Pension Tracing Service swamped
People who think they could be missing out on thousands of pounds in pension savings have flocked to the phonelines to try and track down their lost money. Through a freedom of information request, it has come to light that The Pension Tracing Service received a total of 251,733 phone calls between July 2018 and August 2023. Figures suggest the average lost pension pot is worth £9,500.
If you’re losing sleep over your finances, you’re not the only one. According to research1, nearly half (45%) of UK adults are lying awake at night because they’re worrying about money.
UK economy rebounds in November
Official statistics show the economy returned to growth in November, although analysts believe it remains a close call as to whether or not the UK will once again manage to avoid a recession.
Paying a lump sum into a pension can be a particularly effective way to save for your future. If you have accumulated extra money from a windfall, work bonus or through saving, now could be the ideal time to power up your pension with a single contribution.
Who wants to be an (ISA) millionaire?
The number of ISA millionaires – i.e. people who have built up a tax-free pot of £1m or more by investing in stocks and shares ISAs – has almost quintupled since 2017, with the figure now standing at 2,7601. With the first ISAs introduced in 1999 aimed at encouraging more people to save, the data certainly suggests the objective is being satisfied for an increasing number, with the most recent data suggesting around 11.8 million adults were subscribed to an ISA in 2021/22, making £66.9bn deposits in that tax year.
2024 is set to be a promising year for landlords, with 32% of buy-to-let landlords intending to buy more property according to a survey1. Driven by a desire to build their portfolio, nearly half of those with purchasing plans this year already own at least 11 properties.
As we enter a new year, the global economy sits in a relatively precarious position, with the long-term consequences of the pandemic, as well as ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions all hindering growth prospects. While such times can appear daunting for investors, the key to successful investing actually remains the same: focus on long-term goals and mitigate potential risks by maintaining a well-diversified portfolio.
A new study1 analysing global dividend trends has highlighted that, in the third quarter of last year, 89% of companies chose to maintain their dividend levels or raise them. Despite this, it was noted that during the quarter, global dividends reduced by 0.9% (on a headline basis) to total $421.9bn.
The true value of financial advice clearly goes well beyond simply maximising the monetary value of a client’s portfolio. As we progress through life’s journey, the major events that confront us all certainly come with financial costs. However, they also generate an array of emotions and feelings, and the provision of advice has a critical role to perform in this area too.
Building a portfolio
Analysis1 suggests the value of advice can be broken down into four pillars: portfolio, financial, time and emotional. Firstly, by working with an adviser, clients are able to construct, and rebalance when necessary, a well-diversified, tailored portfolio of investments that match their risk tolerance and enable them to achieve their life goals.
Financial and time value
Financial value essentially revolves around planning for expected and unexpected events, with help provided in a range of areas, including saving and spending strategies, legacy and estate planning, and tax efficiency. Time is clearly one of our most valuable resources and, by securing the services of an adviser, clients are able to devote more time to the things they actually enjoy doing.
Peace of mind
The final pillar, emotional value, focuses on financial peace of mind. This aspect of advice is often highlighted in research studies, with one survey9 suggesting three times as many investors report having peace of mind because of their adviser. In essence, the advice process allows clients to feel at ease and promotes confidence in the outlook for their financial future.
1Vanguard, 2022 and 2023
The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. The past is not a guide to future performance and past performance may not necessarily be repeated.
Falling mortgage rates bolster housing market
Hope seems to be on the horizon for the housing market as the year gets off to a promising start.
The decision from many mortgage lenders to reduce rates seems to have had the desired effect, as buyer interest has noticeably increased. Lenders are competing to offer the best deals.
At the end of the first week of January, according to Zoopla, there were 10% more prospective buyers than in 2023. TwentyCI has reported that agreed property sales reached a nine-month-high in December, with many commentators now hopeful that this signifies a market that is slowly but surely getting back on track.
Oxford Economics expects the first cut to Bank Rate will come in May, thus relieving some of the pressure that many borrowers are under. This could further increase the demand for housing which, at the end of December, Zoopla has said was 19% higher than the previous year. Higher levels of demand are likely to have a knock-on effect on house prices, which could continue to stop falling if sellers no longer need to discount their property to make a sale.
Most sought after areas
Prospective home buyers seem to be committed to returning to the capital, as London is the most-searched-for location for the second year in a row, according to Rightmove.
During the pandemic in 2021, there were months where Cornwall overtook London as the most searched-for area. However, the southwestern county has been firmly in second place for the last two years, indicating the mass exodus from cities has subsided. In fact, from 2022 to 2023, there was an 18% fall in the number of people looking to buy properties in Cornwall.
London is also the most popular location for renters according to Rightmove’s report, with Manchester and Bristol below it in the top three.
Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s Property Expert, observed that, “Many traditionally popular areas maintained their allure amongst buyers, whilst cheaper areas were also high on the list for buyers last year with affordability stretched.”
UK landlords owed late rent
The cost-of-living crisis is taking its toll on the private rented sector as tenants struggle to pay their rent on time.
According to research from mortgage lender Molo, landlords in the UK are owed an average of £725 in overdue rent. Those in Yorkshire and the North East are particularly affected, experiencing the highest number of late payments each year. Meanwhile, landlords in Greater London are owed the most amount of money.
VP of Strategy at Molo, Mark Michaelides, commented, “Our recent research found that over half (54%) of landlords have implemented payment plans for tenants facing late rent. He added, “As a tenant, it’s important not to ignore the problem. I’d advise tenants to communicate promptly, explaining reasons for delays and requesting additional time. Open dialogue can lead to collaborative solutions.”
All details are correct at the time of writing (17/01/24)
It is important to take professional advice before making any decision relating to your personal finances. Information within this document is based on our current understanding and can be subject to change without notice and the accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed. It does not provide individual tailored investment advice and is for guidance only. Some rules may vary in different parts of the UK. We cannot assume legal liability for any errors or omissions it might contain. Levels and bases of, and reliefs from, taxation are those currently applying or proposed and are subject to change; their value depends on the individual circumstances of the investor. No part of this document may be reproduced in any manner without prior permission.
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