MT pensions advice - from the experts
15/03/2010
Puzzled by your pension? Mature Times is here to help, with the expert assistance of Malcolm McLean Chief Executive of the Pensions Advisory Service.
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Do you know how to calculate your tax bill?
Well, you might think you do, but according to a recent report from The Commons Public Accounts Committee some 2.4 million pensioners in the UK don’t – in fact they were responsible for swelling the revenues coffers by an astonishing £200 million in the 2006 – 2007 tax year alone – an average of a little over £83 each!
Older travellers warned to watch for overnight hikes in Travel Insurance premiums
British pensioners continue to be punished with high travel insurance costs on the grounds of their age, with those travelling within Europe being penalised the most once they reach the age of 65, according to research by moneysupermarket.com.
Take tax action now - join webchat on 11th March at 1.30pm
Perplexed by pensions? Confused by CGT? Stumped by self assessment? Billions of pounds of hard earned cash is wasted every year through unnecessary tax payments or failure to use tax breaks. But how do you ensure you are not paying more than you should?
Direct Payments – Think Tax - Don’t Get Caught Out
You may be wondering what on earth this heading means. Well, this month we are encouraging you to think ahead. As we get older, help around the house starts to become a desirable option and if money is tight, it is often the time to approach your local Social Services for help. If you are assessed as needing help and care, you may be offered Direct Payments.
Some quick ways to cut your water bills
An MT reader recently got in touch to query why she was unable to get a reduction from her water bill when she was living alone and using so little water. We sorted that out for her, saving her over £100 a year – a timely reminder for all our readers to make sure their charges for water and sewerage services are correct and as low as possible.
Are YOU entitled to a tax credit? Why not find out here
A new online calculator has been set up to help people find out if they are due a tax credit
Need Home buying advice? Join the webchat on Thursday 28th Jan, 1pm
Volatile house prices and a shortage of mortgages mean tough times for everyone in the housing market. Particularly for a first time buyer, the process can be very daunting and stressful. That is why getting specialist, independent advice is vital.
Personal loan rates starting to fall
New figures show that personal loan rates are starting to fall, with the average rate of the top ten loan deals falling to 8.35 per cent – the lowest since the Bank of England cut the base rate to 0.5 per cent last March, although this is still at a five year high.
The ‘grey pound’ set to hit £100bn mark, says Age Concern and Help the Aged
Older consumers have grown into a market force to be reckoned with, says Age Concern and Help the Aged, as new figures reveal the amount of money spent annually by people over the age of 65 in the UK is set to hit the £100 billion mark.
Free mobile calls for benefit claimants
Free phone calls for most people using their mobiles to claim benefits and pensions are announced by the Department of Work and Pensions today.
Spot the difference
We promised to look at the Pre-Budget Report this month and thought that we would be able to introduce you to the new allowances for 2010/11. However it turns out that they have been frozen like our weather and will be remaining much the same. This may seem mean but to be fair, the increases are based on the inflation rate and this year for the first time it is zero. Here they are anyway. If nothing else you can use them as an easy reference for checking your coding notice which should drop through your letterbox in the next month or so.
Age Concern and Help the Aged respond to phasing out of cheques
In response to the Payment Council’s decision to set a target date of 2018 to close the cheque clearing system‚ Andrew Harrop‚ Head of Public Policy for Age Concern and Help the Aged‚ said:“This move by the Payments Council will leave millions of older people worrying about how they will manage their finances without cheques.
Service above and beyond: make the most of your Christmas shopping
‘Tis the season of expense, so how do you make sure that you get exactly what you have paid for with your hard earned money?
Be careful when you come bearing gold
The sale of gold - a classically reliable commodity in austere times - is swiftly becoming an area in which rip-offs, unfair trade agreements, and poor prices are rife at a time when the price of gold is actually soaring.
Hackney Trading Standards warns that consumers need stay on guard to make sure they don’t end up out of pocket.
