News
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How do I prepare for my pension?
How do I prepare for my pension? This is perhaps the biggest of all the questions we regularly hear .... -
Underused, overlooked and unclaimed benefits – Grandparents missing out on NI Credits
Time to talk about unused, unclaimed, often overlooked National Insurance credits again – this tim.... -
How life insurance helps families
The three main worries of parents are money, health and wellness, and a lack of time with the family.... -
Pensions shake-up: what changes are we expecting in 2020?
The pensions landscape is ever-changing and there are several key 2020 pension trends that we want t.... -
How to choose a life insurance policy
With so many types of life insurance on offer, finding a policy that’s right for you and your fami.... -
Pensions FAQ’s
Pensions can be quite an overwhelming subject matter and for person-to-person, pension preferences d.... -
Allowance taper sees a surge in extra taxes for the Public Sector
The Financial Adviser has reported the extra tax being paid by public sector pensions schemes has do.... -
What does my adviser do for me?
Most of us appreciate that if we receive a good service, we must pay a reasonable price for it. Warr.... -
Pension scams: stay safe with Acumen
Pensioners who fell prey to pension scammers lost an average of £91,000 in 2017, with the worst-hit.... -
How Child Benefit affects National Insurance contributions for stay-at-home parents
Are you and your family claiming Child Benefit correctly? If not, you could be missing out on precio.... -
Lancashire IFA Announces Investment Event to Mark Northern Expansion
A Lancashire IFA is hosting a free investment advice event this month to mark its expansion north in.... -
Acumen discusses: unlocking your equity
British homeowners are realising the benefits of equity release in record numbers. The equivalent o.... -
Acumen discusses: top tips for investing
Investments differ from regular savings accounts in that they don’t offer the security of guarant.... -
What it’s like to work at Acumen
A happy workforce is a productive workforce, as they say, and at Acumen we like to truly live by th.... -
A brief history of Acumen Financial Partnership
In 2006, Angela Maher, Managing Director of Acumen Financial Partnership, incorporated a small finan.... -
New Year’s resolutions for financial fitness
Most New Year’s resolutions include some self-care goals. The top three resolutions of 2018, accor.... -
Acumen’s economic forecast for 2019
With the advent of a fresh new year, Acumen looks ahead to make a calculated economic forecast about.... -
Financial advice 120 years in the making
Acumen’s latest exciting venture has seen us acquire a well-established Lancashire firm of financi.... -
Financial planning for the self-employed
According to a recent article by the BBC, self-employed workers now account for roughly 15% of the U.... -
How much money do you need to retire?
It’s the eternal question; ‘how much do I need to retire?’ Well, it’s positive that you’re.... -
Introducing Acumen’s first apprentice
At Acumen, we are always looking to grow our team, expand our collective knowledge base and provide .... -
Do I need a financial adviser?
It is fair to say that most people will require a financial adviser’s services at least once in th.... -
Are you ready for retirement?
With research suggesting that 80% of British adults underestimate their projected life expectancy an.... -
5 ways Acumen is truly independent
At Acumen, we are fiercely independent. Not just in the conventional sense that we aren’t tied to .... -
How Acumen looks after your investments
Acumen currently manages more than £190 million of assets on behalf of our clients. With the best i.... -
How the Autumn Budget 2018 affects financial planning
In his last Budget before Brexit, Chancellor Philip Hammond announced that the "era of austerity is .... -
How to ride the waves of stock market volatility
Recently, we have seen the return of stock market volatility in global markets. Naturally none of us.... -
Making Tax Digital – change is just around the corner!
We are about to witness a huge change in the way that businesses are required to keep their accounti.... -
Investec’s guide to Ethical Investment
From plastics to palm oil, ethical consumerism is booming. The financial services sector has taken n.... -
How Acumen goes the extra mile for our clients
Through the course of our work, Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) are put in a position of privi.... -
Efficient profit extraction in light of new dividend rules
When it comes to extracting profits from your SME company, recent changes to the way dividends are t.... -
What is a cash management service?
Keeping up to date with all the latest bank accounts and fluctuating interest rates is a constant ch.... -
Give your investments an MOT with Acumen
Although we might begrudge the annual routine of taking our cars in for their MOTs, in reality, thos.... -
Why choose a local IFA?
Choosing an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) is an important decision. As well as weighing up the.... -
3 things we learned from the Acumen Client Satisfaction Survey
Thank you to everyone who took part in the inaugural Acumen Client Satisfaction Survey. It was an ex.... -
Pensions Minister urges self-employed pension savings
With just 12% of the current 4.8 million self-employed workers in the UK reportedly saving into a pe.... -
Acumen posts unprecedented 60% growth
A good barometer of success for us is the amount of investment funds that we manage. We review these.... -
Are your parents ready for retirement?
Are you at a stage in life when you’re beginning to seriously consider your pension provision? As .... -
Introducing Tom and Kate
The team at Acumen would like to introduce you to the two newest members of our Acumen family: Tom a.... -
How the Spring Statement could affect you
If Chancellor Phillip Hammond’s Spring Statement passed you by in a snowy haze, then Acumen is her.... -
10 ways to spring clean your finances in 2018
The clocks have sprung forward, temperatures are inching higher, and the UK’s flora and fauna are .... -
Wealthy investors turn to ISAs to top up pension funds
With cuts to pensions tax relief for high earners hitting wealthy investors in the pocket, many are .... -
The government pension crisis
Are you sat down? Good. Because recent figures from the Office for National Statistics have revealed.... -
What is Bitcoin and is cryptocurrency too good to be true?
The last 12 months has seen an unprecedented surge in cryptocurrency's stock and popularity. The dig.... -
10 reasons you’ll love Acumen’s services
We understand that finding a financial adviser you can trust to advise you on all your financial dec.... -
Children’s investments that will grow with your kids
Every parent wants to give their children the best start in life. At Acumen, we believe that investi.... -
Sweet end to the tax year calendar
This year, don't be surprised to find a P60 nestling in your basket of Easter eggs. Because, in a ra.... -
Pension freedoms still causing confusion
Pension freedom withdrawals hit a staggering £6.5 billion in 2017, according to figures from HM Rev.... -
Financial advisers are ‘more important than ever’
The Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) Director of Supervision - Investment, Wholesale and Speciali.... -
What are the 2018 economic predictions from Acumen?
Now that we're well underway with 2018, we thought it was high time for us to make a few educated pr.... -
Money saving tips for 2018
What are the best ways to save money? In this blog, we’ve pulled together our top 11 tips on how t.... -
Equity release mortgages: your questions answered!
Equity release is a booming market. You can take the money you release as a lump sum or, in several .... -
Millennials most likely to trust robo-advisers
Who we trust for financial advice and where we go to get it appears to be changing. It is younger pe.... -
Majority of over-50s underestimate life expectancy
The average life expectancy today is going up and fifty is becoming more like the new thirty than ev.... -
Find a VouchedFor Independent Financial Adviser
An Independent Financial Adviser or IFA may not be someone you ever thought you would need to consul.... -
Employers Expect Flurry of Final Salary Pension Transfers
Workers in Britain are swamping their current and former employers with requests to transfer out of .... -
One in Three Retirees Will Have to Depend on the State Pension
Britain's personal finances have been surveyed by the Financial Conduct Authority and it has been fo.... -
Financial advice made in Lancashire
If you're looking for investment advice and financial planning services in Lancashire, you'll be kee.... -
Is Brexit going to have an impact on your pension?
The UK referendum vote to leave the EU has caused quite the scare amongst future retirees. A recen.... -
How Child Benefits affects your National Insurance Contributions
You may be familiar with child benefits, however are you and your family claiming this correctly? Ev.... -
Cost of consumer goods set to rise
Recently, the rate of inflation has increased at a dramatically higher rate in previous years. As in.... -
Inheritance Tax & Estate Planning Seminar
After the success of last year’s event, we are delighted to invite you to our Inheritance Tax / Es.... -
Acumen introduces financial planning executive Jo Wilden
Here, Acumen Financial introduces our latest recruit, Jo Wilden. A financial planning executive with.... -
10 Reasons to choose Acumen as your financial adviser
For important life decisions, financial advisers are a necessity. However, choosing a financial advi.... -
Britons born in 1980s half as wealthy as predecessors
According to recent figures, Britons born in the 1980s now have half the wealth of those born 10 yea.... -
A Guide to Financial Planning in 2017
For most, the start of the New Year brings resolutions and a common promise for many is to achieve a.... -
Acumen’s 5 Economic Predictions for 2017
Undeniably, 2016 shocked the world. From Britain choosing to leave the EU and America voting Trump a.... -
How to be a mum and still get a decent pension
According to a study, those who give up work to look after family are at most risk of not saving for.... -
Factors to consider when choosing Life Insurance
Life insurance underpins good financial planning. It ensures that, should the worst happen, the righ.... -
Why it might pay off to invest in Income Protection
Every year, close to a million people find themselves unable to work due to injury or illness. Here,.... -
Acumen’s guide to Critical Illness Cover
According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), every year 1 million workers in the UK unexp.... -
Mortgage approvals fall as Brexit vote cools housing market
Soon after the EU referendum result, uncertainty engulfed the UK. With no way of knowing what the fu.... -
Home Grown Talent – Alex Dunk
Alex Dunk is an Independent Financial Advisor here at Acumen Financial Partnership. After graduating.... -
4 ways to finance care at home
With an ageing UK population, the time will eventually come for all of us to consider how we will pa.... -
Britain’s power of attorney crisis
A recent investigation by Money Mail has found that some people were unhappy with the service they r.... -
Frequently Asked Questions about Lasting Powers of Attorney
It may surprise you to hear that nobody has the automatic right to make critical decisions about you.... -
Growing number of workers saving through company pension schemes
Over six million workers are deciding to save for retirement through the Government-backed auto-enro.... -
Shopping around is vital for your pension
Recent research, carried out by Citizens Advice, has found that a worrying number of people are not .... -
Be a ScamSmart investor with financial advice from Acumen
Over £1.2 billion a year is lost to fake investments. Investment scams can be difficult to identify.... -
Pension Freedom Users Lose Up to 10% of Retirement Pot in Provider’s Charges
According to Citizens Advice, some pension freedom users have lost up to 10% of their retirement pot.... -
10 essential tips if you want to retire early
Retirement offers a world of newfound opportunities to travel the world, see new places or achieve g.... -
Insurer calls for compulsory financial guidance at retirement age
Last year’s pension reforms gave retirees unprecedented pension freedoms. However, not enough is b.... -
Have we reached the age of no retirement?
The idea of leaving work for good in your 60s to live off a pension made sense in an era when we wer.... -
Pension freedoms a year on
It is just over a year since the pension freedoms came into effect. So it seems a good time to take .... -
Financial planning for ‘peak earners’
In 2009 peak income occurred between the ages of 40-55. Twenty years ago, people reached their peak .... -
How can a financial adviser add value to your financial decisions?
How do you ensure great results when you want a job done right? You hire a professional to get the b.... -
Summer Investment Event Round-Up
For those of you who missed our June summer investment event, here is a recap of how the day went d.... -
How will Brexit affect my pension
Now that the outcome of the Brexit vote is known and slowly but surely we are on the way out of the .... -
Acumen are proud sponsors of ‘Proms in the Park’
Acumen Financial are proud to be sponsoring such a talented and dedicated group of musicians. The ho.... -
Will Brexit affect my investments?
Not for the first time the pollsters got it wrong – and this time the bookies did too. The shockwa.... -
Acumen’s Summer Investment Event
We will be delighted if you can join us at Acumen’s Summer Investment Event on Wednesday 15 June .... -
Acumen in the top 250 UK IFAs
As of 8 April 2016, our very own Angela Maher was officially installed into the VouchedFor top 250 .... -
Spring up the property ladder with mortgage advice from Acumen
Are you looking to buy a house this spring? Before you start attending open houses and planning how .... -
Equity release schemes grow in popularity
The equity release sector is booming in popularity, with the latest research from the Equity Release.... -
Three quarters of Brits fear they’ll never own their own home
As house prices continue to rise, three-quarters of people in the UK admit to worrying that home own.... -
One in five mortgage holders would have to curb spending if interest rates rise
A report has shown that one in five mortgage holders would be forced to make spending cutbacks if in.... -
Top 10 tips on making the most of the 2016 Budget
Following on from our recent summary, entitled ‘How the budget will affect you’, we have complie.... -
Don’t sugar coat it Mr Osborne – how the budget will really affect you!
We have compiled this summary of Acumen Financial’s thoughts on how the Budget may affect you, yo.... -
Acumen are recruiting – Trainee Financial Planning Coordinator
Acumen Financial Partnership Ltd is a growing IFA company serving clients predominantly across the N.... -
HSBC study reveals unrealistic pension dreams
Nearly half of all people who would like to retire in the next five years are unable to make their d.... -
Personal Savings Allowance (PSA) heralds greater saver freedom
You might not know it yet but starting in April your savings prospects are about to look a lot rosie.... -
Over a quarter of UK adults have “no plans” for retirement
A staggering 27% of people in the UK have made “no plans” for their retirement income, according.... -
Protecting your investments through the stock market uncertainty
The combination of stock market volatility, slowing growth in China, falling commodity prices and ne.... -
Petition against changes to state pension age for women reaches 100,000 signature milestone
Campaigners against Government plans to increase the state pension age for women have recorded a min.... -
What is equity release and is it for you?
Around 270,000 households have benefitted from equity release over the last 20 years, raising more t.... -
Equity release helps Audrey ease her money worries
More and more retirees are considering equity release as an option to boost their retirement standar.... -
How does equity release work?
Applying for an equity release plan is a straightforward process, one that Acumen can help you with .... -
Acumen Winter Newsletter – Financial planning: Get ready for 2016
This is certainly the time of year to be thinking about the year ahead in terms of financial plannin.... -
Pensions and tax planning for high earners
While the government has hit the highest earners in the pocket, for those who fall into this bracket.... -
What are robo-advisers and can they ever replace IFAs?
While it might sound like a plot line from a bad science fiction movie, robo-advisers could be about.... -
Finding the right life insurance policy for you
Life and health insurance protection underpins most good financial planning and these common types o.... -
Life insurance: What is it and why is it important?
We all know life insurance is probably a good thing to have but how many of us actually really under.... -
New online tool helps to identify fraudster ‘advisers’
Good news for savers as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) launches a new online register that he.... -
Summer Budget: What the changes mean to you
It’s certainly been a busy year for the government with a general election and two Budgets to deli.... -
New dividend tax rules
These new rules come into effect on 6 April 2016 and are already causing confusion so we’ve prepar.... -
Are women better drivers than men?
A survey conducted by Privilege Insurance found that only 28% of women considered themselves better .... -
China syndrome brings summertime blues for markets
After a run of heavy falls on global stock markets, Brewin Dolphin’s Head of Research Guy Foster l.... -
Why you should always speak to an IFA before investing money
As part of Scams Awareness Month, Acumen is warning savers and retirees to seek out professional fin.... -
How the new dividend tax rules could hamper wealthy pensioners and investors
Acumen gives you an overview of the changing dividend tax rules and how they could hamper wealthy re.... -
Financial planning advice essentials
Some interesting figures have emerged recently from Ipsos Mori and King's College London suggesting .... -
Can I cash in my pension? Acumen explains all
The simple answer is yes! Since April, retirees have enjoyed more choice and flexibility than ever b.... -
How Acumen can help your retirement planning
There comes a time when you stop working for your money and put your money to work for you. The deci.... -
Helping your pension forecast: annuities and pension income drawdown explained
As part of our series of blogs about pensions and retirement, Acumen helps to equip you with all the.... -
Things to consider when planning for retirement
As you draw nearer to retirement age, you may well be dreaming of sipping cocktails in some sunny, t.... -
Calls for compulsory retirement advice as thousands of savers are locked out of the new pension freedoms
In a bizarre twist in the new pensions freedom reforms, savers in line for above-average payouts are.... -
The first Conservative Budget since 1996
We’ve been waiting for this Budget with bated breath since the Conservatives won the election in M.... -
A summary of Greece’s financial situation
The situation in Greece dominates the news channels and financial pages. With so much information to.... -
Acumen’s talent pool deepens with arrival of experienced new adviser
We're delighted to introduce you to Jenny Jones, the newest member of Acumen's rapidly expanding tea.... -
British household debt rises as more than half of adults admit to failing to seek financial advice
Can it be a coincidence that UK families are on course to accrue the highest levels of unsecured deb.... -
Ensuring pensioners are on track to make the most of their growing retirement wealth
With new research by Key Retirement suggesting that pensioner property wealth has rocketed by more t.... -
Protecting society’s most vulnerable
Recent figures from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) suggest that vulnerable consumers seeking .... -
Acumen’s growing wealth of talent
Say hello to Julie Cranny, Acumen's newest recruit! Julie is an expert in all things Financial Plann.... -
Lasting Powers of Attorney Explained
Putting plans in place for life's little surprises, to protect your future welfare and finances, can.... -
Investing in your children’s future
Several financial products enable parents and carers to invest tax efficiently for children. In this.... -
A matter of trust: children’s trust funds
If you are planning to set aside money for the long term future benefit of your children, you may wa.... -
Spring cleaning your finances – we all need a plan.
Easter is just a few days away, the clocks have all sprung forward and the world is a fresher and gr.... -
An overview of the key points of the 2015 Budget.
With the General Election a less than 40 days away now and the main party leaders Cameron and Miliba.... -
Government allows savers to sell annuities
With the recent welcome announcement that savers will be allowed to sell their annuities as of next .... -
Acumen is moving offices
We are delighted to announce that due to our continuing growth and success of the business we will b.... -
Acumen welcomes the FCA’s stricter pension transfer advice rules
Acumen has welcomed news of the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) plans to strengthen rules on pen.... -
Acumen supports local football teams
Acumen is proud to play a part in the development of local junior football by supporting Southport F.... -
Key changes to defined contribution pensions under the Pensions Act
The Chancellor’s pension reforms focus on money purchase pension arrangements, sometimes called de.... -
Pensioner fraud highlights need for IFA advice
Shocking new research, that suggests that nearly one in ten pensioners have been victims of fraud in.... -
The changing retirement landscape
The 2014 Budget proposals have been described by some retirement planning experts as a pensions revo.... -
Proposed legislation could complicate ISA inheritance
Inheriting tax free ISAs from your spouse could be about to become a little more complicated if new .... -
Get some Acumen for financial planning
With the advent of a new year, you may be among the many people resolving to find yourself a trusted.... -
Lump sums for Lamborghinis? Pension minister’s plans could revolutionise retirement
Pensions Minister, Steve Webb, has floated the idea of letting pensioners cash in their pension savi.... -
Get your finances in order for 2015
If one of your New Year resolutions is to get your finances in order for 2015 then you're going to n.... -
A Lesson in Teachers’ Pensions
Teachers give years of dedicated service to the education system and are rightly rewarded with an at.... -
Top Tips to consider when choosing an IFA
When it comes to making life-changing financial decisions, seeking the services of an Independent Fi.... -
What is the UK State Pension Age?
With recent Government changes to the State Pension age, and the amount British workers are likely t.... -
Major announcements in the 2014 Autumn Statement
We have pleasure in sharing our summary of the key announcements in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statem.... -
What is Life Insurance and why do I need it?
Life Insurance, otherwise known as Life Assurance or Term Assurance is a great way to protect your s.... -
What is a SIPP and how are they different to normal pensions?
What is a SIPP? A SIPP is self-invested personal pension, which is a special form of personal pensi.... -
What is a SSAS and how are they different to a SIPP?
What is a SSAS? SSAS stands for small self-administered scheme. A SSAS is a special form of occupat.... -
A day in the life with Acumen’s Director – planning for your financial future
Have you ever wondered what an IFA does within a working day? Acumen Financial Partnership Direct.... -
Acumen’s MD Angela Maher talks Pensions to the Liverpool Echo
Angela Maher, Acumen Financial Partnerships Managing Director recently featured in the Liverpool Ech.... -
Acumen’s MD achieves Top Rated IFA in the Liverpool area
Angela Maher of Acumen Financial Partnership has been awarded one of the top rated scores with the o.... -
Pensions – the current pension tax is to be scrapped
Clients have always complained that they were not allowed to pass their pension funds on to their fa.... -
Acumen offer free money advice at their Macmillan ‘Money Morning’
Acumen Financial Partnership have come together with leading Southport Accountants Kirkwood Wilson t.... -
Angela has been nominated as “Best Financial Advisor”
We are delighted to advise that Angela Maher, managing director of Acumen Financial Partnership, has.... -
Angela offers pension advice on BBC Merseyside
Angela Maher, Managing Director of Acumen Financial appeared live on the popular phone in show on BB.... -
My Retirement income is in my property, do I still need a pension?
In discussions with Clients, the team at Acumen regularly get asked "My money's in my property, do I.... -
Planning for Retirement: Is a pension the only way to save for retirement?
Acumen is regularly asked for advice about the best way to plan for retirement and whether pensions .... -
Changes to the UK State Pension system
There has been a lot of newspaper inches devoted to the new state pension announced by the Coalition.... -
Good news for retired clients as an increase in Pension Drawdown limits is announced
I often read newspaper articles or see items from the likes of Robert Peston and experience a sinkin.... -
Good news for investors…and increasing numbers of financial planning clients turn to Acumen for advice.
News from the US that the Federal Reserve has linked interest rates to the unemployment rate is unpr.... -
New Child Benefit Rules
Child benefit is currently a universal benefit. It is worth £20.30 a week for the first child, then.... -
More Equality on Pension Benefits
The European ruling back in March 2011 determined that when it comes to assessing gender risk factor.... -
Slam Dunk! Acumen welcomes a new member to the team
After a lengthy search for the right candidate, Acumen is delighted to welcome on board Alex Dun.... -
A window of opportunity
Fixed premium policies that are already in place when the ruling comes in are unlikely to see a pric.... -
Equality Costs! – Life cover costs likely to increase for women
Currently life insurance premiums for women are less than for men, as statistically, women tend to l....