Financial planning

Free banking is 'a dangerous myth'

May 24, 2012 - 11:17am | Ruth Jackson

The idea that banking is free is a 'dangerous myth', according to Andrew Bailey, who is set to become the chief regulator of the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) when it launches in mid-2013.

Boost your income with childcare vouchers

Boost your income with childcare vouchers

May 24, 2012 - 8:58am | Laura Czapiewski of Edenred

Laura Czapiewski explains how childcare vouchers can reduce household costs for working families.

Income could drop by 55 per cent for drawdown customers

Income could drop by 55 per cent for drawdown customers

May 21, 2012 - 11:01am | Ruth Emery

Income drawdown customers are being warned to prepare for their income to halve as drawdown gilt yields hit 2.5 per cent.

Long-term care costs to hit £33,000 per year

Long-term care costs to hit £33,000 per year

May 4, 2012 - 10:35am | Rebecca Rutt

The annual cost of long-term care will rise by 27 per cent to £33,000 per person by 2025, up from £26,000 today, a survey by LV= reveals.

Mr & Mrs Smith unveils 7.5 per cent retail bond

Mr & Mrs Smith unveils 7.5 per cent retail bond

April 30, 2012 - 3:56pm | Cathy Adams

Luxury travel company Mr & Mrs Smith has launched a fixed-rate retail bond paying 7.5 per cent. 

The Smith Bond will pay interest twice-yearly over the four-year term.

Tax error letter sent to 12,000 people

Tax error letter sent to 12,000 people

April 27, 2012 - 1:21pm | Rebecca Rutt

Letters have been sent out by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to 12,000 people in error asking them to pay a penalty fine for a late self-assessment tax return.

Rules relaxed for defined benefit pension schemes

Rules relaxed for defined benefit pension schemes

April 27, 2012 - 11:09am | Ruth Emery

The Pensions Regulator has advised more than 2,000 company pension schemes that certain rules may be relaxed to help them plug their deficits during the difficult market conditions.

Work until 75 for a comfortable retirement

Work until 75 for a comfortable retirement

April 26, 2012 - 12:44pm | Ruth Jackson

Millions of people will have to work until they are over 75 because they aren't saving enough for a comfortable retirement.

Savers and pensioners must make the best of a bad situation

Savers and pensioners must make the best of a bad situation

April 24, 2012 - 8:55am | Anna Sofat of Addidi Wealth Management

With interest rates at an all-time low, savers and pensioners must shop around for the best rates on savings accounts and annuities, says Anna Sofat.

Tax breaks on forestry investments

Tax breaks on forestry investments

April 23, 2012 - 3:34pm | Ceri Jones

A longstanding attraction of a UK forestry investment is that, provided it is run as a business and held for more than two years, it will qualify for the business property relief exemption from inheritance tax and also produce periodic tax-free income as trees are felled and the timber sold.