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Financial consultations: current popular queries among clients

Financial advisor Lisa Caplan, a chartered planner at Charles Stanley, discusses the most frequently asked questions she encounters: inheritance tax, investment strategies, and pension planning.

Financial advisors grappling with frequent queries on economic recovery, stimulus packages, and...
Financial advisors grappling with frequent queries on economic recovery, stimulus packages, and investment strategies amid the ongoing pandemic.

Charles Stanley Direct, a leading financial services provider, offers advice and guidance in the areas of investing, inheritance tax, and pensions. The company's approach is centred around holistic financial planning, personalised advice, and a user-friendly platform.

Investing with Charles Stanley Direct caters to various investor types, offering a range of actively managed multi-asset funds suitable for both cautious and adventurous investors. The service provides annual reviews and allows clients the flexibility to switch funds as their circumstances change. Tax-efficient investing is also emphasised, with advice on holding funds in wrappers such as ISAs (Individual Savings Accounts) and SIPPs (Self-Invested Personal Pensions) to optimise capital gains tax allowances and other tax benefits.

Charles Stanley Direct's platform features a broad range of UK and US stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, and investment trusts. Notably, they offer flexible stocks and shares ISAs, allowing withdrawals and replacements within the same tax year without losing the ISA allowance, a feature not common among competitors.

In terms of inheritance tax, while specific details were not explicitly detailed in the provided search results, Charles Stanley's holistic financial planning service implies that they incorporate estate planning considerations into their advice, helping clients plan for the future wellbeing of their children and grandchildren, which often includes inheritance tax planning to minimise liabilities and ensure generational wealth transfer.

Pension planning is another area of focus for Charles Stanley Direct. Through their Personal Portfolio Service, they include investment options held within SIPPs, emphasising the importance of tax-efficient pension investments. Their holistic financial planning service generally covers pension planning as part of the five-stage financial planning process, ensuring clients have a strategy aligned with their retirement goals.

The feedback received for the service has been overwhelmingly positive. People appreciate the friendliness, professionalism, and lack of sales pressure from the service. The service aims to provide straightforward answers to financial questions, offering a free 15-minute financial planning call.

However, it's important to note that gifting one's home to children is not possible without paying market rate rent, which is taxable. Following the Chancellor's changes, there has been an increase in calls about inheritance tax. Charles Stanley provides information on pension rules, tax relief, and pension contributions.

Many people are unaware that few estates pay inheritance tax. In the case of a guarantee, such as in a salary-based scheme, Charles Stanley suggests seeking full financial advice. The company has also spoken to several women who recently inherited funds and need guidance.

While Charles Stanley can provide general guidelines for investing, they do not offer personalised recommendations. In cases where reservations are present, gifts should be avoided. For those seeking advice before investing, Charles Stanley Direct provides a supportive and informative environment to help navigate the world of finance.

  1. Charles Stanley Direct's financial advice extends to various aspects of investment, including tax-efficient investing, with consideration given to holding funds in wrappers like ISAs and SIPPs for optimized capital gains tax allowances.
  2. The company's Personal Portfolio Service incorporates investment options held within SIPPs, underscoring the importance of tax-efficient pension investments in their holistic financial planning process.
  3. In the area of inheritance tax, Charles Stanley Direct's holistic financial planning service may include estate planning considerations, helping clients to plan for the future well-being of their family, including minimising inheritance tax liabilities.
  4. Seeking personalised investment advice can be beneficial, especially for those who are unsure about gifting funds or investing, as Charles Stanley Direct offers a supportive and informative environment to navigate the complexities of finance and personal-finance matters.

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