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The Difference Between a SIPP and a SSAS: A Guide to Understanding Your Pension Options
When it comes to managing your pension, there are several options available to ensure you have the flexibility and control you need over your retirement funds. Two popular pension schemes in the UK are the Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) and the Small...
What Does a Financial Adviser Do?
A financial adviser is an expert who helps individuals and businesses make informed decisions about their finances. From managing investments to planning for retirement, a financial adviser provides personalised advice tailored to the unique goals and needs of each...
How Much Does a Financial Adviser Cost?
At Howard Wright Financial Planning, we have been helping individuals and families with their finances since the 1930s, offering expert advice across the UK. One of the most common questions we receive is, “How much does a financial adviser cost?”. This is an...
What to Do If Your Financial Adviser Has Just Sold Their Business
When your financial adviser sells their business, it can feel unsettling. You’ve built a relationship and trusted them over many years and now you’re faced with a substantial change. If your adviser has recently sold their business, here are some key steps to ensure...
When Can I Afford to Retire and What to Consider?
As you progress through your working life, it’s easy to picture retirement through rose-tinted glasses, dreaming of the day you finally step away and retire. But how do you determine when that day should actually arrive or how much money or income you will need?...
Why a Power of Attorney is Essential
A Power of Attorney (POA) allows you to appoint an individual or multiple people you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you're unable to do so. It's a crucial aspect of financial planning, as it ensures that important decisions can still be made even if you...
What is The Fed, and Why Does It Matter?
You may have noticed the 24-hour news cycle frequently asking, “What will the Fed do next?” as they attempt, often unsuccessfully, to predict the next move in global markets. The Federal Reserve (Fed), the central bank of the United States, plays a crucial role in...
Top 100 Financial Adviser 2023 Award
Today's blog is going to be a little different than others as we have some very exciting news to share with you. We are extremely happy to announce that we have been awarded Top 100 status by the FT Adviser once again. What are the criteria and what sets us apart from...
What is an Annuity?
A pension annuity is a financial product you can purchase with your retirement savings to convert them into a guaranteed income stream for life. Although there are other ways you can access your pension pot, an annuity offers the security of knowing exactly how much...
Have You Left Instructions On What Happens to Your Estate?
In today's article, I'm going to explain why it's so important to leave instructions as to what you would like to happen with your estate. Many of us don’t like to think about what will happen after we’re gone, and that’s perfectly understandable. But it’s really...
What is a Chartered Financial Adviser and What Does It Mean?
In the complex and often overwhelming world of financial planning, it's crucial to have a trusted and highly qualified professional by your side. One such professional is a Chartered Financial Adviser (CFA). But what exactly does it mean to be a Chartered Financial...
Why Should I Carry Out a Financial Review
When you create a financial strategy, you often have medium- to long-term goals in mind. However, life is dynamic, and circumstances can change significantly over time. You may experience positive changes, such as landing a higher-paying job, upgrading to a more...
Why Asset Allocation Matters to Investors
Investing your hard-earned money is a journey filled with both opportunities and risks. Perhaps the only certainty in the world of investments is that their value will fluctuate, and sometimes unpredictably so. To navigate these turbulent waters successfully, careful...
What is putting you off from investing
Investing is a smart and effective way to maximize your income and ensure that your money is working hard for you. However, despite its potential benefits, many individuals remain hesitant to start investing. A recent study by Lloyds Bank identified several reasons...
What is a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP)?
In today's blog we are going to be discussing Self Invested Personal Pensions or which are more commonly known as Sipp’s. These are designed to give you greater control over your retirement savings.What makes a Sipp different to other pensions? The key difference...
The Importance of Life Cover – Protecting What Matters Most with Howard Wright Financial Planning
Introduction Life is filled with uncertainties, and while we all hope for the best, it's crucial to prepare for the unexpected. One of the most effective ways to safeguard your loved ones and provide them with financial security in case of your untimely demise is by...
The Synergy of Accountants and Financial Advisers: A Recipe for Financial Success
In the complex world of personal and business finance, there are two professionals who play crucial roles in helping individuals and organizations make the most of their financial resources, Accountants and Financial Advisers. While they often have distinct areas of...
Time is Running Out: The Urgent Need to Save for Retirement
In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to push thoughts of retirement to the backburner. Many people, especially those in their 20s and 30s, believe they have all the time in the world to save for retirement. However, the reality is quite different....
A Step-by-Step Guide to Claiming Your State Pension in the UK
Introduction Retirement is a milestone that many of us look forward to, but navigating the pension system alone can be a daunting task. In the United Kingdom, one of the primary sources of retirement income is the State Pension. This blog will provide you with a...
Why Do I Need an Emergency Fund?
Life has a way of throwing unexpected curveballs, even when we’re diligently planning for the future. These unforeseen events can be financially challenging, which is why it’s crucial to have an emergency fund in place.
Top Tips on How to Choose a Financial Adviser
Top tips on how to choose a financial adviser. If you follow these tips, you will be well on your way to be working with an adviser that can help you define and achieve your financial goals.
Is it Time to Get a Financial Adviser?
With so much choice, information, economic uncertainty and technical jargon regarding finances where do you even begin to start? Here at Howard Wright we aim to make this clearer for you, find out more with this article.
Is it Ever Too Late to Start Pension Planning?
Is it too late to secure a comfortable and secure retirement? The short answer is no. Allow Howard Wright to set the record straight on pension planning.
Are You Confident in Making Financial Decisions?
Are you confident in making financial decisions? If you were asked to make big financial decisions, how sure are you that you’d make the right ones? Wise up with this article.
What is the State Pension Age and When is the State Pension Going to Increase?
Find out what the current state pension amount is and what impacts, upcoming changes to the entitlement age will have in 2023 and the near future.
How to Teach Your Children Good Financial Habits
Teach your children good financial habits, with these top 5 points from a Chartered Financial Planning Professional.
6 Common Investment Mistakes to Avoid
Investing is a great way to increase your wealth and work towards your desires. This article we’ll discuss the most common investment mistakes to avoid.
How to Make the Most of a Junior ISA
As of 6th April, the amount you can put into a Junior ISA per annum has increased. Here we take a look at the possibilities of securing your families future.
How to Save Money for Your Children or Grandchildren
We all want our children or grandchildren to have the best start in life. Here we look at some of the most commonly used options for saving and investing money for future generations.
Financial Planning: Myths and Misconceptions
Financial planning myths and misconceptions. Let’s explore some of the most common myths we hear around this issue and debunk them one by one
How to Consolidate Your Old Pensions
In this article we’re going to be discussing how to consolidate your old pensions. Very few of us have a job for life so how do we keep track and get control of our financial future?
Why do I need Life Cover?
Life Cover. One of the most important elements of any financial plan. Let’s discuss the needs and requirements to ensure protection for your family.
Inheritance Tax (Part 3) – Trusts Products through your Financial Adviser
In this article, we look at some of the most popular trust-based products available, usually through a financial adviser.
Inheritance Tax (Part 2) – Basic Trust Types – Absolute Trust & Discretionary Trust
There are a variety of different products available which use trusts in order to mitigate an IHT liability. In this article we’ll look at the high level features of these.
Should I Invest In a Pension?
The topic of pensions can be very daunting and confusing. Whilst pensions may not be right for everyone, for most, they can be a very tax-efficient way of saving for the future, and not just for retirement.
Active or Passive Investing which one is best?
When investing your money, choosing an investment strategy can be as important as the risk level that you take. So begs the question, Active or Passive Investing, which one is best?
What is the Pension Annual Allowance?
What is the pension annual allowance? In this article, we’ll explain the Pension Annual Allowance and how it affects your finances.
Buying a Property through your Pension
Purchasing property through a pension? What are property funds? How is Vat calculated on the property purchases? We answer these questions and more in this article.
The 60% Tax Trap Explained
They say that there are only two things guaranteed in life, death and taxes. In this article, we are going to discuss income tax and an often overlooked or unknown 60% tax rate.
Inheritance Tax (Part 1)
Inheritance Tax is one of those taxes that many of our clients wish to explore as taking action early enough can mean that you are able to reduce or even completely eradicate the tax liability. Find out more in part 1 of the Inheritance Tax series.
Do you need an IFA in Wolverhampton? What about Whole of Market Restricted advice?
Independent Financial Advice (IFA) and Restricted Advice… What are the differences and how does this affect the advice you receive?
Pension Annual Allowance
Pensions are a great way of saving for your financial future in a tax-efficient manner. In this article we cover the ins and outs of the Pension Annual Allowance.
What is the State Pension?
The state pension is a fundamental cornerstone of any retirement or financial plan. In this article, we’ll be looking at in detail and what it means for you!
Have I saved enough for retirement?
How much do I need to save for retirement? What do I need to do to retire? Howard Wright Financial Planning answers the most common questions in this article.
What is Inflation?
Inflation is the increase in the cost of living over a 12-month period. We look at the implications of this and your financial planning, in this article.
What is a Recession?
In this article, Ashley Smith Chartered Financial Planner at Howard Wright explains what is a recession and how it affects your money.
What happens to my pension if I die?
In this article, Ashley Smith, Chartered Financial Planner at Howard Wright, explains something very important – Pensions and what happens to them if you pass away. It’s a sensitive topic, but it’s important to understand what happens to your money in such a situation.
Why have Interest rates increased?
The Bank of England has increased its official interest rate from 0.1% in October 2021 to 4% at the time of writing in February 2023. But why have they done this and how does it impact you?
Should I switch to cash?
In this article, Ashley explains timing investment markets and whether you should switch to cash when markets are falling.
Am I too young to save for retirement? – The power of compound interest
Many people believe they are too young to start saving towards retirement as it’s so far away, but this couldn’t be further from the truth and we are going to examine why.
