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Here today, gone tomorrow?

So, when was the last time you talked to your financial adviser about what you should (or shouldn’t) be doing? Reviews should take place three or four times a year, and you should be able to reach your adviser easily by phone or email for updates or catch-ups at other times. There are many advisers who are determined and solicitous while they are trying to get your business, but few who remember they are meant to be meeting you regularly and providing ongoing advice and service.

Even when there aren’t any changes needed in your financial planning, making sure a client has peace of mind is a very important part of our job. A good advisory relationship should be based on trust and professionalism, so if you don’t feel properly taken care of – or don’t believe your IFA has your best interests at heart – you should look for someone who does.

Here at Blacktower, we want you to achieve your financial aspirations. Get in touch today.

This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, investment recommendations or investment research. You should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this communication is correct, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions.

Other News

City watchdog to probe pension freedom rip-offs

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched the investigation amid concerns that savers are in danger of being ripped off when they cash in their pensions. Insurers are to be probed by the City regulator over fears they are offering poor deals to savers who take advantage of new pension freedoms to dip into their nest eggs.

As you are probably aware from previous articles, new rules were introduced last year to allow savers to cash in their pension pots to spend as they like, rather than turning them into an annuity to pay for an income for life.  Reportedly, fears are growing that many customers are choosing the first pension their insurer offers them and risk missing out on the best deals. Findings suggest that in the final quarter of last year, 53 per cent of savers who chose to dip into their pensions stuck with the same insurer, while 57 per cent of those who signed up for an annuity didn’t move elsewhere.

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Do you hold substantial cash in Spain? If so read on….

IceHere in Spain, I hear no end of horror stories regarding the country’s financial institutions and laws. Unfortunately, I too have been on the receiving end of unscrupulous and downright unfair treatment, but last week a client of mine of over four years called me in distress. For the avoidance of doubt, this is a true story.

My client is 86 years old and, sadly, her husband died eight months ago. Over four years ago she followed our recommendation of investing in a purpose-built Spanish portfolio bond with both her husband and her as lives assured. This meant that should either partner die before the other, the bond would continue as if nothing had happened, thereby not triggering a Spanish Inheritance Tax calculation. In Spain unlike the UK, there is Inheritance Tax between spouses, however, because this particular bond is held outside Spain it avoids inheritance tax. This is a tool that we often use for clients in Spain.

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