Planning your financial future – the top 10 mistakes you want to avoid

Too many people bury their heads in the sand when it comes to planning for their financial future so we need to face some facts.

The reality is that most people are facing a significant shortfall in their retirement income.

According to recent figures, the average UK pension pot totals just £50,000 and the average pension income is £500 a week. That income will not just be from the pensions, but from other sources such as the state pension, personal investments or property.

The average UK resident has savings of just £17,365 and 34% have no savings or less than £1,000. Equivalent figures are not available for GCC expats but given that our incomes are higher than UK averages I would hope it is rather more. That said, I all too frequently come across people without any savings or investments.

In this article I  look at some of the mistakes you want to avoid and issues that you really cannot afford to ignore.

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Time to update that QROPS?

If you are looking at this wondering what on earth I am on about, a QROPS is a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme – an overseas pension arrangement into which existing UK pension plans were transferred. A strange acronym but there will be many UAE residents who have one.

If you have one you need to read this article as there may be a better, more suitable, and cheaper option for you.

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UK National Insurance payments & the State Pension – what expats need to know

The rules regarding entitlement to the UK State Pension have just changed so if you are not fully aware of the changes, and how they might affect you, and studies show that few people are, you need to read on.

EDIT – March 2025

This information has been superseded so please email me for copy of the fact sheet with all the latest information and links. 

Email me at keren@holbornassets.com

 

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