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Senior life: looking to the future The number of older people in the world is growing at an astonishing rate and is expected to reach over 2 billion by 2050.
S
By Age UK
ome of the biggest numbers of older people can be found in developing countries. Closer to home, recent statistics show there are now 11 million people aged 65 or over in the UK, and 3 million of those are aged 80 or over, so there is no denying that overall we are living longer and healthier lives, thanks mainly to the advances in medicine and healthier diets. But as we grow older we all face new challenges that can put up barriers to leading fulfilling, independent later lives. Age UK is here for all those who have reached later life, and also to help make things better for future generations. Whether it be illness, loneliness or poverty which affect people, those in later life still have the right to laugh, love and be needed. It’s important that they have the opportunity to stay independent and to continue doing the things they love. Long-standing stereotypes about older people are no longer really relevant as many older people enjoy later life feeling fitter, more active and more empowered than ever before. Retirement is no longer necessarily a barrier to enjoying the best of what life has to offer. These days, retirement is a new beginning and some older people are volunteering, joining social groups, mentoring, fundraising, home visiting and making a huge difference at all levels in their communities, while others are opting to
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continue working longer. For some, however, life is not quite so rosy and some of the challenges to ageing will be explored further in this supplement. Although fewer older people suffer from poverty than in the past, financial issues remain a huge problem for a significant minority. That people have enough money from state and private resources to live comfortably and participate fully in society in later life is essential. It’s also important that older people can access high quality health and social care. There are 1.2 million people in England aged 65 and over who are providing unpaid care to a disabled, seriously ill or older relative or friend. Many of them struggle to cope with the demands of juggling the needs of the loved ones they care for with their own needs. The social care system is massively underfunded due to year on year cuts to budgets, leaving hundreds of thousands of older people who need support to struggle on alone. The lucky ones have sufficient funds to buy in some support, or can rely on the goodwill of family, neighbours and friends. But many are effectively abandoned, making it more likely that they will end up in A & E because of a health crisis. Dementia is an increasingly important health problem affecting later life. It is estimated that the number of people living with dementia will reach one million by 2020, and so there’s an urgent and growing
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need to support those who have the condition and their families. Currently around 686,000 people in England are estimated to have dementia but the help available in the community and at home is not remotely keeping pace. Recent studies have found 61 per cent of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and other forms of the condition say they feel depressed or anxious, largely because of a lack of support. In addition only 58 per cent say they are living well after receiving a diagnosis. Surveys show that dementia is the illness most feared by people over the age of 55, who are understandably concerned about losing their memory and identity, so we need to improve the position of people with dementia in our society, and fast. Every older person should be able to live safely and with dignity in good quality, warm housing that meets their individual needs, free from exploitation or abuse. Where people live goes a long way to determining how healthy, independent and active they can be. Too many older people are living in poor-quality, cold homes which are hazardous to their health and are struggling to adapt their homes because of the hassle and cost. Shockingly, we are becoming increasingly aware that many older people are being targeted by scammers, with a huge impact on their health and finances. Older people are at special risk of certain
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types of fraud, such as doorstep scams; bank and card account takeover; pension liberation scams; investment fraud and postal scams. Older people are targeted because it is assumed they have more money in savings, they often live alone and because they are sometimes seen as being gullible – which the rest of us might consider to mean they are friendly and kind. A recent Guardian columnist spoke reverentially of our new older generation: “We have an ageing population of radicals redefining what is possible as we grow older. They are passionate, worldly people who are as politically fiery as ever - the anti-nuclear activists, the equality and justice protesters, the union members, the travellers, the first generation to kick back against the unspoken requirement to marry and put up and shut up. They are good at making friends and interested in the world. None of that changes just because they’re older.” And with that in mind, it’s now more possible than ever to reconfigure what it really means to be an older person in 2015. By tackling the challenges mentioned above, we have the ability to change life for older people for the better. We need to campaign and influence policy makers so that getting older doesn’t need to be something to be fearful of. In fact it could be something to get excited about and celebrate. Let us embrace senior living.
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2 OUT OF 3
6 OUT OF 10
dogs trained by Guide Dogs are made possible by gifts in wills
new lifeboats launched by RNLI are made possible by gifts in wills
74%
of the UK population support a charity during their lifetime, however, only 7.3 per cent of the UK population went on to leave a charitable gift in their will when they died
£2.16
The good news is, when surveyed,
17%
billion a year
of the UK population claimed they have included a charitable gift in their will. This is the highest level to date.
Of gifts to charities in wills. This is the equivalent of nearly 20 Red Nose Days
£ Many charities were founded by a legacy and many could not continue to exist without this vital source of income
One third of Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work is funded by gifts in Wills
SOURCE: REMEMBER A CHARITY
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alzheimers.org.uk/legacies
REMEMBER A
Will you leave a gift that’s full of life? Guide dog Pippa is there for her owner Lynette all day, every day. She’s given her the confidence to start enjoying her whole life again without relying on others. Please leave a gift in your Will to Guide Dogs and help people with sight loss live every day to the full.
For a free information pack and DVD, visit guidedogs.org.uk/life or call 0845 37 27 371
A charity registered in England and Wales (209617) and Scotland (SC038979). 8148 06/15
A15G18001
CHARITY INFOGRAPHICS
Will your legacy make a lasting difference? Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia charity. We believe passionately that life doesn’t end when dementia begins. Once you are sure your loved ones are looked after, a gift in your Will to Alzheimer’s Society will make a lasting difference to people affected by dementia.
To find out more or to order our free guide to gifts in Wills please call 0870 011 0290 to speak to your local legacy officer, email legacies@alzheimers.org.uk or visit alzheimers.org.uk/legacies Registered charity no. 296645. A company limited by guarantee and registered in England no. 2115499. Alzheimer’s Society operates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
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INSPIRATION
JARGON BUSTER Administrator: has similar duties to an executor, acting for estates where there’s nowill or executor, or the named executor is unable orunwilling to act. Beneficiary A person ororganisation to whom you leave a gift. Bequest : A gift in your will to a person or organisation. There are different types of gifts: pecuniary bequest; residuary bequest; specific bequest. See below for further details. Codicil: A document that amends your will. Conditional legacy: A legacy that is conditional upon a particular event happening (for instance, “to my son if he should become a doctor”). Demonstrative legacy: Pecuniary legacy payable
out of a specific fund.
Estate: Deceased’s possessions, property and money. Debts and gifts are paid out of the estate. Executor: Person(s) appointed by you to ensure that the wishes in your will are carried out. Guardian: Named person(s) in your will who is responsible for your children until they become 18 in the event they are orphaned. Grant of probate: A document issued by the
court confirming both the validity of a will and the executor’s right to administer the estate. Inheritance tax (IHT): Amount paid when you die
on the proportion of your estate over the tax threshold (which varies every tax year). Gifts to charity are free of IHT. Visit hmrc.gov.uk/cto/iht.htm to find the current inheritance tax rates
Intestate: Person who dies with no will. Certain relatives can apply for your estate. If youhave none, your money will go to the Crown. Issue: Your children, their children and so on down
the family tree.
Joint property: Under joint tenancy the property
passes to the survivor(s) following a death.
Legacy: Gift to a person or organisation. Letters of administration: Issued instead of a grant
of probate by a court to an administrator.
Life interest: Granting a right, often under a trust, to someone which lasts only for the lifetime of the person who benefits by it. Mirror will: One containing almost identical terms to
yours. Usually used by spouses or partners where the beneficiaries are largely the same.
Noncupative will: A will made orally before
witnesses.
Pecuniary bequest: a fixed sum of money Probate: Official proof of a will’s validity. If the value
of the estate is more than £5,000, probate may have to be applied for by the executors, who can then administer the will and distribute the estate according to your wishes.
Residue: Remainder of your estate after other gifts are made and debts are cleared. Residuary bequest: a gift made from the residue. It can be a share (percentage) of the remainder, or all of the remainder Testator: The person who has made a will. Trust: A written arrangement whereby an appointed
trustee is given money or assets to hold and manage for the benefit of those defined in the deed or will that created the trust.
Trustee: Individuals or an organisation named in a trust deed to take responsibility for the trust assets and manage them Will: A list of instructions telling your executors what
to do with your estate when you die and, if relevant, appointing guardians for your children
SOURCE: REMEMBER A CHARITY
PHOTO: THINKSTOCK
Writing a will? Remeber a charity! Question: Are more people leaving gifts to charities in their wills? Answer: Numbers are increasing, although many of us don’t — yet it’s an easy and important thing to do. By Tony Greenway
T
he British can always be relied upon to put their hands in their pockets and support a charity — even in these austere times. Look at the generosity and enthusiasm for the last Red Nose Day, for example, which at the time of writing had raised over £78,000,000. Now the good news is that more people than ever are saying that they are leaving a charitable donation in their Wills, too. That’s not just important. It’s vital. Gifts left in wills are worth more than £2billion to UK charities. Rob Cope is director of Remember a Charity, a coalition of charities set up in 2000 to encourage legacy giving. “Our latest benchmark survey shows that 17 per cent of the public claim to have left a donation to a charity in their Wills, which is its highest level to date,” he says. “We also know that far fewer people, just 11 per cent , have never
thought about leaving a charitable gift in their wills. Both of those numbers are encouraging. The challenge now is to make the message even stronger and to say that if your neighbours, friends and family are leaving gifts in their wills, maybe you should consider it, too.” Remember a Charity highlights that just a four per cent change in behaviour would generate an additional £1billion for good causes in the UK every year. Support
Although making a will is one of the most important decisions we will ever take, many of us put off doing so: last year, figures from Remember a Charity showed that almost four in 10 over-50s admitted to not having made a will. Yet it is quick and easy to do; and leaving charitable gifts in wills is Inheritance tax free. All you need consider is which charity, or charities, you would most like to support.
“Our latest benchmark survey shows that 17 per cent of the public claim to have left a donation to a charity in their wills” - Rob Cope
Perhaps people who aren’t including a donation in their wills are worried that their families would lose out in some way if they did. But Cope points out that there is room to do both. “Your donation doesn’t have to be a large amount,” he says. “Charities are the backbone of our communities and the public has a special relationship with them. So think about a charity that might have helped you or your family, and what even a small gift could do. What an amazing way to say ’thank you’ after you have gone.” Donations are the lifeblood of charities; and some are suffering — and even folding — without financial support. “Imagine if those good causes weren’t there,” says Cope. “By leaving a charitable donation in your Will, you are ensuring that a charity can continue its work and benefit the next generation.” Read more at seniorlifenews.co.uk
Leave the lasting gift of friendship in your will “It’s not very nice when you feel lonely, you just go to bed, get up, go to bed, get up and that’s your life; it’s nothing really.” Joan, 89 For 50 years Contact the Elderly has been offering a lifeline of friendship to lonely people aged 75 and over through monthly tea parties. Leave a gift in your will and make a profound difference to the lives of the oldest and loneliest people. To find out more:
Call Debra Bollan on 0800 716 543 or visit www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk Contact the Elderly is a registered charity in England and Wales (1146149) and in Scotland (SC039377). Company Number (07869142) Registered office: 2 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0DH.
Sue Ryder provides incredible care for people with life-changing conditions We do whatever we can to be a safety net for our patients and their loved ones at the most difficult time of their lives. We need to raise £37.7m a year to keep services running. A gift in your will can help us transform the lives of people living with lifelimiting conditions.
Could you help us change lives? call: 0845 050 1953 email: giftinwill@sueryder.org visit: www.sueryder.org/giftinwill
Sue Ryder is a charity registered in England and Wales (1052076) and in Scotland (SC039578). Ref. No. 03167 © Sue Ryder. June 2015
The WRVS Benevolent Trust provides grants to help with making everyday life easier, or at times of crisis, for present or former WVS, WRVS or Royal Voluntary Service volunteers or staff. The Trust also gives Youth Bursary awards once a year to young RVS Volunteers (16-25 years old) who want to do something amazing to further their education or career prospects. Legacies are vital to our very survival, a fact that most of our supporters don’t realise. To raise some much needed awareness, we’ve joined forces with Remember A Charity to raise awareness of the importance of having a Will, leaving gifts to charities and promote legacy giving. Do you want to know more and help? Get in touch: enquiry@wrvsbt.org.uk or check our website for more information: www.wrvsbt.org.uk WRVS Benevolent Trust a registered charity in England and Wales no. 261931.
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The impact of pancreatic cancer: every day is a new challenge Martin is a positive and strong person with pancreatic cancer whose attitude towards his condition has kept him battling on for over two years, having been given just 3-5 months to live at his initial diagnosis.
By Natasha North, Pancreatic Cancer Action
M
artin is a successful property developer who lives with his wife in Guildford. He has spent his life working hard, securing a future for his wife and 41 year old son, managing private investment for his company. Martin was also the Chairman of Brentford Football Club, a position he was proud to have held for 20 years. Martin’s diagnosis came after suffering periods of unexplained indigestion, he was referred to a consultant who performed an endoscopy but was told there was nothing wrong. At the time Martin had no idea what these symptoms meant or what he was about to find out, he just knew that something wasn’t quite right. After his symptoms persisted and still with no answers he exaggerated having pain in his abdomen and was given a CT scan. On December 22nd 2012, Martin was finally provided with an answer: he had pancreatic cancer and was estimated to have 3-5 months to live. When visiting the oncologist for the first
time, Martin was adamant that he wasn’t going to give in to his prognosis, telling him he had at least another 5 years of life he wanted to live. Seeing his determination, Martin’s oncologist started him on a strong course of chemotherapy, believing that despite the cancer, Martin was fit and healthy enough to deal with this treatment. At the end of this course of treatment Martin describes his sense of
“Martin says he is now ticking along quite nicely, but what he finds to be most difficult is the lack of consistency in his energy levels.” achievement for getting through it despite the side effects, it worked very well and following a positive CT scan he was able to have four months of ‘normal’ life, and even the opportunity to go on holiday with his wife. In June/July 2013 Martin had a relapse in his symptoms and it was found that the growths had spread to his liver. Not about to give up, his oncologist prescribed a different
type of therapy that was already available in the US. Having investigated the clinical trial information for the particular treatment, Martin wasn’t convinced of the advantages, but looking back he realises how beneficial it really was. Over a period of a few months it was able to reduce the growths on his liver to such an extent that they were almost non-existent. Although Martin realises this is not a cure for his condition, he feels like the treatment has held him at a maintenance level and allows him to get on with his life. Martin says he is now ticking along quite nicely, but what he finds to be most difficult is the lack of consistency in his energy levels. He explains how he can have drastic loss of energy and then like a switch has been turned on, is up and running again. A keen tennis player, Martin describes being able to play four sets of tennis on one day, but on another only being able to play one; there are some days when he finds it hard to play at all. However he admits that he realises how incredibly lucky he is; his oncologist describing him as being in the “long tail” of the survival curve.
Looking to the future: learning to live with ‘Albert’ Martin has a hugely positive and resilient attitude towards his cancer and is an inspiration for others going through a similar experience. Martin describes how he and his family refer to the cancer growths as ‘Albert’ to help manage the taboo of the word ‘cancer’ and battle against the negativity that surrounds the condition. In the beginning he used to think about what the end would be like, but not anymore. He no longer feels like he is different from anyone else, he doesn’t worry about what is waiting just around the corner and he is determined to get on with life and live it as best he can. Still working on a part time basis, he finds this as a welcome escape to take him away from his condition, even for just a day or two a week. Martin’s advice to anyone about to go through a similar situation is to stop and think, “It doesn’t have to be as bad as you think”, you need to battle on and not let the cancer change or define who you are.
The 4% survival rate for pancreatic cancer has not changed in 40 years. We are committed to funding ground-breaking research, awareness campaigns and providing medical education to improve early diagnosis and ultimately save lives. A legacy to Pancreatic Cancer Action will have a real and lasting impact on the fight against pancreatic cancer. Call 0303 040 1770 or visit www.panact.org for more information. © 2015 Pancreatic Cancer Action. Registered Charity No. 1137689
Leaving a legacy today will save lives in the future
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Nick Hewer: Patron of Pancreatic Cancer Action Lord Sugar’s former advisor and current Countdown host Nick Hewer discusses his views on pancreatic cancer and how in your golden years to consider our own health carefully. ”I’m aware first hand, through the loss of a family member and a number of close friends, of the devastating impact of a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, and I know that so much more needs to be done to improve survival rates for patients”. “The key to change is getting more people diagnosed early in time for surgery, currently there is no test for pancreatic cancer. Surgery is the only chance for survival”.
PHOTO: PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION
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According to the National Cancer Database, 68.5 per cent of pancreatic cancers were diagnosed in those over age 65 years. This raises the importance of those in their senior years to take care of themselves, “People need to take control of their own health, if instinct says something is not right then follow it up with your Doctor. This could save your life.” To find out more seniorlifenews.com
A gift for the future Mencap values and supports people with a learning disability and their families and carers to help them achieve what they want in life. Each week, 200 children are born in the UK with a learning disability. Mencap provides high quality, flexible services in areas like education, leisure, employment, housing and personal support to ensure that we are there to support everyone that needs us throughout their lives. Learning disability will always exist. You can transform lives with a single gift to Mencap in your will. For a free information booklet, please contact the Gifts in Wills team at Mencap on:
020 7696 6915 legacies@mencap.org.uk www.mencap.org.uk/legacies Registered charity number 222377 (England and Wales); SC041079 (Scotland) 2015.173
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Leaving a legacy and writing a will
PHOTO: THINKSTOCK
What is probate and when is it required? By Carmen Cottingham SWW Trust Corporation
A Grant of Probate is an order from the High Court of Justice which provides the legal authority to the Executors or Administrators to distribute the estate of a deceased person.
Generally, Probate (Letters of Administration) is required when the deceased held more than £5,000, held property solely or as tenants in common, owned stocks and shares and held certain insurance policies. A Grant of Probate will also be required where the deceased benefited from a trust during their lifetime. A Grant of Probate is not always required for example, if the deceased’s assets were held jointly with someone else. In these circumstances the assets will pass over to the other party under the term ‘survivorship’. The probate process can be an onerous one especially for close friends or family members who are appointed as the Executors. Their duties include the preservation of assets in the estate, payment of all of the estates liabilities, maintenance and often sale of the property and finally distribution of the estate according to the terms of the Will or the Intestacy Rules.
Generally we do not want to think about our mortality and making a will. If you haven’t got a Will yet then you make up part of the 67 per cent of the UK adult population without one By Thomas Stansfield, Society of Will Writers
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ften the hardest decision to make when considering writing a Will is finding a professional who has the necessary knowledge, expertise and who you can trust to carry out the work for you. The Society of Will Writers was established in 1994 to offer an independent regulatory framework for Will Writers and Estate Planning Professionals. The SWW’s ranks now number 1800 members and it is estimated that our members write in excess of 200,000 wills a year. Our role as a self-regulatory organisation means that the consumer can have confidence in using one of our members, the same way they would a solicitor. SWW members adhere to a strict code of practice, train on an annual basis, and hold professional indemnity insurance as mandatory requirements. Once you’ve made steps towards using a regulated professional you need to decide how you would like to distribute your estate. Remember that your Will must be a paper document with a ‘wet’ signature. It must be witnessed and signed properly to be a valid document. Thorough and careful thought should
be given to the distribution of your estate. With evermore complex family situations it is important to have a clear idea about how you would like to distribute your personal effects. It is not always as simple as leaving a gift to a relative. There may be squabbles after you have passed and your Will should be clear as possible to avoid any ambiguity.
“With evermore complex family situations it is important to have a clear idea about how you would like to distribute your personal effects” A professional will help you set this out in paper. If you work with a professional to have your Will drafted they will make the process as simple as possible and it is their job to help you plan for the future. Will Writers or Estate Planning Consultants are experts when it comes to succession law. This is a field in which they are specifically trained and continue to update their technical knowledge. They will help you with
all the possible factors you may need to think about when considering the distribution of your estate. This will include the appointment of guardians, executors and trustees. They will advise you on how to effectively provide for your family and they will give advice on how to mitigate your tax liability. A Will writer can help you set up a trust fund to provide for your children, grandchildren, make provision for your pets, or to leave money to a charity or good cause. As a lay person (someone who is not adept in Will writing) you are not expected to understand the changes in legislation and the effects that they can have on your estate. In the last year alone we have seen changes to the laws of intestacy, which define where your estate will pass if you were to die without a Will or if a gift failed because of an invalid clause in your Will. There have also been changes to the rules governing the provision of care for the elderly or vulnerable as introduced by the Care Act. Additionally, 17th of August brings about the introduction to a European regulation (Brussels IV) governing cross-border succession. This will have an impact on those that have holiday homes or property in other European jurisdictions.
Let us tell your story Ever since 1753 the British Museum has told the story of human cultural achievement, from the dawn of human history over two million years ago to the present. By leaving a donation in your Will you can help us to continue telling that story to future generations. As a charity we rely on the generosity of people like you. For more information, please call 020 7323 8421 or email legacymanager@britishmuseum.org
This enamelled gold locket is called the ‘Lyte Jewel’. It was bequeathed to the British Museum by Baron Ferdinand Rothschild in 1898 as part of the Waddesdon Bequest. Set with diamonds, it contains a miniature portrait of James VI (of Scotland) and I (of England) by Nicholas Hilliard. Made in London, 1610–1611.
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One man’s legacy has been keeping children safe for over 145 years. Yours can do the same. Will you help?
leave a gift...
and be remembered.
When Thomas Bowman Stephenson arrived in London in 1869 he couldn’t believe how many homeless children there were. He set up the National Children’s Home to reach out and support children across the UK. Today we are Action for Children and we work relentlessly to fix problems early and give every child and young person the love, support and opportunity they need to unlock their potential. Thanks to the generous support of amazing people just like you, who leave a gift to Action for Children in their Will, we make children’s lives better – now, tomorrow and every day.
For more information about remembering Action for Children in your Will:
actionforchildren.org.uk/legacies legacies@actionforchildren.org.uk 0300 123 2112 actionforchildrenUK actionforchildren actnforchildren actnforchildren
actionforchildren
actionforchildrenUK
Registered charity nos. 1097940/SC038092. Company no. 4764232. 14/15 0353
The difference your legacy will make Despite Rethink Mental Illness’ amazing work, there are still over 1.5 million people affected by mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar and personality disorder in this country. By agreeing to leave a gift to Rethink Mental Illness in your will you can help give us the guaranteed funds we need to pay for crucial services today and tomorrow.
It means that any gift, no matter how large or small, will help to provide essential care and support for people affected by mental illness now and for generations to come.
Call us now on 020 7840 3032 or visit www.rethink.org/legacy Reg. Charity No. 271028
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About Tracy Foster
T
racy Foster began gardening when she was just seven years old – claiming a little section of her parents’ garden. Since then she has turned her childhood love into a highly successful and fulfilling career – creating some beautiful, memorable and purposeful gardens. She holds a degree in plant biology from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and a diploma in garden design from the Institute of Garden Design. She is also a registered member of the Society of Garden Designers and still finds time to give talks, run courses and workshops in garden design as well as acting as a mentor for the Society of Garden Designers. During her career she has won numerous awards for her garden designs including a Gold Medal and People’s Choice Award for Best Small Garden at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in 2014 and the Chelsea Gold Medal and People’s Choice Medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. And if this does not keep her busy enough, Tracy also writes articles, has made TV appearances and spoken as a garden expert on local radio. She lives in Leeds, West Yorkshire and is part of a wonderful community gardening group in which both retired and working volunteers bring a wealth of creativity and practical skills to encourage others to enjoy gardening.
A garden for every retiree
Award-winning garden designer Tracy Foster and retirement specialist Just Retirement Ltd team up to provide their top five tips for gardening this summer.
T
his summer, awardwinning garden designer Tracy Foster and Just Retirement Limited, a leading specialist in retirement products and services, will unveil a show garden at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (30 June-5 July) that celebrates the joys of retirement. A Garden for Every Retiree will depict the everyday garden of an active, creative retiree, demonstrating just how enjoyable retirement, and gardening, can be. Here, RHS Gold medal-winning Foster, and retirement specialists Just Retirement, share their top tips for creating a garden which reflects the differing needs of retirees in the UK today. Foster explains: “Retirement can provide the time to develop a garden rich in sensory elements which evoke powerful and pleasurable memories and experiences. As we age, some of our senses can become less sharp, but with thoughtful planting and landscaping, a garden is the perfect place to stimulate them.”
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Sight: For those with poor eyesight, flowers, fencing and furniture in the colours of blue, white and yellow can work best, while berries, bark and foliage add natural colour throughout the seasons, and the use of evergreens provide all-year-round structure to your space. PHOTO: RHS/ BETHANY CLARKE
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Sound: Encouraging nature into your garden will provide a natural chorus of sounds to neutralise urban noise if you are spending more time at home. Placing seating near to water features provides a backdrop of relaxing tones, and crunchy gravel or crushed shell mulch provide audible texture underfoot.
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It takes three weeks
Smell: Scent has a strong association with memory so be sure to include scented plants around your garden. Scented climbers like jasmine and honeysuckle, or roses around arches and doorways provide scent at head height. If you struggle with your mobility, then raised beds are a good option while seated as you can work on them while seated, allowing scented flowers to bring their perfumes closer to you. Touch: Lamb’s ear is woolly and soft to touch – great if you have young grandchildren exploring your garden. And surfaces such as smooth pebbles warmed by the sun, cool granite copings, carved wood or polished metal can all bring interesting textures into the garden too.
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Taste: Growing herbs is an easy undertaking for a gardener of any experience. They don’t require as much space as a vegetable patch but add plenty of flavour to your meals. If you have more time on your hands and are looking to start a ‘grow your own’ section then why not start with oregano, sage, fennel, thyme, chives and rosemary.
PHOTO: TRACY FOSTER
It will be the lifeboat that launches to answer a call for help, the training that helps our volunteer crews reach a vessel in distress and the rope that pulls someone out of the water to safety. It will save lives at sea.
If you would like to know more about helping the RNLI’s courageous crews with a gift in your Will, please contact the Gifts in Wills Team on 0300 300 0124 The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Registered charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland.
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Keeping your garden accessible Retirement can also provide an opportunity to develop an accessible garden which can be enjoyed for many more years to come. l Think about new garden-related hobbies you might like to take up in your new leisure time, such as bee keeping, willow weaving or keeping chickens. Gardens can be easily adapted to incorporate space for new activities. l Adapted tools can save you a sore back or tired arms – do your research to find out which ones suit you best. l Growing your own vegetables can save you money, increase the amount of exercise you do and get more healthy food into your diet. l Gardening with the grandchildren can ignite an early passion for gardening and create treasured memories. l If you struggle to get outside all the time, think about placing some beautiful features near the back door so that you can see them all year round.
s to build a show garden & two weeks to build a small garden at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show
PHOTO: TRACY FOSTER
PHOTO: TRACY FOSTER
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Pensions reforms and planning The pension reforms mean that those approaching retirement now have greater flexibility over what they can do with their pension savings. It is even more important to consider how much money you will need to maintain the lifestyle you’d like for the full length of your retirement. You’ll also need to consider income, tax and inheritance By Money Advice Service
Dipping in and out – taking small cash sums You can leave your pension pot invested and take out lump sums when you need them. The first 25 per cent of any withdrawal is tax-free and the rest is taxable. Not all schemes provide this option and some providers allow you a maximum number of withdrawals each year. Because the investments in your existing pension pot are not designed to produce a regular retirement income and the value of these investments could fall it’s especially important to keep them under regular review to reduce the chances of running out of money.
• Flexible annuities offer flexibility over income payments, investment options and death benefits. It’s important you choose the type and features best suited to your personal circumstances, your life expectancy and your attitude to risk. Shop around! You can take up to 25 per cent of your pension pot as a tax-free lump sum and use the rest to buy an annuity.
A lifetime annuity provides you with a regular retirement income for life – with the guarantee that the money won’t run out before you die. There are different types of annuities available: • Basic life time annuities offer a range of income options to suit different personal circumstances and attitudes to risk.
Flexible income drawdown With a flexible income drawdown your money is placed in various investments and you can draw an income from this that suits you. This scheme can be with your own or another provider. Although you can choose how much income and what lump sums you take, the income is not guaranteed for life. If your investments fall in value you may have to adjust the amounts you take so you don’t run out of money later on.
• With investment- linked annuities, your income will vary depending on the performance of the funds your annuity invests in.
You can choose to take up to 25 per cent of your pension pot as a tax-free lump sum at the outset and you then pay your highest rate of tax on any withdrawals.
Buy an annuity
Leave your pension pot untouched If you already have enough income to live on, you may be able to delay using your pension pot beyond your selected retirement date, or your scheme’s normal retirement date. You can continue to get tax relief on pension savings of up to £40,000 each year (tax year 2015-16) until age 75 and your pot will continue to grow until you need it
Mix your options You don’t have to choose one option when deciding how to access your pension – you can mix and match as you like, and take cash and income at different times to suit your needs. Whichever option you choose, be sure to keep your funds under regular review so they continue to meet your longterm retirement income needs.
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