-in-uncertain-times-kyt98 monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525153-ZQLN5IITKC9XPOHIGOP1/AdobeStock_279797614_1000.jpg Blog - Riding out the storm: Savings and investments in uncertain times - Riding out the storm: Savings and investments in uncertain times From the petrol-station forecourt to the supermarket aisles, you don’t need to go far for evidence that we are living through a period of economic instability.In each of these places, UK consumers are seeing the costs of their everyday necessities driven higher by escalating wholesale prices. Petrol and diesel, climbing at the fastest-ever recorded rate, continue to reach new highs while food-price inflation is accelerating.The reasons behind these notable shifts are diverse, but the conflict in Ukraine is clearly a dominant factor, given Russia’s influence on global oil and gas markets and the region’s influential position as a significant exporter of wheat.And while the war must primarily be seen in its context as a humanitarian crisis, these shockwaves show there are also economic implications. Indeed, the UN's trade and development body downgraded its global economic growth projection for 2022 by 1% in reflection of a challenging outlook for a world that was only just beginning to emerge from the depths of a fiscally painful pandemic. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/ethical-investments-is-it-always-a-good-idea-to-put-your-money-where-your-morals-are-99ptw monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524626-MKAXI3EICPMXNRNK3F6J/AdobeStock_279439307_1000.jpg Blog - Ethical investments: Is it always a good idea to put your money where your morals are? - Ethical investments: Is it always a good idea to put your money where your morals are? We might live in a consumer society, but there is no doubt that the nature of how and where we spend our money is changing fast. Today, as populations around the world become more aware of the significant environmental and social challenges facing our planet, increasing numbers of enlightened people are factoring ethics into their actions and spending decisions. Their aim is to make a positive impact on the world and tackle the negative influences at play. Investment strategies have long been used to support ethical positions, with consumers distancing themselves from companies where they judge their actions to be questionable, unjustifiable or simply damaging. In recent years, however, the momentum behind this movement has gone up several gears, boosted by heightened concern around issues including climate change and social inequality, as well as a growing appetite among populations to enforce change. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/dream-team-should-your-accountant-and-adviser-collaborate-more-closely-gm3rd monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524577-WZJM0JNC01IBP6D73F7P/AdobeStock_283596298_1000.jpg Blog - Dream team: Should your accountant and adviser collaborate more closely? - Dream team: Should your accountant and adviser collaborate more closely? In our efforts to make sense of a busy, complicated world, we can sometimes apply simple labels to the people and things in our daily lives, compartmentalising them into their separate boxes.It’s an approach that can lead us to package individuals into distinct roles and silos. Even if they share similar interests, the invisible boundaries we construct between them limits the potential for crossover or collaboration.Financial advisers and accountants are a case in point. Despite both parties having a common interest in their clients’ wealth, they can often operate in relative isolation, co-existing with little degree of overlap.However, just as an elite athlete will work with a co-ordinated team of specialist coaches who all support their improved performance from various angles, both physical and psychological, clients can also benefit from greater co-ordination between their team of professional financial advisors. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/financial-planning-in-your-50s-the-consequences-of-taking-early-retirement-6tazm monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524586-B5DW114RPWP302OJF64Q/AdobeStock_234281561_1000.jpg Blog - Financial planning in your 50s: the consequences of taking early retirement - Financial planning in your 50s: the consequences of taking early retirement Travelling the world to see all those far-flung destinations on your wish list. Enjoying long days out on the golf course with friends. Taking up that hobby you’ve always promised yourself you would learn.Whatever you plan to do, it’s easy to see why, for many of us, retirement can’t come soon enough. And over the past few years, that dream has captivated increasing numbers of people thanks to the sobering impact of the pandemic.These difficult times have not only led to many workers being burnt out by the intense experience of remote working, but it has also delivered a bit of a wake-up call regarding our own mortality, triggering many to reassess the factors that truly make them happy.As a result, large numbers of those within touching distance of retirement are considering pushing the career ladder aside with a view to gaining more freedom and more time. Indeed, research from Legal & General says this cohort could comprise as many as 1.3 million people.For those in their fifties thinking about the idea of jumping into early retirement or phasing down their work commitments ahead of the official retirement age, such a decision has important consequences. You might be motivated by freeing yourself from the nine-to-five and escaping the rat race, but sound planning is strongly advisable to ensure your personal finances can accommodate the absence of regular income that employment or self-employment brings. After all, the earlier you retire, the longer you will have to wait to benefit from the additional security provided by the State Pension, which is currently only available from the age of 66. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/the-wider-impact-of-property-price-growth-7yj48 monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525416-JHOQYMVT0AYJ6FD82VDP/AdobeStock_292712849_1000.jpeg Blog - The Wider Impact of Property Price Growth - The Wider Impact of Property Price Growth Annual house price growth reached 11.2% in January, continuing a powerful upward trend and the strongest start to the year in almost two decades. Data from Nationwide’s latest house price index shows that the 0.8% increase from December 2021 marked the strongest pace of growth since last June.This is especially positive in the light of concerns about the impact of rising inflation on house prices, as the market continues to enjoy a strong demand in comparison to supply for a positive knock-on effect on prices. With 2021 the strongest year for house price growth since 2006, it’s no surprise that demand for property and mortgages is high but we must remain level-headed in terms of what we can expect moving through 2022. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/how-will-i-know-when-its-time-to-switch-care-home-eyyhg monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524801-2YDW58XY3O9GIDP4Y3GD/adobestock_274060563-1.jpg Blog - How will I know when it's time to switch care home? - How will I know when it's time to switch care home? The latest post in our care series looks at the reasons why somebody may want or need to change care home, as well as the different options and costs involved with making the move.Choosing a care home for the first time is often a complex process as there are many considerations to make. You and your family will have invested a great deal of time, effort and cost into choosing the most appropriate home, considering personal preferences (such as the level of social activity and geographical location), as well as the type of care on offer. But sometimes, even after the decision has been carefully made and the research done, the care home may not end up being appropriate for your loved one. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/integrating-funeral-costs-into-your-financial-plans-z77m2 monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524859-P8K0PTZENSUUTN9FQNUB/AdobeStock_326781561.jpeg Blog - Integrating Funeral Costs into your Financial Plans - Integrating Funeral Costs into your Financial Plans With the news that the funeral costs have dropped for the first time in 18 years, we recommend revisiting your financial plans to consider the financial obligations associated with dying and plan accordingly. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/a-closer-look-at-junior-isas-mwj4l monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524315-75KKMRICKAW6QM092T9A/adobestock_332094140-1-.jpg Blog - A Closer Look at Junior ISAs - A Closer Look at Junior ISAs January is the ideal time to review our finances. For those of us with young dependents, putting money away for their future is likely to be a key priority. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/how-to-deal-with-evolving-care-needs-g6lt9 monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524739-RSA8QHO0UB0VCDYCIZGT/adobestock_234693438.jpg Blog - How to Deal with Evolving Care Needs - How to Deal with Evolving Care Needs In this fourth instalment in our blog post series on professional care, we’re considering how to account for changing care needs.Stability is a key element of any effective care plan, especially considering the vulnerability of many older people and the understandable need to feel in control of the situation. It’s only natural for loved ones and indeed their closest family to feel afraid and out of their depth when they reach the point that physical or mental support is needed. That’s why considering all eventualities at the outset is important as every member of the family can financially and emotionally prepare.Ideally, these different scenarios should be considered while the family member is still in good health, sound mind and able to clearly express their own wishes for later life care. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/care-planning-in-home-care-or-a-residential-facility-r27ya monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524452-89SOY2BJD5SA2ETZXJEU/Webp.net-resizeimage-4-1.jpg Blog - Care Planning: In-home care or a residential facility? - Care Planning: In-home care or a residential facility? The third instalment in our care planning blog series looks at some of the key concerns that families have when it comes to arranging care. Specifically, we’re looking at how the individual can maximise the time they remain at home before seeking professional care. We’re also considering whether they may need to sell their home to cover care costs, as well as any viable alternatives. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/important-financial-changes-for-the-self-employed-cya3c monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524809-3T88H4NWL4E3AL9LJCK0/adobestock_343811182-1.jpg Blog - Important Financial Changes for the Self-Employed - Important Financial Changes for the Self-Employed New government guidance relating to taxes for the self-employed is making things even more difficult for those that work for themselves. Coupled with rising numbers of people choosing to become self-employed, now is a pertinent time to take a broad look at the best way for this demographic to organise finances and optimise outcomes. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/assessing-your-options-when-a-parent-needs-care-sbhtl monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524341-5C3EGV88LG90EIM2VW4C/Webp.net-resizeimage-2.jpg Blog - Assessing Your Options when a Parent Needs Care - Assessing Your Options when a Parent Needs Care As the second post in our bi-weekly care series, we are looking at how to assess your parents’ needs and subsequently explore options when it comes to care. If you are uncertain over whether your parent is in need of professional care, please click here to read our first post in the series, After you and your family have identified the need for care, it’s time to assess the individual needs of your loved one and pinpoint effective solutions. Acknowledging the need for care as early as possible is important as this will maximise the options available. This means recognising that the individual is struggling to manage the day-to-day due to physical and/or mental health limitations. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/how-to-identify-when-your-loved-ones-need-care-d3laf monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524756-EHVIH4465AZ2F3R64P5V/adobestock_120568136.jpg Blog - How to Identify When Your Loved Ones Need Care - How to Identify When Your Loved Ones Need Care A key part of intergenerational wealth planning is making provisions for the cost of care. While many people believe that their social care needs will be funded by the NHS, the reality is very different. The majority of older people who end up needing care will need to fund at least some, if not all, of it themselves and the costs add up quickly.While this piece is directed towards those looking to manage the care needs of parents, it is also a blueprint that any individual/s can use to understand how best to make a care plan for loved ones. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/should-you-apply-for-protection-against-the-lifetime-allowance-bk224 monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525195-3BTI8ADLGMM1BCGF24LR/AdobeStock_350140891.jpeg Blog - Should You Apply for Protection Against the Lifetime Allowance? - Should You Apply for Protection Against the Lifetime Allowance? While more than 325,000 people have registered for protection against the lifetime allowance since its inception in 2006, more recently numbers have dropped significantly leaving some savers potentially exposed to unnecessary tax bills.Just 4000 new applicants registered for lifetime allowance protection in the most recent year. It’s worth noting that we could reasonably have expected a drop in numbers due to the last lifetime allowance reduction taking place back in 2016.This means that most eligible parties will have applied already and the number of people eligible will naturally reduce over time. However, this issue is still extremely important due to a number of external influencing factors. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/equityreleaseuk-rlcyj monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524611-EERQ359O7Z892RFSJFA2/adobestock_329652574.jpg Blog - Uncovering Opportunities with Equity Release - Uncovering Opportunities with Equity Release Equity release can be an effective way to boost your retirement income with more and more homeowners choosing to take this route. Research from Canada Life surveyed more than 1000 UK homeowners in their 40s and identified an interesting new trend. The study showed that more people are considering releasing equity at an earlier stage – an average of 66 years old or two years before their predicted pension age.This is a demographic that will feel the effects of increasing the state pension age to 68 (between 2044 and 2046) and are readjusting their financial retirement plans accordingly. With an extra two years to financially account for and the additional financial pressure of longer retirements and life expectancies, equity release can be a welcome addition to holistic retirement planning. This activity also reflects the fact that, in recent years, equity release has gradually become a more mainstream retirement planning product. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/whats-the-deal-with-cryptocurrency-yhsky monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525466-A4Y8RVE8CIUWI63F6J4V/AdobeStock_176244558.jpeg Blog - What’s the Deal with Cryptocurrency? - What’s the Deal with Cryptocurrency? While it has garnered a fair amount of negative press, the jury is still out on cryptocurrency. On the positive side of the coin, crypto broke new ground earlier this year when luxury broker Sotheby’s announced that it would accept cryptocurrencies Ether or Bitcoin as payment for a rare diamond, described as “the second largest pear-shaped diamond ever to come to market.”.As the first time that such a valuable stone has been available to purchase using cryptocurrency, it is what Yu Wenhao of Sotheby’s Jewellery in Asia describes as a “truly symbolic moment [where] the most ancient and emblematic denominator of value can now, for the first time, be purchased using humanity's newest universal currency.” https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/critical-illness-for-younger-people-8e4g4 monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524545-S6UQPNBDQB05AXBFKLBK/AdobeStock_16658833-1.jpeg Blog - Critical Illness for Younger People - Critical Illness for Younger People With the news that 29-year-old footballer Christian Eriksen is set to be fitted with a heart starter after his dramatic mid-match collapse last month, this is the latest in a series of high-profile events serving as a powerful reminder that no one is too young to consider financial protection. Despite his young age and no previous signs of heart health issues, Eriksen fell unconscious on the pitch at a Euros 2020 match this past June due to cardiac arrest. Following treatment, he had an ICD (cardioverter defibrillator) implanted due to “rhythm disturbances” but his teammates, family and the public are still reeling from the shock. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/the-changing-face-of-wealth-xecft monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525332-MPOO9801EI0RPH4TKB79/Webp.net-resizeimage-1.jpg Blog - The Changing Face of Wealth - The Changing Face of Wealth With women expected to control more than 60% of the UK’s wealth by 2025*, the future of wealth is very clearly female. While the financial planning and wealth management industries have traditionally been a male-dominated realm, the rise of the financially independent woman is driving major industry change as advisers adapt their conversation and their approach to the new generation of clients. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/life-insurance-and-covid-19-mck6g monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524954-6OKQO12TOCHRZ5D9WPGU/new.jpg Blog - Life Insurance and COVID-19 - Life Insurance and COVID-19 Life insurance sales have soared in recent times as the pandemic has triggered more people to look at the different ways they can protect their families. When you take out life insurance, you are investing in peace of mind and a financial safety net for your dependents in the case of your passing. Policies usually pay out a lump sum which your family can use to cover ongoing expenses and pay off outstanding debt, such as mortgage payments. Without this lifeline, many families could seriously struggle and be forced to compromise the quality of their day-to-day lives or wipe out hard-earned savings to make ends meet. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/financial-planning-for-remarriage-sgcgl monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524683-PL22WQHJ2NDK7GA3WAWO/AdobeStock_56447748.jpeg Blog - Financial Planning for Remarriage - Financial Planning for Remarriage Financial planning can be complex but when our circumstances change, it's essential to review arrangements. This will make sure that everything is set up for the best returns and the best protection. With divorce rates in the UK last year at their highest in half a century, we’d like to look beyond this to what happens to our finances should we choose to remarry. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/investing-in-your-childs-future-2w5ah monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524876-VTOF64J0PTT1CW5FLJU8/Screenshot-2021-05-13-at-10.23.27.png Blog - Investing in your Child’s Future - Investing in your Child’s Future For both parents and grandparents, there are a number of ways to start savings for descendants from the earliest days of their lives. Putting money away is a great way to help them to achieve goals later in life, such as buying their first home or paying for university education. It’s also a good way to teach healthy financial habits from a young age. There are several options available and the right one for you will depend on a number of key factors. This includes who you’re saving for and how much money you can comfortably commit to putting away. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/incomeprotection-a2n6s monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524851-LY4IK0B12UZ8VVWS8HL9/shutterstock_1606546729.jpg Blog - Recognising the Value of Income Protection - Recognising the Value of Income Protection As new research shows that more than half of UK adults under the age of 45 are considering taking out income protection cover, the impact of COVID-19 brings the value of insurance into sharp focus. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/accessing-home-ownership-with-the-95-mortgage-bh5l4 monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524324-4SXWB7GOZ3IR86V43CHS/shutterstock_1273188061.jpg Blog - Accessing Home Ownership with the 95% Mortgage - Accessing Home Ownership with the 95% Mortgage A new mortgage guarantee scheme is breathing new life into the housing market with the opportunity to purchase a home without the need to save a hefty deposit. Designed to make property ownership more accessible, the 95% mortgage was announced by chancellor Rishi Sunak in the March 2021 Budget as part of his pledge to turn “generation rent into generation buy”. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/crypto-3gzdp monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524553-F41357VG85X7FBUWE7TF/shutterstock_630353870.jpg Blog - Why Everybody’s Talking about Non-Fungible Tokens - Why Everybody’s Talking about Non-Fungible Tokens Cryptocurrency is one of the most exciting financial developments of recent times and the latest crypto-trend comes in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Defined by Design Boom as “the registration of ownership of a digital object on a blockchain”, NFTs can be any type of digital media including music, videos and text. Most are part of the Ethereum blockchain, which is a type of cryptocurrency blockchain. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/end-of-year-tax-planning-ybj8k monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524595-MM48ZMGZ4WJQ3PX10ZXL/shutterstock_1824965774.jpg Blog - End of Year Tax Planning - End of Year Tax Planning While the media has offered us plenty of doom and gloom since COVID-19 hit, a recent Financial Conduct Authority report shows that things are far more positive than they would have us believe. Nearly half (48%) of adults surveyed have not been impacted financially by COVID-19 while one in seven (14%) have seen their financial situation improve.That being said, the report also highlights that the pandemic has left more than a quarter of UK adults with low financial resilience, meaning low level of savings or erratic earnings. These numbers have increased over the course of 2020 from 10.7 million to 14.2 million.In the light of such findings and as the tax year end approaches, now is the time to make some savvy choices and make the most of your money moving forward. Regardless of the pandemic, the tax year end is always a good time to review your finances, consider your short- and long-term goals, and identify tax planning opportunities. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/the-reality-of-later-life-divorce-grh8p monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525398-QD0RHJOUB8WE9PNMRSI8/AdobeStock_409879197.jpeg Blog - The Reality of Later Life Divorce - The Reality of Later Life Divorce Later life divorce is becoming more and more common, with one in four divorces in the UK occurring after the age of 50. Once the children have left home and we approach our ‘golden years’, it is perhaps inevitable that some couples will rethink their marriage and realise that it has run its course. The impact of COVID-19 has only fuelled this trend with divorce enquiries increasingly significantly since the first lockdown. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/understanding-pension-pot-consolidation-dlk4z monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525442-XN1GMTHYY5O4AEU7RJ2P/shutterstock_1641184159.jpg Blog - Understanding Pension Pot Consolidation - Understanding Pension Pot Consolidation Keeping up with your finances can seem like a full-time job in itself but pension scheme fees are just one example of why you simply cannot leave your affairs unintended.Automatic enrolment changed the face of pensions as we know it. Since its introduction in 2012, more than 10.2 million workers have been automatically enrolled and started saving more efficiently for retirement. However, it remains essential for the individual to be fully aware of how much they have saved, any fees involved and – crucially – the number and value of pots that they own.Every time you start a new job, your employer will enrol you into a new scheme. Many of us have six different jobs or more over the course of our working life and with increased cases of redundancy since COVID-19, the impact on our pension pots is even more striking.Research by the Pensions Policy Institute (PPI) shows that about 25 per cent of pots are worth less than £100 – many of these are small pots that simply get left behind and forgotten once the employee starts a new job and is enrolled into yet another new scheme. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/putting-a-price-on-financial-planning-hw8zt monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525067-RA0K6SAP4I87CZV05H05/shutterstock_663863257.jpg Blog - Putting a Price on Financial Planning - Putting a Price on Financial Planning With robo-advice being promoted more enthusiastically than ever before by well-known brands such as high street banks, it’s important to address the question of exactly how much financial advice is worth. Specifically, we’re taking a look at the difference between robo-advice and the traditional face-to-face model. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/taxplanning-f5hbg monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525302-0V0AVE1KD35JFOL7MFH1/BP147IMAGE.jpg Blog - Tax-Efficient Strategies for Retirement - Tax-Efficient Strategies for Retirement Untangling the intricacies of tax relief is one of the most sought-after services here at Vintage Wealth Management and with good reason. Reducing your tax liability is one of the most effective ways to gain the most from your money and there may be plenty of opportunities available for mitigating your tax charges depending on key factors including your salary, age, savings and investments portfolio, and retirement ambitions. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/the-latest-trends-in-personal-protection-4ldck monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525390-6Y93OOSJ9SM8BF9PXP92/ilya-pavlov-XPT-OtA0E-8-unsplash-1.jpg Blog - The Latest Trends in Personal Protection - The Latest Trends in Personal Protection Staying on top of trends is important when it comes to protection insurance, as this helps both employers and individuals to understand the value and relevance of their cover. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a sharp increase in enquiries and uptake of many types of protection insurance with income protection sitting firmly at the centre of it all.Specifically, the industry has witnessed a strong trend with regards to young people where income protection has become more popular with the under-25s. A report from Cover magazine shows that IP enquiries made via the ActiveQuote site increased by more than 400%, by more than 300% from those under 30 and by more than 250% for under 35s in March 2020, compared to the same time last year. Cover also reports that the protection broker and comparison service “saw the number of enquiries from customers aged 20 and under rise five-fold during the same period.” https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/the-big-questions-should-i-take-out-life-cover-or-invest-my-money-pefnf monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525316-CWAGSOPKFQTJMDF42CIL/shutterstock_339029762.jpg Blog - The Big Questions: Should I take out life cover or invest my money?  - The Big Questions: Should I take out life cover or invest my money? Stock market volatility, economic uncertainty and a general feeling of unease have led many of us to reassess our financial situation during the coronavirus pandemic. The current situation provides an opportunity to review and amend your financial plans to ensure a good level of financial flexibility and essential resilience against future shakeups whilst remaining in line with your investment and saving goals. It also means asking evergreen financial questions, one of which is how and where we should invest our money. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/should-you-delay-your-retirement-because-of-covid-19-fr494 monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525204-0HLMBB4K5266Y05KS9X2/BP143-Approved-Image-min.jpeg Blog - Should you delay your retirement because of Covid-19? - Should you delay your retirement because of Covid-19? Retirement planning has taken on a new dimension during the pandemic with many big questions being asked, including whether a delayed retirement is the most sensible option for the over-50s. Half of advisers have seen clients defer their retirement as a result of income losses triggered by COVID-19, with Schroders’ latest UK financial adviser survey stating that capital and investment income losses and impact on retirement plans are the top three concerns. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/cash-management-during-a-crisis-and-beyond-h3f2a monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524462-5S6HTJW7BAAWK5MA0QYZ/AdobeStock_214169226-min.jpeg Blog - Cash Management During a Crisis and Beyond - Cash Management During a Crisis and Beyond When we come up against a crisis situation, it’s human nature and good sense to take a step back and reconsider the financial arrangements we have in place from a strategic perspective. The coronavirus pandemic has hit the UK hard, with many people losing their jobs or being furloughed overnight. While some of us have been lucky enough to avert any serious personal impact, what we can learn from this situation is just how important it is to think about how we manage our money and whether we are financially best prepared for the unexpected. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/making-a-will-are-you-fully-prepared-z8r5r monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524963-F1TW6X2MF7B96HMXZZKT/Willsprobates.jpeg Blog - Making a Will: Are you fully prepared? - Making a Will: Are you fully prepared? Since the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the UK, more and more people are starting to question whether they have adequate provisions in place to protect their estate and their loved ones should the worst happen.Will enquiries have increased by 76% and the challenge of having witnesses signing documents with social distancing in place has led the Law Society, Ministry of Justice and the Solicitors Regulation Authority to consider the use of video conferencing facilities for witnesses during lockdown.The laws around Wills are complex which makes it essential to tread carefully. If you pass away without a valid Will or a mistake deems your arrangements invalid, you will have no control over how your estate is divided upon your death and your intended beneficiaries may lose out. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/coronavirus-support-for-the-self-employed-jw7h8 monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524519-GFLDYOAYIT8I0P1A33T3/shutterstock_339364181.jpg Blog - Coronavirus: Support for the self-employed - Coronavirus: Support for the self-employed People all over the world have had their working lives completely transformed over the past few months due to the effects of coronavirus (COVID-19). All industries have been forced to adapt and many individuals have seen their income diminish or disappear completely. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/supporting-our-clients-staff-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak-tk4gl monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525270-3OXBDW5JLTDY43CTMTPO/AdobeStock_309991131-min-1.jpeg Blog - Supporting our Clients & Staff during the Coronavirus outbreak. - Supporting our Clients & Staff during the Coronavirus outbreak During the past few weeks, Vintage has been conducting a thorough assessment of the potential disruption that could be caused by the increasing restrictions imposed by the Government in an attempt to control the spread of the Coronavirus. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/is-equity-release-the-way-to-go-jk4cg monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524909-Z1N9SPRIEHKVK5TA1N3S/AdobeStock_300278406-min.jpeg Blog - Is Equity Release the way to go? - Is Equity Release the way to go? We are all living in uncertain economic times, leaving many worried for their financial future, so now may be the time to release money from your home, tax-free, to secure your lifestyle, protect your business, or help family members struggling in the current financial climate. This is not a decision that should be taken lightly or without expert advice and consultation with the family is also a key consideration.Earlier this month it was revealed that equity release mortgages were offering their lowest rates in history, and Vintage Wealth Management have access to the most competitive market rate of 2.55%. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/important-information-about-your-mortgage-ml3gn monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524817-U3S78168A0K1ZIW2I7JQ/AdobeStock_103719031-min.jpeg Blog - Important Information about your Mortgage - Important Information about your Mortgage Over the past few weeks we have received a lot of queries about how coronavirus (Covid-19) is affecting mortgages, what measures are being put in place to help those struggling financially, and how to access that support. Vintage Wealth Management are here to keep our clients up to date with the latest developments and help clarify the options available to you. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/coronavirus-why-now-is-not-the-time-for-investors-to-panic-scyst monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524528-1QH490PQFYYW5BMD99A8/AdobeStock_326781174.jpeg Blog - Coronavirus: Why now is not the time for investors to panic - Coronavirus: Why now is not the time for investors to panic Since the first reported case on 31 December 2019, coronavirus (COVID-19) has constantly been headline news and investors will be aware that the equity markets have fallen sharply over the past few months – with the UK FTSE 100, the US S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial index down significantly in February. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/how-to-protect-your-pension-lta-as-the-end-of-the-tax-year-approaches-e2b4s monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524793-V1SR2QPRXH3VTEUEPFSS/shutterstock_339114656.jpg Blog - How to protect your pension LTA as the end of the tax year approaches - How to protect your pension LTA as the end of the tax year approaches More and more people are in danger of exceeding their pension lifetime allowance (LTA), resulting in excess charges. With the tax-free figure gradually being reduced over time, protecting your lifetime allowance should be an integral part of pension planning and a high priority as the end of the tax year approaches. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/investing-with-a-conscience-rxf25 monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524884-FI2E8M1SR6RVAFBLYDPO/shutterstock_1166316958.jpg Blog - Investing with a conscience - Investing with a conscience Issues such as climate change and sustainability have become increasingly hot topics around the world, consistently making headlines and often the subject of conversation. Whether it be politicians debating environmental policies, 17-year-old Nobel Peace Prize-nominee Greta Thunberg addressing the UN, movements like Extinction Rebellion making the front pages with their protests or A-Listers such as Joaquin Phoenix speaking out at the Oscars, environmental responsibility is rarely out of the news. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/getting-ahead-of-the-tax-year-cut-off-jslsm monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524714-GV9JEWQQ2CQESLJC26QR/shutterstock_1137034184.jpg Blog - Getting ahead of the tax year cut-off - Getting ahead of the tax year cut-off As we approach the end of the financial year, focus shifts to gaining an overview of income, assets, and those dreaded taxes. Following the general election and the start of the Brexit process, the political and financial landscape is beginning to settle, yet the extent of the Conservatives’ plans for taxation are yet to be fully revealed. Directors and the self-employed will begin the 2020 tax year with the welcome knowledge that income tax, national insurance contributions and VAT will not be increased, but rules are changing for other taxes, such as capital gains tax, which may leave some worse off.With that in mind, year-end tax planning should become a priority in order to ensure you make the most of your allowances before 6 April. Here are five ways to get ahead of the tax year cut-off… https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/choosing-the-right-wealth-manager-for-you-k4frt monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524499-EGYQ40XBVSO1CYEQQF2L/shutterstock_1256570881-1.jpg Blog - Choosing the right wealth manager for you - Choosing the right wealth manager for you According to the Office of National Statistics, 3.6 million households in the UK hold a wealth of more than £1million – including the value of investments, property, pension savings and belongings, minus any outstanding mortgage. That is a significant sum to manage without financial advice. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/how-to-develop-better-financial-habits-in-2020-75knh monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524748-GOW3VCQ6EM5NMIAO1IOI/BP117-Approved-Image-.jpeg Blog - How to develop better financial habits in 2020 - How to develop better financial habits in 2020 While many people may concentrate on their physical and mental health at the start of a new year – joining a gym, eating more healthily, giving up smoking or practising mindfulness – it is equally important to focus on financial health. And the two are not mutually exclusive. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/the-importance-of-financial-protection-for-the-self-employed-sznrb monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525366-JXZDVOLQ86KDASJ2TIX3/BP116-APPROVED-IMAGE.jpg Blog - The importance of financial protection for the self-employed - The importance of financial protection for the self-employed As more and more people reject the traditional working structure in favour of becoming self-employed, millions of people could be at risk of financial insecurity as they lose out on employee benefits that offer protection in the present, and financial planning for the future. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/why-now-is-the-time-to-invest-in-your-childs-future-wpnrt monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525483-AHSH2YW7KYD6G86PQT1C/BP115-APPROVED-IMAGE.jpg Blog - Why now is the time to invest in your child’s future - Why now is the time to invest in your child’s future This summer, the first recipients of the Child Trust Fund (CTF) will be able to access their savings as they turn 18. Yet, out of the 6 million CTFs set up, as many as 1 million are estimated to have been lost, leaving young people at risk of missing out on their savings according to charity Share Centre. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/the-importance-of-wills-and-lasting-power-of-attorney-2-be52t monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525381-1SNVQZF3LXP5GZORXIHY/shutterstock_431851093-1.jpg Blog - The Importance of Wills and Lasting Power of Attorney - The Importance of Wills and Lasting Power of Attorney Many people believe making a will and arranging a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is something that only affects us later in life. That it is a concern for the elderly. The reality is that accidents, critical illnesses and even death can hit at any time. And, if you are not prepared, it can have devastating effects on you and your loved ones. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/the-importance-of-saving-nj586 monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525373-SM8DX5S292XGSQ64IDCL/BP109-approved-image-1.jpg Blog - The Importance of Saving - The Importance of Saving At a time of political and financial uncertainty, it is more important than ever to look closely at your finances and ensure you are making adequate provisions for the future.Whether it is saving for specific outlays such as cars, holidays, a wedding, university or buying a property, or putting aside enough funds to create a buffer in case of a sudden income shock or other change in circumstances, saving is key to protecting you and your loved ones.Yet almost 10 million households in the UK have no savings at all, according to research by debt charity Stepchange. Of those who do save, 19.3 million (71%) have less than £10,000 put away. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/why-now-could-be-the-time-to-buy-to-let-e6nd3 monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525475-RL8BEDV8J1DEOCZ6G9X0/BP111-approved-image-1.jpeg Blog - Why Now Could Be the Time to Buy to Let - Why Now Could Be the Time to Buy to Let Recent figures show that the UK buy-to-let market is flourishing, despite a raft of problematic tax and regulatory changes introduced over the past few years.Between poor forecasts and new rules and regulations that appeared to create hurdles for buy-to-let landlords, the recent shifts have seen some smaller investors opting to leave the market. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/legal-information-and-disclaimers-tjsjz monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524946-6P4RRS3XU96G32H7ZFE3/AdobeStock_321273750.jpeg Blog - Legal Information and Disclaimers - Legal Information and Disclaimers https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/robo-advice-versus-the-traditional-model-p2sdm monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525178-81RSMGCE6OWKCT80CT6Z/BP101IMAGE.jpg Blog - Robo-advice versus the Traditional Model - Robo-advice versus the Traditional Model More and more, robo-advisers are positioning themselves as viable alternatives to real-life, face-to-face traditional financial advice. How do the two compare and what does the future look like for the advice market? https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/a-brief-guide-to-offshore-bonds-l4hem monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524300-H1N7PO7LE3DJX3NL9PD6/BP100-approved-image.jpg Blog - A Brief Guide to Offshore Bonds - A Brief Guide to Offshore Bonds If you have already maximised your annual allowances, such as pensions and ISAs, you will be looking for alternative methods of saving. Offshore bonds can be an extremely effective financial planning tool that adds value and supports wider estate planning, retirement planning and asset protection goals. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/building-consumer-trust-in-protection-insurance-l2wdz monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524395-HSX6T3GBNP0W98TJR13C/BP99IMAGE.jpg Blog - Building Consumer Trust in Protection Insurance - Building Consumer Trust in Protection Insurance In a recent blog post on the reality of protection claim pay-outs, we addressed the fact that one of the main barriers to protection insurance is the widespread - and false - belief that claims are frequently denied.Publishing claims pay-out statistics shows consumers important details including exactly what percentage of claims are paid out. It also gives insight into declined claims and the possible reasons why a claim might be turned down.We support the highest level of transparency and this all works towards building consumer trust and proving the real, tangible value of protection insurance. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/pension-freedoms-glcnz monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525040-LIASH56CCSAI9TIMFLB9/shutterstock_289663607.jpg Blog - Staying Up to Date with Pension Freedoms - Staying Up to Date with Pension Freedoms We’ve all read the negative press surrounding pensions freedoms, but things move fast in the savings and investments world so it’s time for us to share an update. It’s safe to say that both the government and FCA were unprepared for the impact that pension freedoms would have. The freedom of choice that George Osborne talked about so confidently in his Budget 2014 speech has not come to fruition in the way we might have hoped, as the reforms were rushed through too quickly without enough time allocated to put adequate protections in place. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/does-your-business-need-keyperson-insurance-556w5 monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524570-4LM2A701EOQVUD5KB3ZN/BP97IMAGE.jpg Blog - Does your Business Need Key Person Insurance? - Does your Business Need Key Person Insurance? It's all very well pushing insurance down to the bottom of your to-do list and burying your head in the sand, but, as business owners, it's essential to undertake regular company health checks. This includes working out exactly what would happen in a range of less-than-ideal scenarios. For small and medium-sized businesses, one of the worst potential scenarios would be if one of the founders - or the "key people" of your business such as senior management - became so ill that they could not work, or died. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/vintageinternship-rhgfm monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525458-RNEH206UVZQW1OILCVWY/Esther-Akomolafe-Intern1.jpg Blog - Are You Interested in A Career in Financial Services? - Are You Interested in A Career in Financial Services? We are proud to offer a range of work experience and internship opportunities across the Vintage brands to those interested in and passionate about a career in financial services. We’ve welcomed ambitious and entrepreneurial interns, many of whom are studying for degrees in accounting, business, economics, banking and mathematics.As well as a supportive and collaborative working environment, we provide support and training to enhance your experience and knowledge as well as give a good idea of what it would be like to work with us full time. We are also very friendly with a great track record of employee satisfaction and high retention rates.We’ve included interviews with three of our most recent interns below to give you a little more insight about the Vintage experience and the opportunities you can access when you choose to spend time with us. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/the-evolution-of-paraplanning-zjbkl monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525349-GK0NL13X0GL3PJ56ZKA0/zoe-paraplanning2.jpg Blog - The Evolution of Paraplanning - The Evolution of Paraplanning After nearly two decades working for Vintage as a paraplanner, Zoe Wye currently heads up a team of 17 working closely with the independent financial advisers to provide a holistic service.“When I started working at Vintage 17 years ago, a paraplanner was more of a senior administrator. We would support the advisers by filling in forms, running life assurance quotes and preparing policy schedules; it wasn’t a very deep role at all.But, over the years and during the time I’ve been here, the role has developed greatly. As the industry has changed and become more regulated, advisers have needed much more back office support. Although the role of the paraplanner varies from company to company, the good thing about Vintage is that they’ve allowed it to develop into quite a technical, responsible one. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/income-uncertainty-and-later-retirement-llgb3 monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524843-3GN969Q2BQOZPJEHRH8L/BP95IMAGE.jpg Blog - Income Uncertainty and Later Retirement - Income Uncertainty and Later Retirement If you read our recent blog post on the financial challenges facing our ageing population, then you’ll already know that the retirement landscape is changing for many of us. As we are living longer, our pensions and savings are being stretched thin, leaving many of us no option but to retire later in order to avoid dealing with income uncertainty.The issue is that this can be somewhat of a myth. Instead of reducing income uncertainty, working later in life is not always the best way to alleviate financial problems. In fact, if your retirement planning hasn’t been managed effectively up until that point then it may simply shine a spotlight on any problems that are already festering. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/protection-claim-payouts-z6c7d monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525057-ND4PU0LF2C9A17LZ90NF/BP94IMAGE.jpg Blog - The Reality of Protection Claim Payouts - The Reality of Protection Claim Payouts One of the main barriers to protection insurance is the widespread belief that claims are frequently denied. There has been plenty of press around the pros and cons of publishing claims payout statistics, and there is a lot to be said for transparency when it comes to clearing up questions about exactly what percentage of claims are paid out.As one key example of the number of claims paid out, recent news shows that Shepherds Friendly Society paid out 95.8% of income protection claims in 2018, equating to £1.04m in benefits. This was also a year in which the insurer experienced a 7% growth in membership. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/financialadvice-w589k monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524698-ZHQ0KYBHJFHYWOM8BW4X/board-game-businessman-challenge-1040157-1.jpg Blog - Improving Access to Financial Advice - Improving Access to Financial Advice Any good lesson starts with the basics and the same can be said for financial advice. While we focus on the many reasons why people benefit from taking expert, professional advice on aspects such as retirement planning and protection insurance, we also need to look at the how. By this, we mean how exactly people access financial advice in the first place. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/the-biggest-holiday-of-your-life-y9223 monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525324-FT9LOZ8LHMJXXUDZ6RKU/vintage-image-blog.jpg Blog - The Biggest Holiday of your Life - The Biggest Holiday of your Life Craig Dowsett is an authorised Independent Financial Adviser and Advanced Diploma qualified. He works with both individuals and corporates, advising on their holistic financial planning needs. Prior to working in financial services, Craig played professional rugby; he brings the same drive and determination to his client work. In our Vintage thought leadership series, he has chosen to discuss retirement planning.Retirement planning is important not only for people operating in financial services, it is important for everyone. If you think about it, when you come to retire or when you stop working, you are beginning the biggest holiday you’re ever going to have. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/at-your-service-mcbky monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524349-T4RJI89YUKHOQBNXWJDI/vintage-blog-image.jpg Blog - At Your Service! - At Your Service! In our Vintage thought leadership series, Bernard Cunningham, Vintage Wealth Management's Director of Operations, has chosen to discuss the new raft of legislation introduced under MiFID ll.It’s been quite a challenging year so far. The MiFID II legislation introduced in January 2018 has meant there has been a lot more focus on client reviews throughout our business. That’s not necessarily a bad thing because we’re in a service industry so we do of course need to make sure we look after our customers. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/the-evolution-of-equity-release-yw7wa monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525341-EPFCK5FFFLQH35W33VF8/shutterstock_159350318.jpg Blog - The Evolution of Equity Release - The Evolution of Equity Release You may have already read our thought leadership piece from Elliot Simberg, one of our specialist advisers in equity release. He touched upon some of the most important developments taking place in the industry right now, and we’d like to explore these a little more as the industry continues to grow in order to maintain the highest level of transparency. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/the-impact-of-our-ageing-population-on-retirement-planning-w3em3 monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525357-75WATUEW6AV0RGS8SHEQ/shutterstock_1062165887-1.jpg Blog - The Impact of our Ageing Population on Retirement Planning - The Impact of our Ageing Population on Retirement Planning You might already be aware that the UK has an ageing population but the rate at which times are changing is rapid. The latest data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) shows that one in four Brits will be aged over 65 by 2050, up from nearly one in five in 2018. It also predicts that 40.34% more of 65 to 69 year olds will be economically active in 2067 (50.55%) compared to 1992 (10.21%). The impact on the UK’s economic landscape is clearly going to become even more significant, while the impact on retirement planning is also one to contend with. ONS data highlights another key factor that is a 29% increase in the number of working women aged 60 to 64. More and more people are working up to and beyond state pension age, with a phased out retirement becoming ever more common than a solid, pre-defined finish date. This all makes the retirement planning challenge potentially more complex, but solutions are evolving to respond to the changing landscape. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/harnessing-the-potential-of-equity-release-625y7 monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524730-35SA9ELN9DYNIX4GVWKY/smile-image.jpg Blog - Harnessing the Potential of Equity Release - Harnessing the Potential of Equity Release As part of a new blog and LinkedIn series, we are taking our readers behind the scenes at Vintage through in-depth thought leadership pieces with key members of staff. For today's post, we are in conversation with Elliot Simberg of Vintage Wealth Management who has chosen equity release as his interview topic. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/the-top-financial-planning-issues-for-sportspeople-to-consider-dws4h monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525407-RFRBOU5PTXR2640BT5LC/shutterstock_664109830.jpg Blog - The Top Financial Planning Issues for Sportspeople to Consider - The Top Financial Planning Issues for Sportspeople to Consider Sportspeople typically have careers with many unique characteristics which means specialist financial planning and guidance is essential. Shorter and perhaps more uncertain career progression, high salaries, early retirement and the risk of injury with an abrupt end to income are common scenarios that make tailored planning crucial for any professional sportsperson. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/could-you-be-at-risk-of-losing-your-lifetime-allowance-protection-yr35y monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524537-LUYUO4Q5807DZOC1TGSJ/shutterstock_156563393.jpg Blog - Could You Be at Risk of Losing Your Lifetime Allowance Protection? - Could You Be at Risk of Losing Your Lifetime Allowance Protection? The lifetime allowance represents the limit on the amount of pension savings that can be accrued over a lifetime without triggering a tax charge. It currently stands at £1.055m but new data shows that thousands of pension savers in the UK have unwittingly breached the limits of their lifetime allowance protections. This has taken place over the past 12 years since the 2006 introduction of ‘A-Day’. Otherwise known as the pension tax simplification regime, the four types of protection were created as “transitional measures” to minimise the impact of lifetime allowance cuts. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/how-to-prepare-for-early-retirement-j9hx9 monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524785-P2CR6DOQIASRESZ06US5/shutterstock_376701364-1.jpg Blog - How to Prepare for Early Retirement - How to Prepare for Early Retirement While early retirementused to be a distant dream for many of us, times are changing. Fresh researchfrom Aegon shows that half of the UK’s current retirees stopped working earlierthan they had planned to, often out of necessity rather than choice. Personal health issues and providing family members with care have been, and continue to be, two of the primary reasons why workers retire earlier than planned. Ageism is also a factor while phased retirement is also growing in popularity. The study shows that around half of workers would prefer to phase down their hours from the age of 63 until they reach full retirement age. Regardless of the reason why you might retire earlierthan the standard age, this research highlights the need for anyone who iscurrently working to make retirement plans early on and prepare for the unexpected. Coupled with the financial impact and ripple effect ofour ageing population, we need now more than ever to be savvy with our savingsplans. So, what are the best ways to approach your retirement financial planning? https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/how-to-make-your-money-work-harder-pryy9 monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524775-NR1E1EJJRM1B4SE3FK8K/BP73IMAGE.jpg Blog - How to Make your Money Work Harder - How to Make your Money Work Harder It’s safe to say that right now is a fairly uncertain period in the UK as we approach the expected Brexit date with no apparent decision being made about when, how and if we will exit the EU. Against this volatile landscape, more than a third of British adults – that’s 17 million people and 3% more than the previous quarter – believe that they will be worse off financially post-Brexit. This mainly includes concerns about the cost of food and energy as wellas broader worries about the fall in value of the pound and the knock-on effecton individual financial situations. Much of this is fear of the unknown but many of the concerns could alsobecome reality. This attitude has seen the general public far more hesitant tomake major financial decisions such as buying a new home or a new car. Many are also delaying investment decisions, and this suggests deeperworries about cash flow, namely the fact that many people are not seeing theresults they need from their savings and investments with Brexit just servingto shine a spotlight on their fears. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/how-to-invest-your-inheritance-nnbj7 monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524765-15UO7JO96CHPK75HICN3/BP70IMAGE.jpg Blog - How to Invest your Inheritance - How to Invest your Inheritance Nobody likes to think about when the worst happens but the reality isthat dealing with the death of a loved one is difficult enough. When youintroduce the admin, mountains of paperwork and the challenge of understandinghow to invest your inheritance, things can feel overwhelming. Many people don’t even consider the idea of investing their inheritance until the time comes to potentially do so. But it’s important not to fritter away anything you do inherit because this can have a negative impact both practically and emotionally. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/charities-and-cash-management-8lcxy monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524490-BXKIMURPLLVUX2F4OUCY/shutterstock_333053624-1.jpg Blog - Charities and Cash Management - Charities and Cash Management As introducers to one of the most innovative and secure cash management services on the market, we have already extolled the virtues of a safe, one-stop-shop service that efficiently manages your cash, maximises interest income and minimises risk. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/revolutionising-cash-management-crz77 monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525145-WNAFIHYQ2TKCN5LBYE5M/shutterstock_121938562.jpg Blog - Revolutionising Cash Management - Revolutionising Cash Management Our team at Vintage is delighted to be offering our individual and corporate clients introductions to a state-of-the-art online cash management service. Learning how to manage money is a specialist skill, and the difference between effective and ineffective management can mean thousands of pounds to yourself, your family or your business. If you’re sitting with excess cash deposits in a personal or business context, and/or you prefer to take a more cautious approach when it comes to investing your cash, then this is the ideal service for you. Our advisers will enable access to an innovative, web-enabled cash management service that cuts through the noise and right down to the chase. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/your-financial-planning-and-moving-abroad-checklist-98bs6 monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328525523-9YJ61FTV1ZTJ813Q6ST5/BP67iMAGE.jpg Blog - Your Financial Planning and Moving Abroad Checklist - Your Financial Planning and Moving Abroad Checklist There are manyramifications of a no-deal Brexit and UK expats are among those who may be theworst affected if a deal is not made. Pension pots and healthcare plans are twoof the biggest worries that may see thousands of expats have no choice but toreturn to the UK. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/do-you-need-business-protection-x85gx monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524562-XTO4R7D8NX7HNX09APHH/shutterstock_192798050.jpg Blog - Do You Need Business Protection? - Do You Need Business Protection? If you are asking yourself whether you need business protection, then you are asking the wrong question. Because it should not be a question at all. Companies and partnerships all spend considerable monies on insuring assets such as vehicles, buildings and stock. They also take out insurance on loss of profits,liability, employee benefits, medical expenses and more. So surely the most important business assets should be protected – theowner-managed shareholders? https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-buying-property-overseas-px4me monthly 0.5 2025-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524634-HKM4XELDPDZNBPDH7CF5/shutterstock_710428765.jpg Blog - Everything you Need to Know About Buying Property Overseas - Everything you Need to Know About Buying Property Overseas Whether you’re buying a property at home orabroad, finding the best mortgage deal is essential. When it comes to findingyour ideal property overseas, there are a number of factors you must take intoaccount to ensure that you get the best value for money and complete all duediligence. While the overseas mortgage market has traditionallycatered to retirees looking for a place in the sun to live out their goldenyears, the market has expanded in recent times to cater to other demographics. This includes sportspeople looking for a permanent holiday home overseas or a base following transfer to a foreign club. Some first time buyers are also looking overseas as a more viable option for climbing their first rung on the property ladder within a more affordable market. Other investors want to diversify their property portfolio by securing assets outside the UK. https://www.vintagewealthinternational.com/blog/addressing-the-cost-of-care-with-the-sandwich-generation-wz294 monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6853e4b6197afd726a839fc3/1750328524333-AX9XAYOJV1H7BBWEOA4X/shutterstock_611163104.jpg Blog - Addressing the Cost of Care with the Sandwich Generation - Addressing the Cost of Care with the Sandwich Generation During the festive season where food, drink and merriness abound, it’s sometimes easy to forgetthat this time of year can be challenging for many of us. 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