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Aspects of investments and investing

This section will introduce you to options available for savings and investments.

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Building your wealth
Making your savings grow and being able to retire when and how you want is one of your most important financial objectives. But achieving this goal takes planning and perseverance.
A lifetime of personal financial planning
Throughout life, from childhood to retirement, circumstances and priorities change. At every stage it is important to make well-informed decisions to ensure that you and your family are following the best strategies for achieving your goals.
Achieving financial security in retirement
For many people their retirement plans have been devastated by the fall of the stock market in the first decade of the new millennium, reduction in property values and the fall in interest and annuity rates. What chance now of a 'comfortable retirement'?
2011/12 ISA allowances
Details of investment maximums for ISA's including the new Junior ISA.
Buy-to-let properties
At one time, investing in buy-to-let properties was seen as a sure fire way to achieve long term growth. Many investors, deterred by the ups and downs of the Stock Market turned to investing in property as a safer investment haven.
Individual savings accounts (ISAs)
An ISA is a tax-free investment vehicle. When you invest your savings, shares or life insurance, as well as all FSA authorised retail investment schemes and UK Real Estate Investment Trusts into an ISA  account, your income and gains from the investments are free from income tax and capital gains tax.
VCT & EIS
These schemes provide considerable tax reliefs, although, as ever, professional advice must be sought before making investments that qualify for these reliefs.
Alternative investments
When it comes to investing, there is more to life than ISA s, stocks and shares. Alternative investments have risen in popularity in recent times,  especially those who have money to invest and do not wish to invest in the stock market or property, and those with an interest in collecting more tangible assets, such as antiques or works of art, could find that their investments yield higher returns that the stock market.
Tax efficient investments
Including ISAs, pension contributions, Enterprise investment scheme (EIS) and Venture Capital Trusts (VCT’s).
Tax on savings income
Savings income (which includes all types of interest) paid net is taxed usually at source at 20%. Dividends on UK  equities carry a (non repayable) tax credit of 10%. The intention is that only higher rate taxpayers should have to pay any additional tax, although 'starting rate' and non-taxpayers may be entitled to claim a tax refund. From 2009/10 the starting rate of 10% applies only to savings income up to £2,440. If non savings income exceeds this, no 10% rate applies.
Capital gains tax EIS deferral relief
Tax relief for re-investment of gains in qualifying schemes was introduced to stimulate investment in small businesses, and was incorporated into the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), as EIS deferral relief.