Welcome to the latest issue of our TIPS financial magazine.

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 i 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 needs, 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.

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 of the TIPS financial magazine useful, and if you require any further help please contact one of our independent financial advisers.

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The content of the article featured is for your general information and use only and is not intended to address your particular requirements. Articles should not be relied upon in their entirety and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute, advice. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of any article. Thresholds, percentage rates and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts. Levels and bases of, and reliefs from, taxation are subject to change and their value depends on the individual circumstances of the investor. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.