Treasury collects £2bn in 12 weeks as IHT receipts continue to soar

Figure breaks down at £22m a day for the government’s coffers A total £2bn was raked in by the government in the form of inheritance tax (IHT) between April and June – £0.2bn more than at this time last year according to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Latest HMRC data today (21 July) confirms the figure for June alone is the highest …

Retirement ProfessionalsTreasury collects £2bn in 12 weeks as IHT receipts continue to soar

HMRC docs threaten ability to inherit pension pots free of income tax

A potential big change made ‘through the back door’ A bundle of complex tax consultations published yesterday contained a potential bombshell for anyone expecting to inherit a pension pot free of income tax, Lane Clark & Peacock (LCP) says. Yesterday (18 July), HM Revenue & Customs launched a consultation on changes to pension taxation that could result in ordinary taxpayers having to …

Retirement ProfessionalsHMRC docs threaten ability to inherit pension pots free of income tax

Inflation falls to 7.9% in June

The core rate of inflation fell by 0.2% to 6.9%. Annual CPI inflation has fallen from 8.7% in April and May to a lower-than-expected 7.9% in June, the latest ONS figures show.  Most economists had predicted a fall in inflation, with an average forecast of 8.2%, according to Reuters.  On a monthly basis, CPI rose by 0.1% in June, compared …

Retirement ProfessionalsInflation falls to 7.9% in June

Hot annuities market brings break-even point average five years closer

Payback period on a benchmark £100,000 annuity today is 14.5 years Current record annuity rate levels have pulled the break-even point for holders closer by five years, latest statistics show.  Canada Life yesterday (26 June) published figures which reconfirm the significant improvement in rates over the last 18 months. These improvements mean the payback period on a £100,000 benchmarked annuity …

Retirement ProfessionalsHot annuities market brings break-even point average five years closer

Bank of England raises interest rates by further 0.5%

Two members preferred to maintain Bank Rate at 4.5%, with no-one choosing to increase by 0.25%. The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee has voted 7-2 to increase Bank Rate by 0.5% to 5.00% – the 13th consecutive rise. Many industry experts had predicted a 0.5% rise after inflation held steady at 8.7% yesterday, higher than predicted, although other commentators had expected …

Retirement ProfessionalsBank of England raises interest rates by further 0.5%

UK inflation holds at 8.7% after two months of falls

Core CPI rose by 7.1% in the 12 months to May, up from 6.8% in April, and the highest rate since March 1992. CPI inflation was unchanged at 8.7% in May, despite two consecutive months of declining and an expected fall to 8.4%, renewing predictions of a 0.5% Base Rate hike at tomorrow’s MPC meeting. The latest ONS statistics show …

Retirement ProfessionalsUK inflation holds at 8.7% after two months of falls