Our insights

August Market Commentary

August 01, 2013 by TIna

Category: Uncategorized

There was good news and bad news for the world economy in July – as ever, commentators were divided on whether the glass was half full or half empty…

The price of gold has been steadily falling since its peak of $1,900 an ounce in August 2011. At the beginning of July it stood at less than $1,250 – which surely heralds a worldwide return of confidence. After all, gold is traditionally held as a hedge against economic uncertainty and downright financial Armageddon.

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The single tier pension – how will this affect you?

July 31, 2013 by TIna

Category: Uncategorized

The single-tier pension will be introduced from 6 April 2016, which means that all women born on or after 6 April 1953 will reach State Pension age after the introduction of single tier and will receive a single-tier pension, as will every man born on or after 6 April 1951. As long as they meet the minimum qualifying period, these people will be able to get a single-tier pension.

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One million workers aged 65 and over…

July 31, 2013 by TIna

Category: Uncategorized

Figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) recently showed that there are now more than one million people in the workforce aged 65 or over. This is the highest number since the ONS started collating this data, back in 1971.

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Comparative well-being for UK households, 2011/2012

July 30, 2013 by TIna

Category: Uncategorized

On 10th July  2013, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) reported on the ‘Effects of Taxes and Benefits on Household Income, 2011/12’. The report adds to the evidence being amassed as part of the ongoing ONS Measuring National Well-being Programme – how the UK as a whole is doing.

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Reporting on retired household income in 2011-12

July 30, 2013 by TIna

Category: Uncategorized

Further exploration of the Office of National Statistics (ONS) latest UK Well-Being Report, published in July 2013, for the 2011/12 year is around retired households.

These are defined as those where the income of retired household members accounts for the majority of the total household gross income and where there is different income and expenditure patterns to non-retired counterparts.

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