Latest Blogs
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Lisa Webster: Till pensions do us part
There have been some fluctuations in recent years but overall divorce rates in the UK have been in decline since the 1990s.
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Tilley: Let’s end the SIPP vs SSAS debate for good
As you might know from my previous columns on SIPPs Professional, I am, and have been for some time, a huge advocate for Small Self-Administered Schemes (SSAS).
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Lisa Webster: Pre-Budget withdrawals are spiking again
Ever since “tax-free cash” changed its official name to “pension commencement lump sum” back in 2006 there have been pre-Budget rumours that it was going to change – and not for the better.
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Tilley: Will Pensions Dashboards be a missed opportunity?
I can’t be alone in thinking that the recent House of Lords committee sessions on the Finance Bill and, in particular, discussion on bringing unused pension pots into scope for inheritance tax (IHT) made for interesting viewing.
Popular News
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Aberdeen launches new SIPP and Junior SIPP
Aberdeen has today launched a new and enhanced Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP), and free Junior SIPP.
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Trustees urged to take action to beat pension fraud
Pension trustees have been urged to take action to beat pension fraud, as analysis of Action Fraud reports has shown that savers over 55 are most at risk.
UK dividends jumped 51.2% to £25.7bn in the second quarter, beating expectations, according to a new report.
Investment platform AJ Bell has reported a 15% rise in advised customers year on year, and 4% over the third quarter, in its latest trading update.
Total platform customers grew 32% year on year, and 6% in the quarter, as direct to consumer customers rose 42% (8% in the quarter). The platform now has 353,299 customers, of which just over a third (122,757) are advised.
Total platform net inflows increased by 40% over the prior year to £2.1bn, with just over half (£1.1.bn) being advised (a 57% growth year on year in advised net inflows).
Platform assets under administration closed the quarter at £63.1bn, a 32% rise year on year and a 9% rise in the quarter.
Assets under management at the platforms investment management business, AJ Bell Investments, increased 186% year on year and 43% over the quarter to £2bn. Total net inflows in the quarter were £524 million, including a one-off inflow of £253m.
Andy Bell, CEO at AJ Bell, said: “In the advised market, third quarter platform inflows were up 57% compared to the prior year. The introduction of simplified pension options is proving particularly popular with advisers as it provides them with different price points and flexible investment options to cater for a diverse range of client needs.
“We also continue to see strong demand for our in-house investment solutions. There is growing awareness amongst financial advisers of the value and performance that our managed portfolio service is delivering to their clients and our multi-asset funds continue to prove popular with advisers and retail customers alike.
“As we head into the final quarter of our financial year, we remain focused on providing an excellent service to our customers and continuing to support our people as we navigate the current wave of the pandemic. Looking further ahead, the structural growth drivers for our sector remain strong and we are well placed to deliver further growth across our platform.”
A third (31%) of UK homeowners over 40 who are not yet retired plan to work beyond their State Pension age, according to a new report.
The Financial Conduct Authority has secured £25m more compensation for 4,500 investors in the failed Park First scheme which saw investments sold to a number of SIPP investors.
Funds under direction (FUD) for adviser platform Transact rose 7.2% over the quarter ending 30 June.
Acquisitive SIPP provider Curtis Banks has reported a 15% rise in its number of mid and full SIPPs to 55,000 following the acquisition of Talbot and Muir.