Funerals

When I’m 64 ……. (or maybe 67 or 68)

Siobhan Record Our Lifestyle’s Financial Expert

The State pension is rubbish, right? - It’s not even £200* a week – who can live on that?

Whilst we might feel that the state pension is inadequate, we should bear in mind that it is a guaranteed income, underwritten by the UK government, index-linked (with a minimum increase annually of 2.5%), and paid for the rest of our life.

If I was to tell you that, if you were to buy a full Basic State Pension on the open market at today’s rates, it would cost you something like £360,000**, would that change your mind about its worth?

That would make it more valuable than many people’s houses!

Ideally, the state pension should compliment the provision we make ourselves. I wonder if this is the reason that many of us undervalue the worth of the state pension. Do we undervalue it because we are actually concerned around the provision we have made ourselves?

If you want to understand more about your retirement, you are interested in knowing more about how I work and have investments or pension funds of over £100,000, why not give Jo a ring on 01562 745730 to arrange a no obligation 30-minute free meeting in our offices or by Zoom

*The Basic State Pension for 2020/21 is actually £175.20 per week for someone with a full National Insurance record

**Source Assureweb: based on annuity rate for non-smoker in good health aged 66

The information in this article does not constitute investment advice; you must not rely on the content when making investment decisions without taking advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. The value investments and the income from them, may fall or rise and investors may get back less than they invested.

Our Finance & Legal

Accountants for Small Business

TaxAssist have over 280 locations across the UK and we are happy to meet you face-toface, visiting clients out of hours, at home or business premises.

Attend a meeting with your local TaxAssist Accountant who will determine exactly how we can help you and your business. Your accountant will then supply you with a quote to cover all the work required: an agreed fixed price with no hidden charges and option to pay monthly.

Customer Satisfaction - Business standards in place ensure agreed services are delivered as promised.

Melvyn Shephard is an experienced accountant who offers clients a professional yet friendly and jargon-free personal service. Clients can benefit from the core accountancy and tax advisory services as well as specialist services when needed. Melvyn also holds an MBA enabling him to provide financial advice whilst understanding the wider needs of businesses to be profitable and competitive.

Offices in Stourbridge and Stourport on Severn.

ACCOUNTANTS FOR SMALL BUSINESS We specialise in supporting small businesses and can help with: ● Self Assessment Tax Returns ● Business Accounts ● Corporation Tax ● Bookkeeping and VAT ● Business Start-ups ● Payroll and RTI ● Help with CIS ● Fixed Fees agreed in advance ...and much more At TaxAssist Accountants we specialise in supporting small business. We can help with: • Self Assessment Tax Returns • Business Accounts • Corporation Tax • Bookkeeping and VAT • Payroll and HR ...... and much more.

www.taxassist.co.uk/wolverhampton 01902 755557 For your FREE, no obligation initial consultation contact your local office:

Stourbridge

Unit 3, Winwood Court, Norton, Stourbridge, DY8 2AE 01384 371111

Stourport

Anglo House, Worcester Rd, Stourport-On-Seven, DY13 9AW 01299 519160

Our Finance & Legal

Talbots Law strengthens Trusts and Estates team after 20% growth in 2020

One of the West Midlands leading law firms is looking to capitalise on significant growth in its Wills, Trusts and Estates business by making a number of key appointments and promotions.

Talbots Law, which saw enquiries increase by 20% during one of the most challenging years on record, has appointed Jodi Flint as Director and Head of Trusts and Estates, leading a 21-strong team across the firm’s offices in Codsall, Dudley, Halesowen, Kidderminster, Stourbridge and Wolverhampton.

A member of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) and the Law Society Private Client Section, she has used her expertise in wills and tax planning, administration of estates and preparing Lasting Powers of Attorney to help boost fees.

Her expertise, commitment and innovative style have been key in guiding the team and providing a seamless continuation of service to clients during the pandemic.

“We have innovated the way we work to help us weather the Covid-19 storm well, ensuring we continue to support an increasing number of clients with their Trusts and Estates requirements,” explained Jodi.

“My initial challenge is to support and settle in new appointments to our team, build on an increase in private client work and explore ways in which we can expand our court of protection work.”

She continued: “This is a big opportunity for us going forward, particularly with such a strong team and depth of expertise that already exists within Talbots. Our continued success also means that we are looking to grow and always welcome applications from talented and ambitious Trusts & Estates lawyers looking to join us.”

As part of the expansion plans, Holly Elphick and Richard Stone have also been promoted to Directors in the business, whilst one of the UK’s leading Panel Deputies has joined the firm.

Trish Venables takes up the position of Director in the Trusts & Estates team and will look to use her significant experience as a member of the Office of the Public Guardian’s Panel Deputies to support the firm’s work in cases where there is no one suitable to be appointed to manage someone’s finances or where an Attorney or Lay Deputy has mismanaged a person’s funds. For further information, please visit www. talbotslaw.co.uk or follow @talbotslaw on twitter Jodi Flint