Trafford Houghton

read moreAs financial advisers we provide individuals and businesses with advice on practical and relevant solutions to help them to meet their financial objectives. Some of the key areas we advise on are listed below. Of course, we'll be happy to discuss your own personal situation and goals with you.

read moreThis policy is designed to provide an income in the event the insured individual is unable to work due to ill health. The level of premium will depend upon the amount of benefit and term selected. Most policies cease to pay the benefit once the insured is able to return to work. Income protection policies are usually written to retirement age or 60 if earlier. ASU policies were traditionally sold to accompany mortgages, allowing for a regular income to be paid to the insured should they be unable to work due to ill health, an accident or lose their job.

read moreWhether you are looking at investing in a pension, an investment bond or ISA (Individual Savings Account), you might consider using investment funds. A fund is capital belonging to numerous investors, held in one place and used to collectively purchase securities, while each investor retains ownership and control of his own shares. Buying large numbers of shares or achieving a portfolio of investments may well be beyond most average investors so they effectively club together to increase their purchasing power.

read moreThere are several ways in which you can protect yourself and your family in the event of an untimely death. Most people take out life assurance to provide for their families and alleviate any financial worries at a difficult time. Level Term Assurance pays a lump sum in the event of death during the term of the policy. There is no investment element within a term assurance contract, so at the end of the term there is no maturity value and life cover ends. The benefit is paid tax-free. Premiums are usually monthly and fixed throughout the term.

read moreWhy are we encouraged to save money? From childhood, most of us are told to put away money to save for the future - perhaps for something special; or maybe to be sure that when we really need something we have the funds to acquire it, without taking on debt. People's aims are broadly the same; to provide for future needs, and to protect ourselves against unexpected expenditure, events and inflation. When planning your finances, it is important to distinguish between savings and investments. Savings are generally funds that you set aside that can be accessed relatively quickly.

read morePensions are designed to enable you to save sufficient money during your working life to provide an income stream for you to live comfortably after you have retired. There are many different 'tools' used to save for retirement, the taxation and investment elements of pensions can appear baffling. We specialise in explaining, recommending and monitoring pensions for you. Below are the most common sources of pension income to provide for your retirement. The new State Pension is a regular payment from the government that you can claim if you have reached State Pension Age (SPA) on or after 6 April 2016.

read moreA business may want to protect the key employees within their firm - perhaps the key salesperson, or the IT manager, without whom the business would not function properly. Keyperson / shareholder / partnership protection can provide a fixed sum should the individual be unable to work, or even die. The benefit will be designed to cover the firm's expenses in meeting any emergency costs, recruiting a replacement employee and protecting the future of the business. If a shareholder were to pass away, the firms remaining shareholders or directors may want to purchase the deceased's shares from their estate promptly to maintain control of their business.