UK General Election 2015

[redsimon]

A stepped rate of Inheritance Tax, say starting at 30% for the smallest estates rising to a cap of 75% on the very richest would presumably be a radical socialist agenda? maybe even a top rate of 60% would be the politics of envy?









All of the above existed under the government of Margaret Thatcher (Top rate 75%  until 1984, 60% until 1988). Can't remember her being known as a radical socialist

[RickBFA]

Fancy letting people keep their own pension funds instead of taxing them at 55% or letting big insurers keep funds through annuities - what a disgrace.

They are dead, they aren't keeping anything.  The reform doesn't affect anyone with an annuity.  There was even someone commenting that he thought it was great that his wife would be able to pass on her NHS pension.  The 55% tax charge only applied to someone over 75 with invested funds, there will still be a 45% tax charge if the funds are passed on to beneficiaries as cash.  Oafborne has just added an option that beneficiaries can draw from the fund, but no one has any idea how this will work in practice, just like his "free retirement advice" promise.

I know the new rules don't apply to people with existing annuities in payment.

I was referring to people with existing pension pots and what they will do with them in future. I like the "they are dead" line though.

I understand the pension rules very well.

The current tax charge of 55% applies to anyone in drawdown currently. The big difference going forward will be removing this charge for anyone who dies under 75, so any "crystallised" pot for an individual under 75 will not be taxed on death. As you say, over 75 there will still be death charges.

This does add flexibility and choice for people looking to retire - the real problem is that leaving funds in drawdown contracts involves people still taking investment risk in retirement. If someone is a low risk investor this is a dangerous route to take. In fact under the current regulatory regime, drawdown contracts are viewed by the FCA as higher risk products when IFA's are giving advice on them - if an IFA were to recommend drawdown to a low risk investor they would be deemed as giving highly inappropriate advice.

Whilst annuities are poor value for money, they at least give certainty of payment and remove investment risk.

[TightEnd]

Farewell to the Liberal Democrats, the party that changed British politics

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/iainmartin1/100288738/farewell-liberal-democrats-the-party-that-changed-british-politics/

[Kmac84]

Farewell to the Liberal Democrats, the party that changed British politics

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/iainmartin1/100288738/farewell-liberal-democrats-the-party-that-changed-british-politics/

Topping Up?

[TightEnd]

no room

i intend to bombard myself with anti LD commentary until may to keep the old ticker going

[Doobs]

no room

i intend to bombard myself with anti LD commentary until may to keep the old ticker going

Was going to say, if I had topped up 29 times with Ladbrokes, would have almost 60p on by now.

[redarmi]

Farewell to the Liberal Democrats, the party that changed British politics

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/iainmartin1/100288738/farewell-liberal-democrats-the-party-that-changed-british-politics/

Loved this line from that piece:

 "The impression created was that the Lib Dems were the party for reasonable people who liked to shake their heads sadly."

[sonour]

no room

i intend to bombard myself with anti LD commentary until may to keep the old ticker going

Was going to say, if I had topped up 29 times with Ladbrokes, would have almost 60p on by now.

Maximum in the shops is £550.
Lib Dems under 32.5 seats @ 10/11

[DungBeetle]

Labour refusing to debate English votes on English matters?  Seems a tactical error to say the least.  The Tories will just force a vote before the election and Labour will have to show the electorate they are voting against it.  They are falling into a trap here imo.

[Kmac84]

I am very much in favour of EVFEL.  It's just common sense. 

[George2Loose]

Leadership debate to include farage.

[Kmac84]

Leadership debate to include farage.

Farce, all the media are doing in facilitating and legitimising this arsehole and his party. 

[TightEnd]

"Farce, all the media are doing in facilitating and legitimising this arsehole and his party."  


but the correct decision, and the Greens should be included too

both have MPs, both are showing up in the polls and both should have a democratic voice in these debates

irrespective of whether you agree with their views or not

[Kmac84]

Leadership debate to include farage.

Farce, all the media are doing in facilitating and legitimising this arsehole and his party. 

Leadership debate to include farage.

Farce, all the media are doing in facilitating and legitimising this arsehole and his party. 

but the correct decision, and the Greens should be included too

both have MPs, both are showing up in the polls and both should have a democratic voice in these debates

irrespective of whether you agree with their views or not

Not quite the right decisions until the Greens, SNP, Plaid Cymru are also part of the debate. 

[TightEnd]

well that's slightly different, as they are more single issue parties as far as Westminster are concerned and there are Scottish and Welsh parliaments

but in principle yes, i agree