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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New Star
Henderson and New Star are now due to merge in March with the above being the most likely name for the combined entity.
Andrew Formica the Chief executive has announced his intention to retain the services of Richard Pease and James Gledhill, who manage the
European Growth and High Yield Bond funds respectively. John Duffield, the founder of New Star will leave the firm.
Whilst we do not currently recommend investment of further funds with New Star, we do recommend that clients remain invested in these
funds. We detail our reasons behind this in the full article found below.
Full Article
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Basic State Pension
Where applicable, the cost of buying extra qualifying years, to increase your Basis State Pension provision is to rise
dramatically from £421 per year to £627 per year from 6 April 2009. Though this still represents good value, it makes sense to take advantage
of the current rate.
The news and views article below gives further details of this change, explains how to check your entitlement and the
benefits of purchasing additional qualifying years.
Full Article
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Equitable Life
The Government has responded to the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s Report into the prudential regulation of the Equitable Life
Assurance Society from 1988 to December 2001. The Government accepts some, but not all of the Ombudsman's report's findings of
maladministration by public bodies during the period under review.
To read on please use the link below to view the full article.
Full Article
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Allied Irish Bank
The Irish Government decided, having consulted with the Board of Anglo Irish Bank Corporation plc, to take steps that will
enable the Bank to be taken into public ownership. This means the Irish government now owns the Bank.
To find out how this may affect you, please read our full article on the subject.
For further information please see our note below.
Full Article
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Awards 2008
Following our success in the 2007 Online Finance awards we were again nominated in both the ‘Best Online IFA’ and ‘Best
Financial Advice Site’ category. We were highly commended in the 'Best Financial Advice Site' category for the second year in a row and we
look forward to carrying our achievements in these awards forward into 2009.
For further information about the Online Finance awards, please visit the official awards website detailed below.
 Online Finance Awards
As well as the Online Finance awards we also entered into the Gold Standard Awards. The Awards, which are run by Incisive
Media, seek to go further than any other set of financial services awards by assessing companies’ performance across the five elements of
trust, fair value, financial strength, service and their capability to conduct business well.
We are delighted to have been awarded the Gold Standard Award for Independent Financial Advice. For more information about
the awards, please visit the official awards website detailed below.
Gold Standard Awards
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Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs)
The attached link provides further information on SIPPs. Many individuals should consider the appropriateness of SIPPs in
light of the 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 the attached SIPP Comparison Document, which compares SIPP Products 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 for further information.
SIPP Product Comparison
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Consolidated Online Valuations
We have been providing our clients with online valuations for more than 2 years, the result of our experience in this area
and more importantly feedback from our clients is the Consolidated Valuation currently available for all clients registered with the clarity
website. For those clients who have never made use of our online valuation service, please see the link below for full details of our
Consolidated Valuation Service.
About Online Valuations
The Consolidated valuation is available for those clients with holdings in Cofunds, FundsNetwork and also those clients
with Cofunds holdings within 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
If you have any difficulties setting up your online valuation we have produced a troubleshooting page to assist clients
with some common problems. If you cannot find the answer on our troubleshooting page then a member of our Web team would be happy to talk
things through with you on the phone (0870 242 2043) or via e-mail
enquiries@clarityglobal.com.
Consolidated Valuation (Login & Valuation Setup Required)
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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 offer 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 our 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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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.
Artemis European Growth 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 insured fund choices or discuss SIPP selection, then please do get in touch. For those with
Legal & General or Norwich Union policies, there are some links here to our buy notes for these funds if you wish to refresh your
understanding of the asset allocation.
Legal & General UK Index Tracker
Legal & General Global Equity Fixed Weights Index
Legal & General Managed Fund
Aviva Balanced Managed Fund
Aviva Sustainable Future Global Growth Fund
Aviva UK Equity Fund
Aviva Defensive Managed Fund
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
Below is a link to our list of 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.
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Unit Trust/OEIC/ISA Research
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 suggest that all 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.
Risk Warnings
Terms Of Business
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