Evolve Financial Planners - Change Your Financial Future

News & resources

Emergency Budget - Evolve's response

Tuesday, 22 June 2010 17:05 |

The most pleasant surprise from the Emergency Budget, in respect of personal financial planning, was the lack of tinkering and additional complication. In particular, recent budgets have made the pensions landscape even more complicated than it already was and the fact that the Chancellor has announced an intention to simplify pensions rather than complicate them further is to be welcomed. We were also pleased that the changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) were less onerous than some commentators had predicted.

Evolve wins top 25 IFAs award

Tuesday, 22 June 2010 14:59 |

Evolve were recently selected as one of the top 25 IFAs according to Private Client Practitioner magazine. Evolve Managing Director Antony Williams accepted the award on behalf of the team at a reception in London's West End.

Inflation protection via NS&I

Tuesday, 22 June 2010 14:07 |

After a period of negative inflation in 2009, Retail Price Index (RPI) figures for January, February, March and April 2010 have been 3.7%, 3.7%, 4.4% and 5.3% respectively. There are no guarantees that this level of RPI will continue over the longer term but given the current high level, it is worth re-examining National Savings & Investments’ Index Linked Savings Certificates.

Pension changes to hit high earners

Tuesday, 01 December 2009 13:43 |

Now that the Finance Act 2009 has received Royal Assent, there are three key areas in relation to income tax and pensions that need to be understood and planned for:

Pension contributions in 2009/10 and 2010/11
Income tax planning from 2010/11 onwards
Pension contributions from 2011/12 onwards

Minimum pension age to increase

Tuesday, 01 December 2009 13:09 |

On 06/04/2010 the minimum age at which pension benefits can be taken will increase from the age of 50 to 55. According to a recent survey by AON Consulting, just under 25% of respondents (and less than a third of workers aged 45 – 54, i.e. those potentially most affected by the changes), said they were aware of the increase to the minimum retirement age.

ISA allowance increases for the over 50s

Tuesday, 29 September 2009 16:29 |

As of 6th October 2009, the over 50s have the opportunity to make use of the higher ISA allowance announced in the 2009 Budget. Those under 50 will have to wait until 6th April 2010 before they can make use of the higher limits.