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Archive for the ‘Pension Equity’ Category
Monday, June 20th, 2011
News of failing pension equity funds might leave you worried about the security of your pension and retirement.
Many of us see pensions as a straightforward process: contribution, building a fund and using that fund upon retirement.
 I need pension equity advice However, the ever changing face of pension schemes and pension plans means there’s a lot more to understand and consider than ever before. Your pension could be invested in a mainly equity fund and when
markets take a dip, so could your pension.
Equity funds are funds invested into the stock market, but the rise and fall of the equity market will affect the value of your pension upon retirement.
Many of us aren’t even aware our pension is in an equity fund, or we don’t consider monitoring our pension at all; if you’re not monitoring and reviewing your pension regularly, how will you know if another global crisis threatens your entire pension fund?
The risk of pension equity funds may seem like placing your pension into an equity fund isn’t a good idea. Invested funds, however, have the potential to offer higher returns than standard pensions.
The risks associated with pension equity funds can also be avoided and easily monitored using pension planning strategies, annual pension performance reviews from an independent financial advisor or simply keeping a close eye on your pension fund.
Whether your pension is invested in an equity fund or not, financial help is available to keep you in control of your pension and fully aware of your pension plan’s performance.
 The risk of pension equity Your future retirement plans are dependant on the performance of your pension, particularly in equity funds.
The last thing you want in retirement is disappointment because your pension equity fund wasn’t what you expected. Planning for retirement, however, can help you avoid disappointment.
Consider what you want to do during your retirement and whether your current pension plan sounds ideal for your future. Think about whether you want to risk your pension in stock markets, or whether you want to opt for a lower return to avoid stock markets at all cost.
If you’re concerned about your pension equity fund, or are looking for guidance in monitoring and planning your retirement around your pension investment, consider Pensionlite for professional financial advice.
Pensionlite can help you gain control over your pension equity funds again.
If you’ve been left in the dark for years about your pension then maybe a performance review of your pension could help, or maybe your pension funds are performing well in the ever fluctuating stock market and you have nothing to worry about.
In any case, a pension performance review can really give you that peace of mind, knowing your pension is safe and waiting for you on retirement.
We can also guide you through the complex world of pension equity and help you keep on top of your pension. One performance review doesn’t guarantee a completely stable pension; you might want to consider reviewing your pension plan regularly, or implementing pension planning steps to monitor your pension equity funds.
 results of the pension comparison We can help put confidence back into your pension equity; our advice is free, with no obligation, delivered by expert pension specialist advisors and monitored by the FSA to ensure we only provide the highest quality service and highly accurate facts.
For more information on pension equity contact pensionlite today on 01952 279379
Tags: Pension Equity, pensions, release your pension, retirement
Posted in Pension Equity
Monday, May 9th, 2011
Do you want the good or the bad news first?
When presented with this scenario most people opt for the good news so we’ll go with that.
 It is possible to unlock pension equity and get your hands on thousands of pounds in a tax free cash lump sum.
The bad news is that it could cause serious harm to your quality of life in retirement and lead to the loss other pension benefits.
If you haven’t been completely put off the idea of pension release yet, read on to find out if it could be a realistic option for you.
Who is able to release pension equity?
Technically, anyone aged over 55 years old holding an individual pension plan is able to unlock some cash from their pension fund. However, this decision should not be taken lightly as there could be some serious financial implications in the future.
Releasing pension equity is not impossible, but it is only suitable to a small number of people in particular circumstances.
If you’re unsure whether you would be interested in unlocking pension equity, or would just like some further advice, contact Pensionlite today.
What are the benefits to unlocking pension equity from my fund?
?There are some circumstances where pension release is a very good idea, and can actually be of financial benefit.
These situations are few and far between, but can be the perfect opportunity to start your retirement with no financial worries.
 For example, you may have a few years left on your mortgage, but by unlocking pension equity, you could use the cash to pay off the remainder.
This would allow you to be free from any debt and unnecessary interest charges throughout your retirement.
If you think you might be in a situation where pension release could benefit you, it is recommended that you seek independent financial advice.
?Why shouldn’t I release pension equity?
As we mentioned, it is only really suitable to release your pension if you are in particular circumstances.
It is usually more beneficial to ensure that your pension funds are securely invested to receive the best return possible.
If you release pension equity early, you will have less cash available to purchase an annuity at retirement.
This means that your annual pension income will be dramatically reduced throughout your retirement years.
You might also lose any benefits or guarantees which were written into your pension contract.
For a full assessment of whether it is suitable for you to release pension equity, contact Pensionlite for a thorough review of your circumstances.
Pensionlite can help.Our Free, Independent, No Obligation Pension Reviews are designed to put you in a position of knowledge before you make any decisions.
It will not cost you a single 1p to accept a pension review & recommendation report tailored to you, your circumstances and aspirations.
What have you got to lose?
Pensionlite carries the prestigious status of Chartered Financial Planners.Our Chartered status, granted by the Privy Council, is our industries gold standard for financial planners and is currently held by less than 300 firms across the country.
This status brings with it serious obligations to ensure the advice, service and ongoing support we provide for you is of the highest quality, based solely on your researched needs and provided by someone of appropriate competency.
 We offer whole of market choice and have no links or ties to any single business or organisation.
Our aim is to provide our clients with tailored solutions, created by advisers with particular skills and specialist qualifications.
Our advice process is always to gather a full understanding of our client’s needs, circumstances and aspirations together with detailed analysis of any existing arrangements and make written recommendations before any decisions or actions are taken.
We provide free, independent, no obligation review and recommendation reports covering all aspects of our specialist areas of work.
Knowledge is power and unless you know, how can you decide on a course of action.
For more information about Pension Equity, then contact us by telephone 01952 279 379, or e mail enquiries@pensionlite.co.uk.
Tags: equity, pension advice, Pension Equity, pensionlite, pensions, release pension equity
Posted in Pension Equity
Friday, March 25th, 2011
Many people struggle through their last years in employment making ends meet and ensuring that they are fully prepared for retirement, and when obtaining credit is harder than ever before, getting your hands on cash can be very difficult. But, did you know that you could release up 25% pension equity from your fund at the age of 55?
 Releasing or unlocking your pension is when you obtain up to 25% of your pension fund in a tax free cash lump sum. There are no eligibility criteria aside from holding a personal pension and being over the age 55. Of course, releasing pension equity does not mean you have actually retired from employment and as such, you are free to continue making pension contributions as normal.
The benefits to releasing pension equity are so appealing, particularly if you are in a difficult financial situation, that many people do not consider the drawbacks. It is essential that you realise that pension release is a major financial decision which should not be embarked upon lightly.
As pension schemes are generally very complicated and difficult to understand, it is important to obtain all the information about your current plan before seeking professional advice.
There are numerous factors that your pension advisor will have to consider such as whether your current provider allows for the early release of equity. If not, it may be necessary to transfer your pension to a provider that does and then release the capital.
The amount of pension equity that you are entitled to will differ depending on the size of your fund, and 25% is typically the most you will be able to receive. Although this tax free lump sum may prove to be beneficial, you need to consider your retirement priorities before making a final decision.
If you do decide to go for pension release, have you considered the remainder of your fund and the best investment choice for it? Professional financial advice is absolutely essential throughout the entire pension equity release process and during the aftermath.
The pros and cons of any major financial decision need to be weighed up before committing to it but it is particularly important with pension release. This is a huge step to take and is only suitable for a small number of people in a certain circumstances, but if you are one of these people, releasing pension equity could be life changing.
Pensionlite are able to offer specialist financial advice on pensions, and although we are able to guide you through the pension release process, we do discuss every detail with you to ensure that you fully understand the disadvantages.
Pension release will dramatically reduce the funds you have available to purchase an annuity, and will often lead to the loss of and benefits or guarantees written into your scheme. As such, Pensionlite will never advise releasing pension equity unless you are confident that you will be able to sustain a good standard of living throughout retirement.
Pension&Investor Lite carries the prestigious status of Chartered Financial Planners.
Our Chartered status, granted by the Privy Council, is our industries gold standard for financial planners and is currently held by less than 300 firms across the country.
 This status brings with it serious obligations to ensure the advice, service and ongoing support we provide for you is of the highest quality, based solely on your researched needs and provided by someone of appropriate competency.
Pension & Investor Lite, is an Independent Financial Adviser firm, Directly Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority, specialising in Pensions & Investment.
We offer whole of market choice and have no links or ties to any single business or organisation.
Our aim is to provide our clients with tailored solutions, created by advisers with particular skills and specialist qualifications.
Our advice process is always to gather a full understand our clients needs, circumstances and aspirations together with detailed analysis of any existing arrangements and make written recommendations before any decisions or actions are taken.
We provide free, independent, no obligation review and recommendation reports covering all aspects of our specialist areas of work.
Knowledge is power and unless you know, how can you decide on a course of action.
We look forward to being of service.
To contact us telephone 01952 279 379, e mail enquiries@pensionlite.co.uk for more information about pension equity
Tags: pension advice, pension comparison, Pension Equity
Posted in Pension Equity
Tuesday, December 14th, 2010
Make no mistake it is a giant step to take, yet many find the prospect of releasing pension equity early appealing, particularly if they have financial difficulties and no alternative means to generate the desired capital.
 It is crucial to realise that releasing pension equity early, while certainly bringing short term benefits, will mean the pension income you will draw when finally entering into your retirement years will be subject to a significant reduction.
Naturally, as should be case with any decisions being made regarding your pension, independent specialist advice should be obtained before going ahead with pension equity release.
Many believe that it is necessary to already be retired to release pension equity early, but this is not the case. The only hard rule is that the pension holder must be over 55 years of age.
If you continue to work and seek pension equity release it will only be able to be released from an individual pension plan, you will not be permitted to draw pension equity from any pension plan you hold with your employer while you continue in your employment and make contributions to the pension fund.
It is necessary to have a full understanding of the ins and outs of your existing pension plan, which requires help from a specialist pensions adviser, who will check through the finer details, analyse the pension features and establish whether your current pension plan allows the early release of pension equity.
If it is found that the pension plan you are holding does not permit pension equity to be released early, which is often the case, do not despair as it is possible to transfer the pension fund to another pension scheme which does allow pension equity release, although you must be aware that penalty fees will often be charged and it can take some time for the transfer to be completed.
Many see the tax free cash sum they receive as a genuine benefit, particularly if they have pressing financial concerns, which offsets the penalty charges incurred and the reduction in the amount of pension income they will receive when they eventually retire.
However, as already mentioned, any decision concerning your pension holds a great deal of gravity, as many people rely solely on their pension to sustain them through their retirement and provide the financial security which enables them to live out their final years in tranquillity.
Releasing pension equity will definitely reduce the amount of pension income you will receive, so it is extremely important to discuss in depth with a specialist pensions adviser the outcomes of early pension equity release, weighing up the pros and cons.
Once transferred, if it is necessary to do so, the pension holder is usually entitled to release a quarter of their total pension equity value, with the cash amount received being tax free. It is wise to look for the very best pension plan on the market in which to invest the remainder of your pension fund, which the specialist pensions adviser will help you identify.
Before choosing to release pension equity early it is essential that you consider your priorities and carefully formulate a detailed financial plan for your future.
Tags: pension, Pension Equity, pension plans, pension review, pensionlite
Posted in Pension Equity
Sunday, October 24th, 2010
Releasing pension equity early is a big step which demands careful consideration. Taking benefits early will mean a reduction in your pension income when you eventually enter into retirement and anyone contemplating an early release of their pension equity should seek specialist advice before making their final decision.
Anyone over the age of 55 can benefit from releasing pension equity early, receiving tax free cash from their pension fund and enjoying the freedom that the money can provide. There is of course no need to retire to release pension equity early. An individual can continue to work, although funds will not be able to be released from the pension scheme of your current employer while still making contributions.
 Pension schemes can often be extremely complex and hard to fully fathom. Each pension fund will have been customised for each individual, so if you are considering releasing pension equity early, it is imperative that you obtain the complete details of your current pension arrangements before seeking specialist advice on the best way for you to release the pension equity from your fund.
Often an individual’s existing pension scheme does not permit the release of pension equity early, so the specialist advisers you talk to will need to transfer the pension to another scheme which does allow the pension equity to be freed up and paid directly to you. However, this can take some time to complete and penalty charges are often incurred.
Naturally, the advantages and disadvantages must be weighed up before releasing pension equity early and you should be sure to fully check over all the details with a specialist adviser. They will be able to highlight all the pertinent issues and make sound recommendations based on your personal circumstances. Charges and fees must be checked against the tax free lump sum you will be receiving when releasing the pension equity and of course the overall impact the release will have on your pension income when you finally retire must be concentrated upon.
There are a number of factors, such as your objectives and the size of your fund, which will impact upon the maximum amount of pension equity you will be able to receive. In most cases the individual releasing pension equity early is entitled to 25% of the value of your pension once it has been successfully transferred. Naturally, the released tax free cash will be a great benefit, but you should bear in mind how important it is to provide for your retirement and must consider your options and priorities before making a final choice.
If you do opt to release part of your pension equity early, you will also need to seek advice regarding the wise investment of the remainder of your pension fund, which will of course be what sustains you in your retirement. Search widely and ensure you purchase the best pension plan that fully meets your retirement requirements.
Releasing pension equity early is a large step to make and will only be suitable for people whose priority is to obtain a significant amount of tax free cash for a genuine need. Take time to fully consider alternative options and seek independent specialist advice from a reputable body.
Tags: advice, equity, individual, lite, Pension Equity, pensions, provide, release, specialist
Posted in Pension Equity 1 Comment »
Sunday, August 29th, 2010
For many of us our pensions are simply a fund that we pay into each month that we know will be of benefit to us in the long term. Unfortunately the financial situation, and the failure of so many pension equity funds, means it’s now dangerous to risk such a devil may care attitude.
The money you pay into a pension scheme, either occupational or personal, is likely to be invested in an equity fund. This is basically a fund that is invested in the stock market. Fund managers, often extremely well remunerated, are employed to manage these investments.
Although it is all too easy to ignore how your personal pension scheme is performing, your failure to monitor it could result in a nasty surprise when you retire.
Pensionlite can make reviewing your pension investments incredibly simple. By providing you with a free report into your current pension provision Pensionlite’s team of experts can help you spot an under-performing investment and provide no obligation recommendations should you decide that you want to transfer to another provider.
Financial turbulence and stock market fluctuations might fill the news each day but it can be difficult at times to relate billion pound headlines and complicated economic stories to our own finances.
Unfortunately our pensions are often at the centre of the storm. If you don’t keep an eye on your pension’s performance or if you are unaware of where your pension is invested then there is a risk that you could be completely unaware that the news story about millions being wiped off the value of shares is having a huge impact in the size of your pension pot.
You might be comfortable embarking on a great stock market gamble with your pension equity. But if you are more risk averse then it is important to remember that there are different investment funds available that might be more suited to your needs.
Perhaps you would be more comfortable with a fund that offers more modest returns but does so more consistently and reliably than a fund that rockets at times but is also prone to worryingly regular dips.
Or maybe you would feel more comfortable knowing that your pension fund was being invested in ethically or environmentally sound stocks.
The important thing to remember is that you are in control. It is relatively straightforward to come up with a personal pension plan that suits your attitude to stock market risk taking, your own financial circumstances and your future plans for retirement.
And who wouldn’t want that level of control over something as important as their personal pension?
Unfortunately it can seem difficult to exercise that control without some help. Pensionlite are the market leaders in providing that assistance.
By taking the time and effort to really understand your aspirations, plans and attitudes as well as your financial situation Pensionlite can offer the kind of independent advice that allows you to make informed decisions that will really benefit you.
Simply by putting you back in control of your personal pension equity Pensionlite are able to provide you with the peace of mind that a faceless and unknown investment fund is unable to offer.
That means you will have the confidence that comes from being in control and the security to begin looking forward to your retirement.
Tags: advice, equity, investment, pension, pensionlite, pensions
Posted in Pension Equity
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Pension & Investor Lite, Pensionlite, Investorlite and ISAlite are the trading styles of Advicelite Ltd, which is Authorised and Regulated by The Financial Services Authority.
Registered office Summit House, Wanstead, London E11 2AA. Registration number 05217472
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