The younger generation are facing new and difficult financial challenges as they grow up in the modern world. These include university and tuition fees, finding a deposit on a first house, and the realities of having to work longer and make provisions for an income in retirement.

In 2011 Junior ISAs replaced Child Trust Funds (CTF). Children born between 2002 and 2011 will have had a CTF. You can transfer a CTF into a Junior ISA.

Our Junior ISA gives young people an introduction to the importance of saving. It provides a flexible and tax-efficient way to build a nest egg for younger family members which they won’t be able to touch until they turn 18.

A Junior ISA can be used for many things. It can help provide children with access to quality education, open up opportunities and enable them to get established when they make their first steps into the world as adults.

Starting to save money now could make all the difference in the long term.

Key Investor Information Documents

Before you choose to invest in a Unit Trust via an ISA, it’s important you read our Key Investor Information Documents and Supplementary Information Document.

The value of an ISA with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and the value may therefore fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you initially invested.

The favourable tax treatment given to Junior ISA is subject to changes in legislation and may not continue in the future.

A Unit Trust is a portfolio of financial assets which are managed by a professional fund manager. These assets may include stocks, property, and bonds.

Unit Trusts are a useful investment as they can accommodate the tax advantages extended by ISAs. They help provide the opportunity to benefit from a stock market investment without further liability to Income or Capital Gains Tax.

Unit Trusts are often seen as a crucial component of a Stocks and Shares ISA. They can offer a range of other benefits to investors. Unit Trusts provide the potential for capital growth and income for medium to long term.

When used as part of a focused tax-planning exercise, Unit Trusts can provide investors with the flexibility to use their annual Capital Gains Tax allowance.

Furthermore, when used in conjunction with a Trust*, they also offer an alternative solution for investments on behalf of children.

Key Investor Information Documents

Before you choose to invest in a Unit Trust via an ISA, it’s important you read our Key Investor Information Documents and Supplementary Information Document.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select which means that the value can go down as well as up. You may get back less than you initially invested.

The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time and are dependent on your individual circumstances.

* Trusts are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Long term investors looking for income, have been seeking alternative homes for their capital since the 2007 financial crisis.

The value of money held on deposit has been impacted by inflation and investing for income is now more important than ever.

We offer a range of income solutions, investing across a range of asset classes, helping us to provide a diversified, personally tailored portfolio.

• Fixed Interest – corporate bonds and gilts offer the potential for increased income at times when interest rates are low.
• Equities – while in the short-term equities can be volatile, history shows us that they have outperformed all other asset classes over the longer term, although that does not necessarily mean this will be repeated. They offer the potential for capital growth and rising income
• Commercial Property – while the commercial property market offers an opportunity to achieve capital growth over the longer term, the primary return for investors is rental income. By securing long leases with financially secure tenants, commercial property could potentially offer attractive and sustainable income levels.

Diversification and expert management remain the keys to long-term success in challenging markets. The St. James’s Place approach gives you access to investment expertise and the opportunity to invest across a range of different investment firms.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount initially invested.

Equities do not provide the security of capital associated with a deposit account with a bank or building society.

Past performance is not a guide to future performance.

The value of property is a matter of the valuer’s opinion and not fact.

Investment Bonds are long-term investment products which allow investors to spread risk and allow easy switching between funds as their needs change over time.

Many long-term investors are looking for a better return on their investments. They are also concerned that the income they receive will fail to keep pace with inflation.

The St. James’s Place Investment Bond is one solution. It offers a simple yet flexible solution to income needs, capital growth and tax planning by offering access to a wide range of asset classes.

Why choose a St. James’s Place Investment Bond?

• Access Investment management services and fund management expertise, distinctive in the UK
• Diversify investments and spread risk
• Access a flexible range of options to take a regular, tax-efficient income
• Freedom to switch funds easily as your needs change
• Manage and potentially reduce your personal liability to tax
• Minimal administration.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select, and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.

Equities do not provide the security of capital associated with a deposit account with a bank or building society.

The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time and are dependent on individual circumstances.

Please note that if the withdrawals taken exceed the growth of the Bond, the capital will be eroded.

We offer the most individually focused wealth management. Our discretionary and stockbroking services are for investors who have specific investment requirements or preferences, or who want to delegate control of their investments.

These services are provided by Rowan Dartington, who specialise in discretionary management and stockbroking. With our help, Rowan Dartington deliver bespoke investment solutions along with dedicated support. Rowan Dartington is wholly owned by the St. James’s Place Group.

With our discretionary service, a dedicated Investment Manager from Rowan Dartington will work with you to create a bespoke portfolio matched to your individual needs and will manage it for you on a discretionary basis. We will work with them to ensure that your discretionary portfolio works together with your other investments.

SJP’s discretionary portfolios provide you with access to a wide range of assets for investment, including direct equities, and are designed to meet your individual requirements.

• Your portfolio can be tailored to suit your specific investment requirements and personal preferences. This might include the Responsible Investing Bespoke Portfolio Service, which enables you to align your personal preferences in a way that aims to make a positive impact.
• The Capital Gains Tax service can help you with effective tax management.
• We can help you pass on wealth tax-efficiently with the AIM Inheritance Tax Portfolio Service.
• The overseas portfolio management service can help meet the particular planning needs of non-domiciled individuals who are resident in the UK.
• Specialist lending facilities can provide a loan secured against the assets in your portfolio.

Through our stockbroking services, advice is offered on individual investments, including direct equities, but you continue to manage your own portfolio. On the other hand, if you know exactly what you want to buy and sell, our stockbroking team can provide a straightforward dealing service.

Both our discretionary and stockbroking services enable you to bring across assets you may already hold with other providers, including cherished holdings. It gives you the convenience of having all your assets in one place, coupled with a more personalised and dedicated approach to looking after your portfolio.

The value of an investment with Rowan Dartington may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested.

Offshore investments are an attractive option when a parent has provided capital to a minor. They can also be a favoured choice for those who expect their marginal rate of tax to fall. Investors, entitled to an age-related allowance or expatriates investing while non-resident could also benefit from making offshore investments.

St. James’s Place offers a range of offshore solutions, designed for investors who would like to invest regularly, or as a one-off lump sum.

Why set up offshore investments?

• Maximise growth prospects
• Spread risk
• Enjoy access to a range of carefully selected and monitored Investment Managers
• Choose a regular and predictable ‘income’
• Switch between funds easily
• Reduce your personal liability to Income and Capital Gains Taxes

The information presented is based on existing legislation and HM Revenue & Customs practice. It does not amount to tax planning advice. Any potential investor who is unsure of their tax position is recommended to take advice before investing.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select, and the value could therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you initially invested.

Currency movements may also affect the value of investments.

The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time and are dependent on individual circumstances.

We recognise that choosing how to invest your money can seem daunting. To help you choose investments that are appropriate to you, St. James’s Place have created risk-related Growth and Income Portfolios from our range of funds designed to help investors achieve their financial objectives.

Growth Portfolios

Self-Invested Pension Plans (SIPPs) give you a much wider range of investment opportunities than those available through most traditional pension plans.

With a SIPP, you can invest in various assets and asset classes, including equities, Unit Trusts, gilts and commercial property.

Like all pensions, a SIPP is a tax-efficient way to save towards your retirement. What SIPPs also give you is more flexibility in your financial choices.

This flexibility means you can spread your risks, especially if your investments experience periods of volatility.

However, SIPPs do tend to have higher costs than standard pensions. It’s important that a SIPP is actively managed. This will help maximise the advantages of your investment choices.

Because of this, SIPPs won’t be suitable for everybody. Generally they should only be considered if you have plenty of experience actively managing your investments.

The investment growth within the fund is currently free from all UK Income Tax and Capital Gains Taxes.

The value of a SIPP can fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount initially invested.

The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time and are dependent on individual circumstances.

One of the most important steps you can take when you’re in employment is to start working out how you can comfortably retire.

Without good planning, there’s a chance you could outlive your savings.

As a nation, we’re healthier and living longer than at any point in history. In the future, it won’t be unusual to spend nearly as long in retirement as in employment.

Our retirement planning calculator is designed to provide an idea of the monthly savings you’ll need to fund the gap in your required income. It also maps out your expected income from any existing funds.

We have different plans to help provide for your retirement, no matter what stage you’re at right now. Flexibility is key, as your needs will change just as your earnings and career evolve. Which is why we offer a service that’s personal to you. Plan your retirement with us and we’ll put you in control, so that you can be confident about your future pension.

The value of a pension will be directly related to performance of the funds selected and can fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount initially invested.

Pension legislation and the way benefits are provided have changed so much recently. As an employer, it’s easy to feel you’re no longer in total control of this important employee benefit.

The introduction of Auto Enrolment has affected all employers, too, no matter their size.

As a director or business owner, it’s your obligation to understand this legislation, the process, how it works, the duties you must comply with and when to take action.

We can help with that.

We work closely with employers to make sure you understand:

• Your Auto Enrolment requirements and your compliance with legislation.
• The extra administrative burden placed on you by Auto-Enrolment. We can help to make it as painless as possible.
• How, when recruiting, your pension scheme will enhance the package you offer. This helps with the recruitment – and retention – of great employees.
• That you are in the best position for any future changes, either in legislation or specific to your company.

SJP has relationships with many carefully selected market-leading pension providers, so we can advise you on a range of pension products.

The value of a pension will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select, and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you initially invested.

Auto-Enrolment products are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Being self-employed means you can’t join a work pension scheme. However, as long as you’ve made enough National Insurance contributions, you will get the basic state pension and the Flat Rate State Pension.

So it’s essential to think about contributing to your own pension plan. This will go towards an income that gives you security in your retirement.

How much will you need?

Our retirement planning calculator is designed to give you an idea of how much you might need to save each month to fund the gap in your required income. It also maps out your expected income from any existing funds.

You’ll need expert advice that’s tailored specifically to you. It will form the cornerstone of your pension planning. Our Approach to Retirement Planning is founded on four key principles:

• Advice
• Service
• Flexibility
• Control

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you initially invested.

Trustees play a vital role in running a defined benefit scheme. It’s a complicated, time-consuming and often expensive process.

Essentially, trustees ensure that members’ scheme benefits are protected.
Maintaining services that are both comprehensive and good value is an ongoing challenge.

All of this can be daunting, so as a trustee, it’s important to know you have somewhere to turn for help. We understand your priorities and concerns.
There are various solutions available to help you.

Through Professional Trustee Solutions, you can find a bespoke strategy for cost-effective actuarial and administrative services, combined with St. James’s Place distinctive approach to investment management.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select, and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you initially invested.

Protection answers our fundamental desire to keep safe things that we hold dear.

Choosing which specific types of insurance should be a priority for you can be a tricky task.

Which of the following insurance covers would be top of your priority list?

• Stolen car
• Burglary
• Major illness, e.g. heart attack
• Stolen credit cards
• Fire at home
• Your family surviving without your income

Most people feel that all of the above insurance covers are important to them.

But how many of them do you currently have?

Providing protection cover in the various forms of life, critical illness and disability solutions is one of the fundamentals of our business.

Working with carefully selected providers, we offer an extensive product range including:

• Life Cover (including Term Assurance and Whole of Life)
• Critical Illness
• Income Protection
• Employee Benefits
• Private Medical Insurance

These are just a selection of the solutions available.

We would love to sit down with you and discuss your own personal circumstances, before tailoring a solution specifically for your needs.

A Trust is an agreement between an owner of assets and the trustees. The trustees legally own the Trust’s assets but are not allowed to benefit themselves – unless they are also beneficiaries.

The Trust is a legal entity that holds your assets before they are eventually released to your chosen beneficiaries. Essentially, assets held within the Trust are kept out of your estate for probate purposes.

These days, a Trust is a hugely important financial planning tool. Sometimes, you might want someone who is independent from the family to make those important financial decisions. It may also be beneficial depending on your domicile to ensure that the trust remains offshore.

Whether you appoint professional or lay trustees, the core duties remain the same: primarily, to administer the assets on behalf of all beneficiaries and carry out the terms of the trust. Sometimes, however, a Professional Trustee service can bring added benefits. Professional trustees not only owe a higher duty of care but are also able to act with more objectivity. They have the expertise, specialist knowledge and experience to identify potential problems, provide solutions and generally promote good governance. They ensure professional standards are adhered to and that administration requirements are met.

Jersey’s Genus Trust Company specialises in providing trustee services. Jersey has complete autonomy of its internal affairs, including taxation and other legal matters. This, coupled with its strong financial infrastructure, make it a leading centre for international finance.

The Genus Trust Company was established to forge lasting relationships, and to provide services and solutions. The trustees represent the interests of beneficiaries and make sure due regard is given to clients’ wishes and guidance.

Trusts are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. However, please be aware that Genus Trust Company Limited is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission.

The services provided by The Genus Trust Company are separate and distinct from those offered by St. James’s Place.

Together we can develop a plan that will provide confidence and help you meet your long-term financial needs. I’m then here to provide peace of mind through this process.

The average cost of UK residential care homes is around £34,944 a year (£44,000 in Scotland). If nursing care is also needed, the average cost rises to £48,724 a year.* The average stay is three years, so costs can quickly add up.

The  St. James’s Place Later Life Planning Scheme gives you peace of mind by helping you to plan for Inheritance Tax (IHT) and secure an income to help cover any long-term care costs.

These are some of the points we will look at: 

• How to make tax-efficient cash gifts to loved ones
• Your exposure to Inheritance Tax
• Arranging a pre-set income for life to help safeguard against the future
• Keeping control of your money
• The benefits of using Gifts and Trusts**

The value of an investment may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount initially invested.

If the income taken exceeds the growth on the Plan, the capital will be eroded.

The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time. The value of any tax relief depends on individual circumstances.

*Source: Laing and Buisson Care Homes for Older People Report, 32nd edition, 2022

**Trusts are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

If you live in England or Northern Ireland and your personal assets are more than £23,250 you now have to pay the cost of the long-term care you will receive. For Scotland, the upper capital limit is £28,750, and for Wales is £50,000.

Apart from the emotional cost, arranging care for yourself or a loved one is also extremely complicated. Dealing with issues like mental capacity, eligibility for state benefits, Lasting or Enduring Powers of Attorney*, the type and location of the care home and funding the care itself causes stress and worry.

The average cost of UK residential care homes is around £34,944 a year (£44,000 in Scotland). If nursing care is also needed, the average cost rises to £48,724 a year.* The average stay is three years, so costs can quickly add up.†

If you need care and have to fund the fees yourself, there are many things that you will need to consider. Not only will it be important that you receive care in a home you have chosen, but you will also need to consider whether you can afford to pay the fees for as long as is needed. You may also wish to protect your wealth so that some inheritance may be passed on to the next generation.

Paying for care can be an expensive and long-term commitment. There are pros and cons to the funding solutions available, so it is essential to seek financial advice from a specialist adviser as early as possible to find the right solution to suit your individual needs.

Whether you are concerned about saving for care home fees in the future, or facing the possibility of needing to pay these fees now, St. James’s Place can help you and your family with the options available.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested.

* Powers of Attorney involve the referral to a service which is separate and distinct to those offered by St. James’s Place and are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

†Source: Laing and Buisson Care Homes for Older People Report, 32nd edition, 2022

Without good advice and careful planning, HM Revenue and Customs could be the biggest single beneficiary when you die.

Inheritance Tax (IHT) has an increasingly broad reach. Its impact on a modest estate can be dramatic. On a large estate it can be huge.

There are various ways you make the best of Inheritance Tax:

• Have your Will written and planned correctly to save the maximum amount of tax*
• Transfer assets through prudent use of lifetime gifts
• Create a tax-efficient fund aiming to cover the amount of expected IHT.

Alongside four leading law firms, we can help with a range of services, including Inheritance Tax, marriage issues and general tax planning.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount initially invested.

The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time. The value of any tax relief depends on individual circumstances.

*Will writing involves referral to a service that is separate and distinct to those offered by us. Wills are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

When it comes to taking full advantage of Inheritance Tax exemptions, gifting can be a valuable option.

There are several approaches you can take. We can help you to understand which are available and which are best suited to your circumstances.

For example, are you aware that you have a £3,000 annual exemption for gifting? You can also use income to fund the contributions to a life policy held in Trust*, which can be exempt if you meet certain criteria.

Parents can give up to £5,000 upon a marriage or civil partnership. In certain circumstances a lifetime gift of capital, designed to maintain a dependant, might also be exempt.

More exemptions include gifts to charities, and donations to political parties or institutions that exist for public benefit, such as universities, national museums, and the National Trust.

The information on this website is based on our interpretation of current law and HMRC practice.

Taxation legislation and HMRC practice may be subject to unforeseen changes.

*Trusts are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Estate administration is the process of dealing with legal, financial and personal tax affairs after death.

It involves obtaining a grant of probate (confirmation in Scotland). But this is just one part of the process.

All assets need to be dealt with. These could be property, investments, personal possessions and liabilities, such as outstanding debts and estate expenses.

Other aspects could include:

• Notifying beneficiaries and dealing with their questions
• Redirecting post and cancelling or transferring utilities
• Dealing with any Income Tax liabilities
• Advising on the distribution of assets to avoid or mitigate tax liabilities
• Calculating and paying Inheritance Tax where relevant
• Dealing with specialist legal work.

You might want to administer an estate by yourself, but please be aware this could take a considerable amount of time and effort. It also leaves you liable for any mistakes you might make.

The issues you’ll face after the death of a loved one are rarely straightforward. That’s because they involve procedures most of us aren’t used to dealing with, and financial matters are often the last thing on our minds in this situation.

SJP have chosen Kings Court Trust as their preferred provider of estate administration. Kings Court Trust is one of the leading specialist estate administration service providers in the UK and, like us, they place their clients at the heart of everything they do.

The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time.  The value of any tax relief is dependent on individual circumstances.

The services provided by Kings Court Trust are separate and distinct from those offered by St. James’s Place.

If you are diagnosed with an illness such as cancer or suffer a heart attack, you and your family may find yourselves financially worse off.

This is because your expenses are likely to be the same, or even higher, but you may be unable to work or even decide you don’t want to work any longer.

Critical illness plans provide a lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a large number of specified illnesses. The cover can be for a specific time period or for your whole life.

Given that we are more likely to suffer a serious illness than to die before we retire, it is perhaps the most valuable element of all protection plans.

Should the worst happen to a key director or employee, there can be far-reaching or even disastrous consequences. It’s natural that your main concern will be for them, but at the same time you can’t afford to ignore the effect this could have on your business.

When something beyond your control happens in your business, negative impacts can include:

• Loss of profits
• Recall of loans
• Reduced capacity and productivity
• Loss of key clients/contacts
• Reduced practical know-how.

Wise planning and insurance are the best ways to mitigate for these kinds of events.

Having the right insurances in place and making sure they’re reviewed regularly and updated as your business evolves can be challenging. Most businesses find they need some degree of help to make sure everything is planned and organised correctly.

As part of our corporate service, we will undertake an in-depth review of your business. We will then work with you to put in place a tailored insurance programme to help protect your business from a wide range of risks.

As the owner of shares in your business, your focus is probably on working with your fellow shareholders to make the business successful.  The world is an uncertain place however, and should something untoward happen to you, would your beneficiaries share the same goals for the business?

Your fellow shareholders may have to work with partners who have little or no interest in the business and your beneficiaries could find themselves in the unfortunate position of owning shares which nobody is prepared to buy.

As always, effective planning is key to ensure situations like this don’t arise.

We will identify your requirements and discuss potential solutions that will provide your fellow shareholders with the means to purchase your shares and allow your beneficiaries to realise the market value of your shareholding.

This is known as share purchase assurance and represents one element of succession planning that deals with the purchase and sale of shares following the death of a shareholder.

It’s an arrangement that ensures that the surviving directors can receive the deceased’s shares in order to continue the business without involvement from external or inexperienced shareholders. Additionally, the deceased’s estate receives a cash sum for the value of those shares.

Deciding whether share purchase is actually required – including how it should be structured – is fundamental to the process. We will help you make that decision.

Clear and effective benefits and renumeration play a key role in recruiting and retaining top-quality team members.

Before making a recommendation, we spend time to understand your business and work out a cost-effective strategy that will fit with your plans.

You’ll have access to advice from a range of providers, carefully selected and monitored by us.

This includes advice on:

• Online statements – helping employees to understand and appreciate the cost of the benefits you provide.
• Flexible benefits – letting employees create a benefits package that meets their individual needs.
• Salary sacrifice arrangements – helping employees to access tax-efficient benefits while reducing National Insurance costs.
• Private medical insurance – for your employees’ health and wellbeing, reducing absence from work while waiting for treatment.

Group Life, Income Protection and Critical Illness

These are important benefits that are a key part of a comprehensive employee benefits package. They also mean you can manage your business more effectively by:

• Giving you the means to financially support your employees and their families at a particularly difficult time.
• Allowing you to recruit temporary employees.
• Providing access to a range of rehabilitation services, employee assistance programmes and absence management services.

The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time. The value of any tax relief depends on individual circumstances.

As a business owner, we understand how important it is for you to support the financial wellbeing of yourself and your family, your business and your employees.

We can help.

Some of the areas we can discuss:

• Group pension plans for colleagues and employees. These are an attractive recruitment tool as well as a justifiable business expense.
• Salary sacrifice arrangements that provide cost-effective pension planning opportunities for employees, while reducing employer National Insurance costs.
• Executive pension arrangements, enabling you and your family to reap the rewards from the success of your business.
• Cost-effective trustee-based arrangements that transfer scheme liability to a new pension arrangement, securing employee pension rights.

As you’ll know, some of the options are quite complex so we will take the time to understand your needs before recommending a solution that will enable you to benefit from the success of your business.

The value of a pension will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount initially invested.

The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time and are dependent on individual circumstances.

Many company owners put in a lifetime of hard work into building their business, only to throw away some of the rewards by failing to fully consider how they will exit – both financially and as a leader.

Sound management over several years will add value to your business and let you begin your exit relatively quickly when the time is right.

You’ll need to concentrate on the following key areas to ensure a smooth exit:

• Aim for a year-on-year increase in profits – reducing profits to cut Corporation Tax liabilities may make short-term sense, but it could harm your business’s perceived value.
• Ensure your accounts are in order and up to date, giving a true picture of the business. It pays to be ready for any due diligence that may be needed later.
• Look to expand your range of customers and suppliers – over-reliance on a few key customers will undermine your business’s value.
• Aim to tie key customers, suppliers, staff and managers to long-term contracts.
• Maximise your relief for Capital Gains Tax (CGT) – you might be able to claim entrepreneurs’ relief, which reduces the effective rate of CGT.
• Consider avoiding substantial holdings in property, shares or leaving money in the bank, which may disqualify you from this relief.

The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time and are dependent on individual circumstances.

Please note that advice on exit strategy planning might involve the referral to a service that is separate and distinct to those offered by us.

There are lots of circumstances and stages in life when it could be time to look for a suitable mortgage arrangement…and it can be a daunting process at any time.

You might be looking for your very first property having saved hard for your deposit – moving out of rented or shared accommodation, living with parents or it’s simply just the right time to take that leap of faith and enter the world of property ownership. Whatever the reason, we understand first time buyers need step by step help and support throughout the whole process.

You might be looking to move into a larger property to accommodate a growing family or be nearer a desirable school catchment area? Or you have had enough of tenement living, shared maintenance costs and now desire a house with a garden you can call your own…or following your dream of owning an idyllic country cottage?

It could be that your children have now flown the nest and your home is just too big so it’s time to downsize or perhaps an injury or ailment means you can no longer handle lots of stairs.

Not all applications are plain sailing – everyone’s circumstances, credit history and employment status are different and getting a mortgage isn’t as straight-forward as it once was.

Luckily, we have years of experience dedicated to helping our diverse client base find the right mortgage for their needs and circumstances.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

We offer a comprehensive range of first charge mortgages from across the market, which lenders make available to mortgage intermediaries, for which we will be paid a procuration fee by the lender.

If you are coming to the end of your fixed/variable preferential mortgage rate or have already reverted to your lenders standard variable rate then it’s the perfect time to review your mortgage.

You may be simply looking for a better deal or perhaps you want to borrow for home improvements, debt consolidation, school fees or even to pay for a family event like a wedding by releasing funds from your mortgage.

The good news is that most lenders offer a free valuation and re-mortgage legal work for you to switch to them, giving you more choice whilst saving you money.

We’ll save you time and work by searching the mortgage market to find the best solution based on your own personal circumstances.

Most of our clients have one of two priorities when they look to re-mortgage:

• Reducing their monthly mortgage payment to enjoy more disposable income each month
• Keeping their monthly mortgage payments the same but reducing their overall mortgage term, potentially saving thousands of pounds and paying off their mortgage debt earlier than planned.

We make it our business to find out your individual priority and ensure our advice reflects this.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

We offer a comprehensive range of first charge mortgages from across the market, which lenders make available to mortgage intermediaries, for which we will be paid a procuration fee by the lender

Whether you’re a novice first-time investor or an experienced landlord with a portfolio of properties, it’s critical that you understand how Buy-to-Let mortgages work and the tax implications associated with them.

The majority of Buy-to-Lets (buying property to rent out) are seen as long-term investments. At PW & Partners we like to think of investment properties as mini businesses and therefore they should run as tax efficiently and profitably as soon as possible. After all, nobody knows for certain what the property market will be like in the future.

For starters, Buy-to-Let investors need to be assured that rental income from a property will securely cover the mortgage repayments and all other expenses/outlays. Most lenders require evidence that your projected rent will cover your mortgage repayments by at least 125%.

Basically, it’s important that you do your research! At PW & Partners we have the knowledge, range of services and expertise within this particular area of specialist lending to help you achieve your goals.

Buy-to-Let Re-mortgage

You may be looking to re-mortgage your investment property at the end of your fixed/tracker rate in order to save money, raise money to buy another investment property or simply make home improvements to one of your existing properties. Some mortgage lenders will allow you to release equity from an investment property to use as a deposit for an additional property if you are looking to expand your portfolio further.

We retain your Buy-to-Let property information (for each property) and diarise when each needs to be reviewed – offering a helping hand to keep you on top of things and save you time and money.

Let-to-Buy

There are times when selling a property might not be the best option, for example if you are struggling to find a purchaser, your property has dropped in value or you have an emotional attachment and want to retain the property in your family – the solution could be Let-to-Buy.

This allows you to let out your current property and raise funds against it to buy another home without being pressurised to sell in a hurry or at a potential loss.

We can talk you through your options, giving you a clear indication of how much you could borrow and the associated costs.

Your home or other property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Some Buy to Let mortgages are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Gone are the days of 0% deposits. Most lenders will consider a deposit as low as 5% but as a general rule, the higher the loan to value (LTV*), the higher the interest you pay. In order to keep your mortgage repayments as low as possible we recommend aiming to secure a higher deposit if possible.

*LTV – amount you are borrowing compared to the purchase price or property value (whichever is lower).

Other Costs/Your Checklist:

Saving hard for your deposit shouldn’t overshadow the other costs associated with buying and selling property as these can add up! Many people simply aren’t aware of the additional costs or just simply forget to factor them in:

• Land & Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) – previously known as Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) came into force in April 2015 in Scotland with considerable changes depending on the cost of the property being purchased. The Scottish Government, in line with Westminster, launched further updates on 1st April 2016 |with tax payable at different rates on each portion of the purchase price within the specified tax bands – visit www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Finance/scottishapproach/lbtt for more information
• As well as this, the Additional Dwelling Supplement, charged at 4%, may apply.when people purchase an additional investment property or second home
• Home Report – if selling this is now required by law in Scotland
• In the currently competitive marketplace – it is often required to pay above market value (Home Report Value in Scotland) and this amount cannot be added to the mortgage i.e if you pay £20k over the Home Report value, you have to find this money it can not be added to your mortgage
• Additional Specialist Reports e.g damp/dry rot proofing
  Conveyancing fee – the legal fee associated with legally selling or purchasing a property
• Registers of Scotland fee for registering title deed and mortgage deed
• Estate agency fee if you are selling
• Moving costs
• Furnishing the property, white goods, new carpets, immediate repairs etc
• Mortgage Administration Fee (if applicable – see opposite for our fees)

Our Fees Explained…

Due to the high level of administration and work involved coupled with the changes in mortgage legislation we charge a Mortgage Administration Fee payable on application – this fee covers the following and is non-refundable:

• Liaising with you to ensure we provide you with the correct mortgage advice based on your circumstances
• Sourcing the mortgage arrangement, completing the decision in principle and obtaining the illustration
• Collating all supporting evidence from you to satisfy the lenders requirements
• Full submission of your mortgage application and supporting documents to the lender
• Liaising with you, the lender, valuer, solicitor etc to help you obtain a mortgage offer right through to full mortgage completion
• A full Mortgage Protection review
• Removing the burden of you having to deal with the whole mortgage application/administration process
• Our highly experienced Mortgage Advisers will take the time – at your pace – to understand your requirements and circumstances, talking you through the full range of mortgage options, creating a tailored solution that’s right for you now and in the future.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

From time to time, we all find ourselves in the position of needing quick access to some extra cash.

If this sounds like you,  we might be able to help you use your St. James’s Place and Rowan Dartington investments as security for a short-term loan (subject to eligibility).

Short-term loans are a popular way of accessing funds that you know you will need for only a short period of time. You might want to:

• Bridge a residential property purchase
• Make a one-off tax payment
• Make a luxury purchase, such as a yacht or classic car
• Carry out home improvements

We  can make flexible lending facilities available to private individuals, trusts and corporate clients.

St. James’s Place and Rowan Dartington work with Metro Bank and Credit Suisse to make these lending facilities available to you. Both services provide short-term liquidity facilities secured against investment portfolios.

If the value of the investment falls in relation to the agreed loan facility, the loan may need to be repaid in full. Metro Bank and Credit Suisse will take a charge over your investments and you will be unable to make any withdrawals from your charged investments without prior approval from the relevant bank. Rates and charges will apply. Please get in touch for full details.

Please note that these services are separate and distinct from those offered by PW&Partners or St. James’s Place.

The difficulties facing younger people in joining the ranks of homeownership are well-reported, with renting often now stretching well into one’s thirties or beyond. Consequently, an increasing number of parents and grandparents are stepping in to help children onto the housing ladder.

There are a number of ways to do this; gifting, loans and providing security to mortgage providers are all worth consideration, and many of these solutions have the dual-advantage of helping with effective estate planning. However, caution – and advice – needs to be taken when considering which option to take to ensure that no unexpected tax liabilities result from this act of generosity.

The home on which the mortgage is secured may be repossessed if payments are not kept up to date.

The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time. The value of any tax relief depends on individual circumstances.

We recommend anyone providing security gets legal advice to ensure they fully understand their obligations regarding the mortgage.

Supporting your children onto the housing ladder is undoubtedly a very generous act, but starting an investment plan from a very young age has even more added advantages. Setting aside funds from the early years means that even modest amounts invested on a regular basis will benefit from the effects of compounding, and reduce the risk of investing more significant amounts at the wrong time or during periods of market volatility.

By the time your child reaches 18, this could mean that they have a substantial fund to assist with university life or a generous pot building for their first house deposit.

Of course, from an estate planning perspective, by using gifting allowances to fund the investments – currently, an individual can gift a lump sum of up to £3,000 per year, and unlimited gifts of £250 per year – parents and grandparents, indeed anyone could benefit from the transfer of wealth without any Capital Gains or Income Tax penalties.

The concepts and appropriateness of using gifts and trusts* are best understood in the context of your own personal circumstances. If you would like to understand more about how they can help with your own estate planning needs, please do not hesitate to contact us.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested.

The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time and are dependent on individual circumstances.

*Trusts are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Passing on wealth to future generations is one of the most rewarding things you can do with your hard-earned money. The assets you pass on could help your children or grandchildren buy homes, get great educations, or set up their own business. So, ring-fencing as much as you can in order to mitigate the amount of Inheritance Tax or IHT you will need to pay is an important part of estate planning – and future financial wellbeing.

Inheritance Tax used to be something that applied only to wealthier individuals. That’s no longer strictly true. You may be liable for up to 40% Inheritance Tax on your assets, but only after an allowance known as the Nil Rate Band or NRB has been applied. The NRB is good news. It is currently set at £325,000. As the Nil Rate Band can transfer across to the surviving partner of marriages and registered civil partnerships, you could end up with a tax-free allowance of up to £650,000 if your estate meets the right criteria. If you leave your residential property to direct descendants they may also benefit from a residential nil-rate band of up to £175,000.

You should also think carefully about the sensitive issue of whom you make a beneficiary or ask to be a Trustee. Some of your loved ones may not be in a good place to look after money. For example, they might be facing a divorce or bankruptcy, or simply too young right now to know what to do for the best.

Here are three practical things you can do right now to help future-proof your wealth:

• Make sure your financial affairs and your Will are set up to allow the tax- efficient transfer of your assets when you die.
• Start transferring assets before your death through the prudent use of lifetime gifts.
• Create a tax-efficient fund to provide a legacy or to help your beneficiaries pay any Inheritance Tax due.

Building your wealth takes enterprise, vision, hard work and an occasional lucky break.

Protecting that wealth also takes foresight and expert trust and estate planning.

The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time. The value of any tax relief depends on individual circumstances.

Advice relating to a Will involves the referral to a service that is separate and distinct to those offered by St. James’s Place. Wills and Trusts are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

A well-written and correctly planned Will is crucial to efficient Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning.

A carefully drafted Will can help you plan appropriately for IHT by making the most of available tax reliefs and ensuring your assets go where you want them to.

If you fail to make a Will, your assets will be distributed according to intestacy rules, which means they may not go to your chosen heirs.

Most of us would prefer to pass on our wealth to our families rather than HM Revenue & Customs. Never assume that a Will drawn up many years ago will still hold good tomorrow. It’s wise to review your will regularly, assessing its provisions and relevance to your changing circumstances.

We have access to legal service providers who can arrange for Wills to be drawn up on your behalf. This is just part of the service we provide on protecting you and your estate.

The writing of a Will involves the referral to a service that is separate and distinct to those offered by St. James’s Place. Wills are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Assumptions:
1. Contributions are paid monthly in advance, increasing each year by inflation, for 16 years from your current age until retirement

2. An annuity rate of 6% has been assumed to calculate pension pot at retirement

3. If any Tax Free Lump Sum is to be taken, this will reduce the pension income required.

The figure provided is an example only and not guaranteed – this isn’t a minimum or maximum amount. What you will get back depends on how your investment grows and on the tax treatment of the investment. You could get back more or less than this.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested.

The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time and are dependent on individual circumstances

Using only the details you enter here, the results will give you a rough idea of the chances of one of the following events happening before your chosen retirement age; death, suffering a critical illness or being unable to work. The calculator uses population and industry statistics shown in the ‘Description’ below and your personal results are shown as a percentage. Please remember, these results are only a guide and are not certain to happen. Everyone is different, as are their financial needs. If you would like to discuss your financial needs in more detail, please get in touch.

Use our simple mortgage calculator to see how much you could potentially borrow.

You can use the applicant income sliders or simply type in the amount you wish to borrow. The monthly payments and total amount payable figures will change as you use the tool

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Investing is a long-term game. Generally, the longer we leave our money invested, the greater the chance of achieving better returns. So why are we often inclined to leave it until the end of the tax year to make use of our annual Individual Savings Account (ISA) allowance? An ISA is one of the most tax-efficient, flexible and potentially rewarding investments you can make.

Use our simple ISA calculator to see how much your ISA could be worth.

These figures are only examples and are not guaranteed – they are not minimum or maximum amounts. What you will get back depends on how the investment grows and on the tax treatment of the investment. You could get back more or less than this.

The results are based on an assumed annual growth rate of 5%, an initial charge of 5% and ongoing charges of 1.7%. They do not take account of inflation.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected an may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested.

The favourable tax treatment given to ISAs may not be maintained in the future, as they are subject to changes in legislation.