RETIREMENT PLANNING

The rules and regulations around pensions change regularly, so what may have been an efficient arrangement a few years ago might not be the best solution for you anymore.

Our expert team stays on top of this complex area, making sure your arrangements make the most of this vital component of your retirement planning.

From pension allowances to tax reliefs, we guide you through the maze and give you the confidence that comes with knowing your pension fund is working is hard as it can.

We will guide you through many of the big pension decisions, in areas such as ;

• Pension Allowances
• Tax Reliefs
• Lifetime Allowance

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.

The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time. The value of any tax reliefs depends on individual circumstances.

As your retirement date draws closer, you have a range of options as to what you do with your pension fund.

Pensions are now more flexible than used to be the case, and though this offers more opportunities if you’re nearing retirement, it is more important than ever to take expert advice.

We take a good look at your current situation, the plans you have in place, and your retirement goals. We discuss all the options with you, cutting through jargon and explaining everything in language you can understand, giving you peace of mind that the decisions you make are the right ones for you.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can, therefore, go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.

Saving towards a pension is a key component of most retirement plans, with a wide range of investment options available.

Self-invested pension plans – also known as SIPPs – are particularly flexible, although they are generally only suitable if you are already experienced at actively managing your investment.

SIPPs allow you to invest in a number of assets and asset classes including equities, unit trust, gilts and commercial property. Our team can talk you through the pros and cons of these pension plans, and help you decide whether this type of investment is right for you.

The investment growth within the fund is currently free from all UK Income Tax and Capital Gains Taxes.

The value of a SIPP can fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested.

The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time and are dependent on individual circumstances.

The flexibility of a SIPP allows you to spread the risk, especially if some investments perform badly. However, these do tend to have higher costs than a standard pension and active management is essential to maximise the benefits of the wider investment choice on offer. For these reasons, they will not be suitable for everybody and generally only those who are fairly experienced at actively managing their investment should consider this type of investment.

Most employees have some kind of pension arrangement through their place of work, but is it necessarily the best place to invest your money?

We understand all the ins and outs of employees’ pensions, and are able to talk you through options clearly and concisely.

Having some kind of pension arrangement in place is almost always a good thing, but we will help you look at a range of possibilities and discuss their pros and cons. By listening to your goals for the future and plans for retirement, we can help you understand whether or not you’re on track to achieve them – and if not, what you can do about it.

The value of a pension will be directly related to performance of the funds selected, and will fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested.

Although auto enrolment into workplace pension schemes has brought with it an undoubted administrative burden, it’s important to view these schemes as an important employee benefit.

A good scheme helps attract and retain high quality staff, and that can only be good for your business.

We help you understand your legal obligations and aim to make the entire process of setting up and administering a scheme as smooth as possible. As legislation changes – which it does from time to time – we keep everything up to date, so you can always be sure that you and your company remain compliant.

The value of a pension will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.

As in so many areas of working life, if you are self-employed, you are effectively on your own when it comes to arranging anything more than your basic state pension.

How do you choose a product that’s right for you, and how can you be sure how much you need to pay into it?

We are experts in guiding you through the entire process, from thinking about your needs in retirement to planning how you’ll get there. We understand that your income can vary from year to year, but that need not stop you preparing for the future you want.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.

Being a trustee in a defined benefit pension scheme can be a daunting task. You and your fellow trustees are responsible for protecting the scheme’s benefits, and it can be a complex and time-consuming process.

However, with us working alongside you, you can be confident of getting the best advice delivered clearly and comprehensively. We tailor our solution to your needs, offering a range of cost-effective services to help administer the scheme along with essential advice on investment management.

Being a trustee is a responsible position, but with our support it can be seriously rewarding too.