Simon Read

4 days ago | financialplanningtoday.co.uk | Simon Read

Advisers and clients have become more concerned about wealth transfer since the Government’s proposals in the Autumn Budget to include unused pension assets in the estate for inheritance tax. Some 92% of advisers said they have held conversations with clients about wealth transfer since the Budget, according to the latest Schroders UK Financial Adviser Pulse Survey. The anticipated implementation date of April 2027 is driving the focus, according to the research.

4 days ago | financialplanningtoday.co.uk | Simon Read

The Women’s Wealth Alliance (WWA) has launched a landmark survey of women in person finance to build a picture of the career journeys and lived experiences of women working in the sector. The recently formed WWA is a working group of independent professional body the Consumer Duty Alliance. It aims to attract more women into personal finance and into Financial Planning in particular.

4 days ago | financialplanningtoday.co.uk | Simon Read

The FCA has today confirmed that it will only partially axe its 'name and shame' proposals for firms under investigation. In its finalised revisions to its Enforcement Guide published this morning it said firms under investigation will be named and shamed in “exceptional circumstances”.

4 days ago | financialplanningtoday.co.uk | Simon Read

The Serious Fraud Office has launched an investigation into a solar farm investment firm over alleged fraud committed against Thurrock Council. The Essex council was declared bankrupt in December 2022 after it lost millions investing in solar farms through the firm. The SFO said between 2016 and 2020, Thurrock Council invested hundreds of millions into solar farms, via a bond scheme sold by the UK-based Rockfire Investment Finance Plc and other companies operating within the Rockfire Group.

4 days ago | financialplanningtoday.co.uk | Simon Read

The minimum amount someone needs in retirement has fallen, according to the latest update of the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association’s (PLSA) Retirement Living Standards report. But anyone seeking a moderate or comfortable retirement needs to find more cash to fund their post-work life. The PLSA sets three different retirement lifestyles – minimum, moderate, and comfortable, to give people an indication of the kind of lifestyle they may be on track for.