Welcome to our latest issue. A return to how life was at the start of 2020 is some way off. Even now that lockdown restrictions are starting to be eased, coronavirus (COVID-19) will continue to affect our lives in many ways.
Whether you have earned your wealth, inherited it or made shrewd investments, you will want to ensure that as little of it as possible ends up in the hands of the taxman and that it can be enjoyed by you, your family and your intended beneficiaries. On page 10, we look at why, without an appropriate estate plan, your family may end up spending a substantial amount of time and money battling over your assets if you pass away.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic effect on the global economy. Around the world, economic activity has dried up. Fewer consumers are buying and fewer companies are investing. But if you take the view that inflation will start to go up in the long term, on page 06 we look at why it is worth considering whether your savings and investments could be affected. After all, you need your investments, and the income from them, to keep pace with inflation to maintain the value of your buying power.
There are lots of variables in retirement: how long people will live for, the costs of goods and services they will need, interest rates available on their accumulated savings, and so on. But once you have retired, investing is anything but straightforward. On page 04. we discuss how to avoid having insufficient income to pay your projected retirement expenses.
Sharper focus on money
The coronavirus crisis has drastically changed all aspects of life as we know it, but it has also brought a sharper focus on money, particularly on how prepared we are to weather unexpected financial events. We hope you find this issue useful, and if you require any further help or guidance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
A full list of the articles featured in this issue appears on page 03.
