With the funding of State pensions becoming more and more uncertain, planning for the long term is as important as ever and accumulating funds via a pension remains a highly tax efficient way of saving for retirement.

We help through the accumulation phase as well as looking at the most appropriate way to receive an income from your pension fund when the time comes. Very often individuals manage to accumulate various pension pots through their working life and we are able to review existing arrangements and ensure they are organised in a way that is cost effective and have the potential for real capital growth during the time the funds are invested.

From ensuring your will is up to date to helping you make difficult decisions about how your assets will be distributed after death are some of the most important aspects of estate planning.

We work with you to ensure the appropriate arrangements are in place in the event of your death or loss of mental capacity. We also determine the amount of any potential inheritance liability you may have and suggest ways in which this can be mitigated – this could include making gifts or establishing a trust arrangement. Some people do not mind the thought of the Government taking a portion of their estate on death and others feel that is the last thing they want. We will work with you to determine what you want to happen when you die and help you put the appropriate arrangements in place.

Personal tax planning is something we consider in all of our recommendations. For example, this might include planning for inheritance tax mitigation, using investments where tax treatment is favourable or maximising use of tax reliefs. This will vary depending on individual circumstances but will always be a consideration in any advice we may give you.

In addition, Piercefield Oliver partners with a Chartered Accountant and refers clients who do not wish to complete their own tax returns – either because they do not feel confident in doing so or just wish to delegate the task. When asked to do so, we work with you and the Accountant to help provide the information required to enable the completion of your tax return.