Many people have invested in with-profits funds over the years.  When markets are down, with-profits fund managers often exercise something called a Market value reduction (MVR).  This is essentially a penalty for those withdrawing money from the fund.  The purpose of an MVR is to reflect the underlying fall in values and to protect those who remain invested in the fund.

At times like this it is often best to sit tight until the markets recover and the MVR is withdrawn.  However, sometimes there is a window of opportunity to withdraw capital without a penalty even while an MVR applies.

With-profits funds were very popular 10 years ago.  For this reason, many policy holders are reaching their 10 year anniversary.  It is a little known fact that some providers permit MVR free withdrawals at the 10 year anniversary.  For example, in October 2009, Aviva announced that this would apply to 33000 of their investment bond policyholders during the year.

This is a good example of why it is important to take advice not only when making a new investment, but also to review existing plans to see what improvements can be made.

If you think you would benefit from some investment advice, please contact Barry Sears at Professional Wealthcare.

This article is intended for guidance and is not advice.

You have probably heard of moneysupermarket.com, the comparison website.

You may already use this for comparing savings, mortgages or credit cards.

They are constantly developing the products and services they provide and are now introducing pension and investment advice via a trusted panel of advisers.

I am pleased to report that Professional Wealthcare is now on their panel for the local area.

At Professional Wealthcare, we put a lot of time and effort into helping people to manage their wealth.

However, not everyone is in this fortunate position and I am pleased to offer a service designed to help those who are in debt to get back on their feet.

So, if you know anyone who is:

• Unable to repay their debts
• Struggling to cover essential living costs
• Running up late payment and interest charges
• Receiving threatening phone calls or letters from creditors

Ask them to give me a call and I can put them in touch with someone who will:

• Listen carefully and understand their debt problems
• Provide free confidential help and advice suited to personal circumstances
• Explain the debt solutions available and determine which solution is the most suitable

Please note that this is a referral service to a trusted debt solutions company.



Personal Media Solutions is a Camberley based company who can protect, organise and declutter your precious photo, music and video memories so that you and your family can enjoy them more.

Their personalised service:

• Protects your precious memories by digitising your photos, music and videos.

• Organises your photos, music and videos in a simple menu system on a digital storage device.

• Declutters your home of photos, negatives, slides, records, cassettes, CDs, video tapes, DVDs etc.

• Installs a system to let you enjoy your media and the internet on your TV without using a computer.

For more information, you can visit their website at www.personalmediasolutions.co.uk

Alternatively you can telephone Martin Wallman on 01276 685968.

Will you earn over £100000 this year?

Do you know anyone who’s earning over £100000?

From 6th April 2010, the personal income tax allowance is being reduced for annual incomes above £100000, which means you will pay more tax!

One way of keeping your income tax allowance is to make a pension contribution, to reduce your adjusted income to below £100000.

The following examples are from the Prudential Adviser website. They show the effect of this and how making pension contributions can help to protect your personal allowance:

Alex has income for 2010-11 of £108,000.
Her personal allowance for that year will be reduced by
(£108,000 -£100,000) / 2 = £4,000

Assuming that the personal allowance for 2010-11 is £6,475 her available
allowance will be reduced to £2,475 and her tax liability for that year, assuming continuance of current rate bands, will be £34,730 (see below):

Income £108,000
Personal Allowance £ 2,475
Taxable £105,525
Tax £37,400 @ 20% £ 7,480
£68,125 @ 40% £ 27,250
Total tax liability £ 34,730

The effect of planning is most apparent where an individual’s income falls between £100,000 and £112,950 (assuming personal allowance remains at £6,475).

The following shows the impact on Alex’s tax liability (from case study 1) if she makes a pension contribution of £5,000 gross (£4,000 net of basic rate tax relief).

Income £108,000
Pension contribution £ 5,000
Taxable Income £103,000

Reduction in personal allowance (£103,000 – £100,000)/2 = £1,500
£6,475 – £1,500 = £4,975

Taxable Income £103,000
Personal Allowance £ 4,975
Taxable £98,025
Tax £37,400 @ 20% £ 7,480
£60,625 @ 40% £ 24,250
Total tax liability £ 31,730

Alex has achieved a reduction in her tax liability of £3,000 – equivalent to 60% of the pension contribution.

Please note that this article is for information and guidance purposes only. It does not constitute advice.

If you have a business to promote, why not join me at the forthcoming Best of Camberley Business Networking event on Thursday 20th May at 6.30 pm.

You will be able to enjoy 2 hours of Networking with around 60 local professionals, entrepreneurs and businesspeople, in the superb refurbished Conference Facility of Windlesham Golf Club.

All profits on the evening will be donated to local childrens cancer charity Christopher’s Smile.

“Our vision is for every child diagnosed with childhood cancer to not only survive, but to reach adulthood enjoying a good quality of life”.

How you will benefit

• Connect with like-minded business people in a relaxed ambient atmosphere

• Discover potential new business alliances

• Source the best local suppliers

• Raise the public profile of your business

• Display your company literature on the Promotion Table

• Enjoy a complimentary glass of red or white wine, soft drinks, light snacks & delicious canapés

• Fully licensed bar

• Have a fun evening!

Cost

Business Members of the bestof – £10 + vat

Non-members & Guests – £15 + Vat

Non members can benefit by using the Earlybird Promo Code CAMCS to save £3.00 + Vat on the Guest rate

Pre-book

http://www.eventelephant.com/networkeveningwithbestofcamberley

Parking

There is plenty of free parking at the venue.

Directions

Windlesham Golf Club
Grove End
Bagshot
Surrey.
GU19 5HY

Paul Brinklow can provide home tutoring for mathematics, statistics, electronics, control and quality engineering to A level, HND or BSc degree level.

Or perhaps you would just like to know more about ‘electricity in the home’ or ‘home computing’. Paul is happy to plan individual tutoring tailored to your own needs and wishes.

All subjects will be delivered by an experienced and professional Qualified Teacher of Learning and Skills (QTLS), CertEd, MA Education, Fellow of the Institute for Learning (FIfL).

All engineering and quality sessions will be delivered by a fully qualified Chartered Electronics and Radio Engineer and Chartered Quality Professional (MSc, CEng, CQP)

Tutoring agreements will include the learning objectives, formative feedback and improvement arrangements, syllabus issuing body and issue date, session hours and days (with some flexibility) and payment plan.

Two to three hours one-to-one tutoring can be as effective as a full day in a classroom group.

Additional sessions can be arranged nearer examination time if required.

Camberley based, easy access in smoke and pet free home. If you prefer that the tutor visits then there would be a small travel charge depending on distance.

Enhanced Criminal Record Certificate available for viewing.
(More information on this may be found at www.crb.gov.uk)

For more information, you can email Paul at: p.brinklow@ntlworld.com

Most of us know that ISAs are an excellent and tax efficient way of accumulating wealth.

During retirement, ISAs are also very useful for providing a tax efficient income to supplement your pension income. Approaching retirement, growth funds can be switched to income yielding funds, which could also be lower risk funds. Your accumulated ISA investments can therefore be used to provide an income, entirely free of income tax!

From 6th April 2010, the ISA allowance is £10200 for everyone.

With the new annual allowance of £10200 (That’s £20400 for a couple), there is now an excellent opportunity to accumulate significant ISA assets to improve your wealth in later life.

For more information on this and other tax efficient investments, please contact Barry Sears at Professional Wealthcare.

Please note:

This article is intended for guidance only and is not advice.

Remember, it is important that you seek a personal recommendation before choosing a plan that is suitable for your needs.

Investment returns may go down as well as up.

The following is the story of Howard Tighe, who had a stroke in 2004.  Howard had a protection plan with Bright Grey, who have provided this video.

Please click here

Many people I speak to do not have an up to date Will and therefore need to speak to someone they can trust to help them with this essential aspect of family and financial planning.

The person I would recommend is Shirah Real of Brooks & Partners Solicitors, based in Frimley.

Shirah specialises in handling all areas of Private Client work. She can assist in the preparation of Wills, Living Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney, as well as Probate and Court of Protection work.

She is also a qualified specialist Trust and Estate practitioner registered with the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

To contact Shirah, you can call her on 01276 681217.

Alternatively, if you would like more information, please follow the link to the Brooks & Partners website.