July 2010
Pensions
Do you have various pension plans scattered around? If so, have you thought about consolidating these into one flexible and manageable arrangement?
Whether you have a pre A-day or post A-day IPP, or UK ‘money-purchase’ pensions from your previous employers, it is likely that you would have lost track of the value, performance and general administration of these arrangements. Now however you can alleviate yourself of this problem to your advantage.
Depending on the type of pension plans that you have and your current residency status, it is possible to consolidate these into one flexible and manageable arrangement that provides for simple administration and efficiency. It is worth remembering that consolidating your pension funds creates an increased pot of money from which you have available for investment whereby you will be able to implement a clear and manageable strategy across one single pension plan.
In the current uncertain and volatile economic environment we are seeing increased demand from individuals to have greater transparency as to how their wealth is managed and where possible, take control of where their funds are invested.
At the Frontier Group, we are able to facilitate the consolidation of your pension plans into an arrangement that gives the individual the choice and discretion to influence how their pension funds are invested, who they are managed by, and where they are held, whilst ensuring regular and accurate reporting procedures are in place.
If you are interested in learning more about how your pension funds can be consolidated and to have a review of your existing arrangements please contact us to arrange a meeting.
‘Alternative Investments’ for your pension fund
Depending on the kind of pension structure that you have it is possible to significantly diversify your investment portfolio by gaining exposure to ‘non-standard’ asset classes, moving away from the traditional asset classes usually associated with pensions.
With many of our clients exposed to the volatility and uncertainty of the financial markets in their day-to-day jobs, especially given the increases in the proportion of stock awards in employee compensation packages, individuals are increasingly utilising an alternative asset allocation strategy for their pension funds.
One alternative asset class that is proving popular amongst investors is Diamonds. Investment diamond prices have outperformed the overall market in the first half of this year, having risen 17 per cent. Investment diamond prices are still below the levels reached in the first half of 2008, giving impetus for the upward price trend to continue.
The investment diamond price surge started in January, sparked by a rebound in demand from major diamond consuming markets coupled with the severe reduction in diamond production that started in late 2008.
Other asset classes that prove popular are Art, Antiques and Fine Wine. Typically these alternative investment classes are most suitable for those individuals with pre-2006 International Pension Plans.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can structure your pension to gain exposure to alternative asset classes including Diamonds, Art, Antiques and Fine Wine, please contact us for further information.
Leaving the UK
If you have left the UK or are planning on leaving the UK in the near future, there are a number of issues to consider with respect to your pension arrangements. Whether you have UK pensions from your previous employers, International Pension Plans (pre or post A-day) or a SIPP, there are opportunities available to maximise your options at the point of taking benefit and in turn increasing your provisions at retirement in a tax efficient manner, whatever the jurisdiction you are moving to.
For further information or to arrange a consultation to review your pension structures please contact : Jordan Williams on j.williams@pegasus-fs.com OR +44 (0) 207 539 9920