AM&A Investment & Pension Planning

New football season, new kit...
AM&A Investment & Pension Planning are proud to sponsor the SFC Under 9's away kit for 2022/23
Looking forward to another great year!
Scott Shulton

How do you stay calm while investing?

The invasion of Ukraine has shaken emotions and certainties as the world watches a growing humanitarian disaster.

The reactions of global markets, which had misread President Putin’s strategy as much as many politicians, were similarly sent into crisis mode.

It’s easy and tempting to sell out and hope to get back in at the bottom.

But actually, timing a market return is hard and very tricky – almost impossible – and the benefits of long-term investing come from time in the market.

If you are a long-term investor with a diversified portfolio, the cliché of ‘Keep calm and carry on’ is as good a maxim as any, even in these far from normal times.

Read our blog: "Two weeks that shook the world: reacting to Ukraine" - link in comments below 👇🏻.

"Spring has sprung"

🌷🌹🌻🌼

After a cold winter, the days are getting warmer, the grass is green, the trees are blossoming, and everything seems to have new life.

Which means it must be time to start thinking about spring cleaning.

🧼🧽🧹

And I don't just mean your house.

Now is the perfect time to clean up your finances too. It could help get you on track for the coming tax year, as well as boost your savings.

😁😁😁

It's the perfect time to consult with a financial professional to check you're on track with your current and long-term financial goals.

Is your finger on the trigger?

How brave are you?

Happy New Year! 🎉 We’re now in the year of the Tiger according to the Chinese zodiac, which can symbolise resilience and strength.

That may well be required after Wednesday 6 April ushers in the new 2022/23 tax year.

New years are normally a cause – or excuse – for celebration (even if the pandemic has changed that in recent times). From a personal financial standpoint, this upcoming tax year may well offer more concern than celebration.

Changes are afoot in the following areas:
🔹 Income tax
🔹 National Insurance
🔹 Pensions
🔹 VAT.

(More details on these changes can be found in our blog "Happy New (Tax) Year" - link in comments below 👇🏻)

The new year is a time of resolutions and the same is true of the new tax year. In this instance, the resolution should be to make sure your personal finances are as prepared as possible for the taxing times ahead.

Do you know how your personal situation will be affected?

(It is always recommended to take professional financial advice.)

Our latest Key Guides update for January covers the impact of rising inflation, market fluctuations and factors affecting estate planning, providing guidance on a range of issues for you and your family.

Guides - am&a Our Key Guides cover a range of topical issues in a way that is simple and easy to understand. They are regularly updated to reflect the latest legislation, facts and figures.

Are you lastminute . com?

There are some things in life that you really do need to prepare in advance for, because if you don't, there could be repercussions. And if you do, there could be lots to gain.

With Christmas and New Year distant memories, tax year-end planning should now be on your radar.

The 2021/22 tax year will end on Tuesday 5 April but the sooner you start the better, as some decisions cannot be made quickly.

Among the areas to consider this year are:
🔹 Pensions
🔹 Inheritance Tax
🔹 Capital Gains Tax.

Read our blog - link in comments below 👇🏻 - for more details on what you need to be thinking about.

If you think your personal finances could benefit from year-end planning, do not wait until the last moment to seek advice. Calculations will often need data that can take time to collect, particularly on the pensions front.

⚠ Don't let your tax allowances and reliefs go to waste.

Are you prepared?

If not now, when?

Make your financial wellbeing a priority for 2022.

(Seeking professional financial advice is always recommended.)

Looking forward to a successful and prosperous 2022.

Are you a high earner and feel you are paying more and more tax?

You are not alone.

Higher and additional rate taxpayers now pay about two thirds of all income tax.

More than one in seven income tax payers are currently taxed at the higher or additional rate and the proportion will increase significantly following the freezing of tax allowances and bands until April 2026, with no guarantees beyond that. The thresholds for phasing out the personal allowance and the start of the additional rate tax have both been unchanged since they came into force in April 2010.

The message is clear: if you want to reduce the amount of tax that you pay, the solution is in your own hands.

Planning could help you to lessen the rising tax burden.

But it is complicated, and has been made even more so by constant changes to the rules.

We make it our business to stay up-to-date with the latest developments, and to help clients take full advantage of the available tax breaks.

In particular, we can give guidance on:
▶Assessing your financial priorities and recommending a tailored retirement planning strategy.
▶Maximising pension contributions, using carry forward where appropriate.
▶Advising whether salary sacrifice could increase the amount invested in your pension at no extra cost to you or your employer.
▶The appropriateness of a SIPP, and the right investment strategy. ▶Transferring existing pension arrangements into your new pension arrangement.
▶Managing the move from saving to withdrawing from your pension.
▶Minimising IHT liabilities after your death.

Read AM&A Investment & Pension Planning's guide on 'Pension tax planning for high earners' for more detail on this subject - link in comments below.

Would you miss an MOT? 🚗

The reminder letter arrived last week...

It's that time of year when we get the summons to take our car in for its MOT.

We'd never dream of not taking it to the garage.

We need to know it's roadworthy and that everything is working as it should.

It's gives us peace of mind that we're safe.

This week at AM&A Investment & Pension Planning, we are starting our annual reviews. Every one of our clients has the opportunity to meet with us (face to face or online) to review their portfolio, check it still meets their needs, and discuss our recommendations for 2022.

This is a key part of our offering. By keeping in regular contact with our clients, we can make sure their investments are right for them.

We've got a busy couple of months ahead, but making sure our clients are looked after and feel secure that their money is in the
right place is our absolute priority.

When was the last time your finances had a safety check?

What would happen if you were unable to continue working?

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the associated condition of ‘long Covid’ has focused many people’s minds on the need for a rainy day fund and financial protection, particularly in light of greater awareness of the meagre nature of State support and the removal of the Universal Credit uplift.

While nothing can ease the emotional distress the virus has caused, and is continuing to cause, creating your own safety net can lessen its financial impact if you or your loved ones are directly affected by it or other serious illness.

Life and health insurance protection underpins most good financial planning.

These types of insurance can ensure that, should you or your family need it, the right amount of money will reach the right hands at the right time.

Read our updated Key Guide to find out what can you do to protect yourself and your loved ones financially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. Link in comments below 👇🏻.