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What have you done with your pension money?

Aegon regulatory strategy director Steven Cameron says providers need to do a better job of explaining what can be done within pension products or with pension funds.

“People think if it’s in their bank account they have ready access to it when they need it, where as they probably don’t think that’s the case within their pension.

“Investing in a bank account is hardly an investment strategy apart from that your money can’t go down in value in nominal terms.”

If you have very small pensions and require a cash amount then cashing in your pot, taking the money and putting the rest in a bank account isn’t too much of a problem. But for bigger pots above £30,000 the tax consequence, impact of inflation on cash, and the lowering of bank deposit guarantees need to be made absolutely crystal clear.

That´s where Blacktower can help you –  we work hard with all our clients to find the best and most tax efficient investment plan to suit your individual needs. We are completely independent so can offer you products from various providers from across the financial market place.

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

FCA and TPR Join Forces to Improve Outcomes

This month the two main pensions regulatory bodies, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and The Pensions Regulator (TPR), announced that they have joined forces to improve the prospects of retirees and pension savers. Previously, the two have worked together in an attempt to protect savers from pension scams.

The fact that the two regulators are thinking big by developing a strategy for the next five to ten years is good news as it gives some time for objectives to be fully understood and reached, and the published strategy will hopefully lead to greater numbers of savers having sufficient income once they reach retirement.

Initially, the two regulators oversaw a comprehensive review of the consumer pensions experience – particularly regarding how and why savers make the decisions they do. The published strategy now seeks to encourage pension providers to increase value for money, with an enforcement of standards and principles amongst the pension industry a key component of this aim.

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Go Dutch?

French FlagBritish expats in the Netherlands are experiencing a difficult time at the moment. Not only do they have to deal with continued uncertainties over Brexit as well as government plans to overhaul the 30% expat tax break, they are also now having to digest news that the Dutch government is readying itself to publish new legislation regarding dual nationality.

However, early news suggests that developments on this final matter could prove to be rather more encouraging – albeit with a number of qualifications – with initial statements indicating that preparations are being made to reduce some of the restrictions on dual-nationality in the Netherlands.

As it stands, expats who wish to remain in the Netherlands and embrace Dutch citizenship are, in the majority of cases, obliged to renounce their nationality of origin. The choice is stark and onerous: go Dutch or stay as you are. This, of course, will prompt a number of British and Netherlands wealth management considerations and must be considered very carefully.

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