What can you do with ‘frozen’ pension schemes?

If you can remember when Norman Tebbit used the expression ‘Get on Your Bike’ then you must have been working for quite a number of years.  In this case you will probably have changed jobs a number of times.  On each occasion you may have left behind not only friends and work colleagues but also you entitlement to the pension benefits you had been accruing.  Your pension history may have a mish mash of different eras of pension legislation, pension providers and address of Trustees.  Do you always remember to let these people know when you move house?  Do you know if the address of these Trustees, or your ex-employer, has changed over the years?  At the end of the day are you going to wait till 6 weeks before retirement to find out that the company went bust years ago and didn’t have your address to contact you?

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The effect of inflation on savings accounts.

The economic climate has turned decidedly chilly and whilst summer temperatures haven’t soared, inflation has.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that inflation jumped in July to 5% RPI and the CPI (consumer price index) has grown to 4.4% - more than double the Government’s 2% target. With the Bank of England predicting that CPI could rise to 5% by the end of the year, the outlook looks gloomy.

Driven by the prices of energy, commodities and food, inflation poses a very real threat of eroding the savings of millions of Britons. In real terms, inflation doesn’t only erode returns but also the the value of the original investment. Higher rate taxpayers currently need a return of 7.33% merely to keep pace with RPI and even for basic rate taxpayers, the return required is 5.5%.

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Complimentary Credit Crunch Consultations

The credit crunch has got many people worried about the performance of their investments, pensions and the adequacy of their protection policies should the worst happen.

Jones Sheridan understand that most people don’t know whether to believe the hype or if it is better to play it safe and keep their money in the bank. That is why we are inviting anyone interested in talking to an independent financial adviser the opportunity to come along to our new offices in Datum House, Electra Way, Crewe. Ollie Bridgman (inset) will be running an open house on Wednesday evenings throughout October and November where he will be offering free consultations and guidance.

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New Face Old Head

Rob Jackson has joined the team at Jones Sheridan. He is one of seven independent financial consultants and his focus will be on retirement planning, investments, inheritance tax planning, equity release and home reversion schemes.

Rob (pictured left), originally from Crewe, comes to Jones Sheridan with a great deal of experience. He joined Midland Bank after leaving school and has also worked for Prudential & The Halifax. Rob holds the advanced Financial Planning Certificate and is an associate of the Institute of Financial Planning.  He became an IFA in 1998 and is working towards CHARTERED STATUS which he hopes to attain in the next 2 years.

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Credit Crunch

Further to recent market events, we at Jones Sheridan believe it is important to help you understand what is happening in the financial markets and the impact this has had on your investments.

This brief document will aim to examine what has happened so far and the forecast ahead.We hope this will give you a greater insight to recent events and feel happier in the knowledge your investments are being looked after by the team here at Jones Sheridan.

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