Critical Illness Insurance

Over many years I have rarely recommended a client to take out critical illness cover because I was always acutely aware of the “small print” which suggested that unless you had the “correct type of heart attack” the policy would not pay out. I would not have liked my...

Pension Drawdown Withdrawal Reduction

Pension Drawdown Investors who have a pension drawdown scheme which is due to be reviewed in the next few months will be in for a shock if they are taking maximum drawdown. The amount they are able to withdraw is likely to be considerably reduced for the following...

Financial planning – getting started

When we talk about financial planning clients frequently think that they have to have lots of money to undertake such an exercise this is not so, the earlier you start the better. The first step in a financial plan, is to have your life plan (see January article) and...

Bristol Zoo’s Wow! Gorillas are Apps-olutely gorilliant!

With the success and popularity of Bristol Zoo’s Wow! Gorillas, the Zoo is now launching two free mobile phone apps and an online photo competition for the project. The apps – one for Android phones and another for iPhones – aim to help as many people as...

Market Summary August 2011

Investor concerns Last week was the worst week for global equity markets since the depth of the financial crisis. The FTSE100 saw a drop of 10 percent – the worst since November 2008. Clients are understandably concerned. However we think it is important to put...