Financial services

AMS Investments & Pensions Ltd is a specialist service provided to AMS clients by Peter Fulcher, our experienced Independent Financial Adviser. We advise on all aspects of investments, protection, pensions and mortgages.

AMS Investments & Pensions Ltd is an appointed representative of Business & Personal Investment Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and entered on their register under firm reference number 425865. Peter Fulcher is Managing Director of Business & Personal Investment Limited.

Tax efficient savings

Nobody wants to pay more tax than they have to, so making sure that your savings are sheltered from tax wherever possible makes good sense.

While considering tax-efficient investments such as Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), it is also important to ensure that you pick the right underlying investments and take account of the need to spread your assets, in order to avoid 'putting all your eggs in one basket'. Most ISAs will allow you considerable freedom over how your money is invested.

Every adult can invest up to £10,200 into an ISA each year, up to half of which can be in cash. If you do decide to invest part of your money into cash, you can switch it into equities later, without affecting your annual investment allowance for that year.

Money within an ISA grows free of most income and all capital gains tax and when you want access to your money, which can be on a lump sum or regular income basis, it is totally free of tax.

Other forms of tax-efficient savings are available, such as Enterprise Investment Schemes and Venture Capital Trusts, but these involve significantly higher risk of loss and are unlikely to be appropriate in most cases.

You should always remember that the value of investments is not guaranteed and you could get back less than you invest.

Retirement planning

Because the population is aging, state benefits have not been growing in line with earnings for many years and this means that personal retirement provision is absolutely essential, if you are to enjoy a reasonable standard of living when you retire.

Fortunately, you can contribute up to your entire earnings each year into a pension, provided that you do not go above the allowance of £255,000 a year set by the government. Your employer can top up your contributions to the annual limit even if this is more than you earn, but special rules now apply to those earning £130,000 a year or more.

All personal contributions are paid net of basic rate tax relief, so if you invest £800 a month, this will be worth £1,000 a month in your pension scheme. 40% rate taxpayers can also receive up to a further 20% in tax relief.

Even those with no income can invest £2,880 each year and the government will top it up to £3,600 in the form of tax relief.

Your money grows free of most income and all capital gains tax and when the time comes to retire (at any age from 55), you can take up to 25% of your fund as a (currently tax free) pension commencement lump sum. The balance is used to purchase an annuity or to provide an income directly from your pension fund. This is taxed as earned income in the normal way.

Currently, you have to purchase an annuity or use an alternatively secured pension, once you reach age 75, but the government has recently announced that this rule is to be withdrawn, leaving the more flexible rules in place.

You should always remember that the value of investments is not guaranteed and you could get back less than you invest.

Long term care

For some people, the time comes when they are no longer able to live independently, but need to go into a care home or nursing home - or possibly receive care in their own home.

This can be very expensive, but while government are addressing ways in which the costs can be managed, there is not sufficient tome for many people to benefit from future plans. In any event, it is unlikely that any state arrangements that can be afforded will provide the standard of living that many people will expect. Personal provision is therefore essential.

Fortunately, it is possible to arrange various forms of insurance, either in advance or when the time comes, that can cover part or all of the costs involved.

Protecting your family

For most of us, family is the most important thing we have and we want to make sure that they are provided for should anything happen to us.

This might include an extended period of illness, or the diagnosis of a critical illness, as well as death.

We can help you asses the level of cover needed to protect your family financially, should anything happen to you, a carer, or anyone else who contributes towards the family budget.

This can include:

  • Protecting your mortgage and other borrowings if you die; and
  • Providing a lump sum and income to help your family cope if you die, become ill or are injured.

Private medical insurance

However good the National Health Service is, there are times when you may require more than it can afford to offer. In particular, it may be that there is a long waiting list to be seen, or you cannot arrange an appointment convenient to you.

Fortunately, private medical insurance is available that can help you and your family access expert medical care at a time and place to suit you in pleasant surroundings and with personal attention. This can make all the difference when it comes to recovery times, because you will be more relaxed, knowing that your medical insurance will take care of things for you.

Schemes are available to match a wide range of needs and pockets.

Mortgages and re-mortgages

For most of us, purchasing our home is the largest single financial decision we ever make. It is therefore important to get your financial arrangements right. The mortgage market has changed dramatically since the credit crunch and the need for professional advice has never been greater.

After all, making a mistake in applying for a mortgage can cost you time and money as well as potentially making it more difficult to secure an offer later on.

The same is true of re-mortgages. There are a large number of deals on the market, ranging from fixed rate, capped, variable, cash-back and offset. Selecting the right one to match your personal circumstances is something that cannot be undertaken lightly.

We have access to the entire mortgage market and would be pleased to advise you, whether you are a first-time buyer, re-mortgaging or looking for a buy-to-let deal.

You may lose your home if you do not keep up the repayments on your mortgage. The Financial Services Authority does not regulate all forms of mortgages.

General insurance

As well as helping clients with their investments and personal protection insurance, we are able to arrange insurance on homes and many businesses, including:

  • Home contents;
  • Buildings;
  • Property outside the home;
  • Personal liability;
  • Legal expenses;
  • Business packages;
  • Public, product and employers' liability;
  • Money;
  • Goods in transit; and many more types.

Employee benefits

As any employer knows, their employees are their greatest asset. It is therefore important to ensure that they are given every reason to stay - and remain loyal and effective. However, simply paying 'top dollar' is no guarantee that you will not lose key staff. For many people, money is not the sole - or even primary - motivator. Instead, additional drivers can influence them.

That is why many successful businesses offer a flexible remuneration package that includes pensions, death in service cover, sick pay, private medical insurance and other benefits that can be used to match each individual employee's requirements at different stages in their lives.

We can help you recognise employees' aspirations and create a remuneration package that matches their needs - hopefully helping you to retain better quality staff.

Fees

Fees can be paid either on an invoice basis, being determined by how much work we do, or on a commission basis. Many people prefer to pay by commission because it is paid directly to us from their fund rather than from their personal bank account.

We can help you to get the best out of your finances by:

  • Getting to know your needs and your aspirations;
  • Comparing these with your available resources;
  • Considering what is available in the market place;
  • Making recommendations; and, if agreed,
  • Implementing your plans.

 For more information, please contact us.

AMS Investments & Pensions Ltd is an appointed representative of Business & Personal Investment Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and entered on their register under firm reference number 425865. Peter Fulcher is the Managing Director of Business & Personal Investment Limited.