Introduction This newsletter has the following subjects each of which you can jump to by pressing on the headings below.
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Newsletter Library
We keep a library of previous issues which can be accessed by the link below.
Newsletter Library
Please remember that the information contained in these archives items is not subject to ongoing review or comment.
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Online Finance Awards
We are proud to announce that we have won the ‘Best Online IFA’ category in the 2007 Online Finance Awards, in addition we were
Highly Commended in the ‘Best Financial Advice Site’ category.
We would like to thank all of our clients, your ongoing constructive feedback has helped make the website what it is today. With your
continuing feedback we hope to keep developing the website in a client-focussed way. For further information about the awards please see our
e-mail alert on the subject or visit the official awards website.
Online Finance Awards Results
Official Website
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Capital Gains Tax
You may wish to familiarise yourself with the new rules regarding capital gains tax, these rules will come into effect from April 2008. We have
produced the following article giving examples of how calculations will be made in future tax years.
Taper Tribulations
Please be aware that some taxpayers may benefit from the new flat 18% charge, others however will suffer. If you are considering making
disposals you may wish to discuss whether these would be better executed under the present regime, or deferred to the new tax year.
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School Fees Planning
A high-quality education is one of the most valuable gifts a parent or guardian can give a child. If you choose to privately educate your
children it can be one of the largest financial commitments that you make. With the costs soaring above the rate of inflation School Fees are likely to become an
even greater burden in the future. The article below explains the potential costs in greater detail and how clarity can help you to plan for these costs.
School Fees Planning
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Tax Year End Planning
As you will no doubt be aware, the end of the 2007/08 tax year, 5th April 2008, is fast approaching. To assist with your thoughts we have summarised the issues
we feel should be considered when planning for the tax year-end. Please bear in mind that these are general comments on the subject, for more tailored comments
please contact your usual clarity advisor.
Tax Year End Planning
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Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs)
The link below provides further information on SIPPs. Many individuals should consider the appropriateness of SIPPs in light of the New
Pension Regime introduced with effect from 6 April 2006 and the need to monitor their pension investment/strategy more closely. Further
advice should be sought from your usual clarity adviser.
Types Of Pensions
Please see document below for a comparison of the three SIPP products that we recommend. These products are provided by James Hay,
FundsNetwork & Cofunds. If you are thinking of utilising a Self Invested Personal Pension for managing your benefits, and would like advice
on the subject, please contact one of our advisers.
SIPP Product Comparison
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Protected rights to be allowed in SIPPs
Clients who have consolidated existing personal pensions into a Self Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) will be pleased to hear that the DWP
has started consultation on draft regulations to permit protected rights funds to be held within SIPPs. The consultation period is open until
29 February 2008, with the implementation date expected to be October 2008.
Consolidation of any protected rights monies that have previously had to be retained outside of a SIPP will allow for greater investment
choice, and easier administration and reporting.
For further information, please see the DWP document below.
DWP Document
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Cofunds SIPP
Cofunds have recently released their own SIPP product, it is provided in association with Legal & General and clients that have not yet
considered a SIPP product may be interested to hear that if you have pension funds in excess of £275,000, there is the advantage of no Annual
Fee. For further details of the Cofunds SIPP product, please read our news and views article below.
Cofunds SIPP News & Views Article
For those clients with an existing SIPP with holdings in Cofunds (typical with James Hay SIPPs), it is possible to move your holdings to
the more competitively charged Cofunds SIPP without any out of market time or cost. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact
your usual clarity Adviser or enquiries@clarityglobal.com
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Consolidated Online Valuations
We are pleased to announce our new consolidated valuation service, many of you will have already used the service, for those who have not,
an example of the consolidated valuation can be found below. For further information about the online valuations please see our 'About online valuations'
page detailed below.
Valuation
Example
About Online Valuations
The Consolidated valuation is available for those clients with holdings in Cofunds and FundsNetwork. For those clients with Cofunds holdings
under their James Hay SIPP, please note that we don't currently receive the cash information from James Hay. If you wish to view an online
valuation of your Cash Account or other non-Cofunds holdings within your SIPP you can register directly with James Hay using the link below.
James Hay Online Valuations
Please be aware that due to security issues you must be logged in to view your valuation, and you will only be able to view your own
holdings. Spouse / partners and children will need a separate individual login to view their holdings. When you add your reference number to
your profile, it may initially take up to 24 hours for your valuation information to become available.
Consolidated Valuation
We are happy to create login details for other family members but require a separate e-mail address for each family member, full name and date of
birth. Please contact enquiries@clarityglobal.com with any requests.
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Cofunds
We continue to suggest the Cofunds platform for all ISA and unit trust investments going forward. You can also use Cofunds to hold all your
existing PEPs, ISAs and Unit Trusts/OEICs. The benefits are that you are able to access a consolidated valuation, asset allocation model and
risk profile through ALL your holdings....and there is no additional annual charge! Please see the attached link for further information on
Cofunds.
Cofunds Explanation
For those clients who are interested in transferring their holdings to the Cofunds platform, we are offering a FREE administration service,
to assist with the completion of forms and to help the process of transferring your holdings to Cofunds run as smoothly and as quickly as
possible. For further information please see the article below.
Cofunds Administration Service Details
If individuals do not wish to utilise the Cofunds platform there are other alternative routes of investment. Please contact your usual clarity
adviser to discuss matters further.
As detailed above, online valuations are available via this website. In addition the link below shows the portfolio detail that can also
be obtained by clarity for investments held in Cofunds. Please note that this cannot be accessed online by clients, but is available on
request.
Example X-Ray
Online dealing in ISA, OEICs and Unit Trusts via Cofunds (no initial commission and significant discounts) is also available.
Cofunds Online Dealing
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Market Comment
The following news article provides some details on current changes in the market, and points of interest for investors.
Market Commentary - January 2008
Please also see the graph which shows movement of the major indices in 2007.
Graph Of Major Indices
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Fund Management Updates
The attached News Articles detail some recent fund changes which you should be aware of. If as a result of these you feel that you may wish
to switch fund holdings, please contact your usual clarity adviser.
Schroder Global Properties Securities
M&G American Fund
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Pension Choices
As a number of clients will now have SIPP investments, we will no longer be tracking the insured funds as we have done previously. If you
wish to discuss specific insure fund choices or discuss SIPP selection, then please do get in touch. For those with Clerical Medical or Legal
& General policies, there are some links here to original buy notes for these funds if you wish to refresh your understanding of asset
allocation.
Clerical Medical Performance UK Equity
Clerical Medical Performance Adventurous Managed
Clerical Medical Performance Balanced Managed
Clerical Medical Performance Cautious Managed
Legal & General UK Index Tracker
Legal & General Global Equity Fixed Weights Index
For spouses / partners and children who have Stakeholder Pensions plans, or who are interested in acquiring a stakeholder policy, the link
below will take you to the stakeholder buy list which has been researched by clarity, this includes the current suggested funds for
stakeholders.
Stakeholder Buy List
Individuals with access to Group Arrangements via their employer should consider their options before proceeding further.
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Unit Trust/OEIC/ISA Choices
Here is detail of the current suggested funds. You should ensure that you consider utilisation of your ISA allowances. Please do not
forget ISA allowances for spouses and children over the age of 16 for a cash ISA and 18 for an equity ISA.
Buy List
The clarity buy list provides further information on the specific funds & managers, together with details of the charges. The list
covers both Unit Trust and ISAs.
If you would like to see some performance figures on the main managed fund options then please use the link here.
Managed Fund Performance Figures
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Unit Trust/OEIC/ISA Choices
Here are some useful links to sites where you can research your fund selection. Do make sure, however, that you transact via clarity to
make sure you get the nil initial commission terms.
www.lipperweb.com
www.morningstar.co.uk
www.ft.com/fundratings
Individuals should note that if they access the above links they will be leaving the clarity website.
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Unit Trust/OEIC/ISA Transactions
All individuals are eligible to use our nil initial commission, discounted service, whether or not advice is taken from us. Forms for
Unit Trust/ISAs can be downloaded through this website by selecting the link here.
Pick Up Unit Trust/ISA Forms
We are suggesting all future deals are placed through the "Cofunds" dealing platform. This not only allows access to the existing range
of funds on similar or better terms, but also gives consolidated valuations and geographical analysis. If interested, you can deal now on
this basis. Please contact us for details or ask for the "Cofunds Pack" when requesting forms. Please see
Cofunds section for further
information.
enquiries@clarityglobal.com
Unit Trust Application Form
ISA Application Form
Key Features - General
Key Features - Fund Specific
If individuals do not wish to utilise the Cofunds platform there are other alternative routes of investment. Please contact your usual
clarity adviser to discuss matters further.
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Cash Investment
Indicative rates for those holding money in cash. Remember that long term cash has historically performed poorly relative to other asset
classes.
Cash Investment Rates
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Mortgage Rates
The linked page provides a summary of the rates currently available.
Mortgage Rates
Please note that the mortgage market is competitive and subject to change. Individuals should check that the rates are still current
before proceeding further.
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Advisers
The link provides further information on the clarity team.
Adviser Details
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Risk Warnings/Suitability
Investments transacted by clarity as a result of this Newsletter are treated as "Direct Offer" investments. Whilst we have offered generic
product details, you have personally decided whether the investment is suitable to your circumstances and is affordable. Please see the
detailed note and also Terms of Business and Key Facts documents. It is important to read the full notes.
Suitability
Risk Warnings
Terms Of Business
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