Knowing where to invest a cash lump sum can be a difficult in today’s world. Deciding on which asset class, how much risk and what investment horizon can be overwhelming.
The following are some asset classes for consideration:

• Cash/ Deposit Funds
• Bonds
• Equities/ Mutual funds/ Individual Stocks
• Commodities
• Hedge Funds
• Currency Trading
• Precious Metals
• Property/ Land

To discuss the pro’s and con’s of these and to work out which suits your individual needs please contact us

There are many reasons why people invest in plantations. In many parts of the world, it is a well established asset class which regularly forms part of well diversified portfolios.
Plantation investments offer: An opportunity to diversify an investment portfolio

• Less volatility than traditional assets
• A unique characteristic of plantation forestry is that it functions as both a factory and a warehouse. In other words, timber can be grown and then “stored on the stump.” This gives investors the flexibility of harvesting trees when timber prices are up, and delaying harvests when prices are down. Timber is also a renewable resource that increases in value as trees mature. Consequently, larger diameter trees are disproportionately more valuable than smaller ones. 
• Future income generation from a sound investment - this income can be used for example to provide an income for retirement or to assist in paying for children’s school fees
• An environmentally friendly investment which helps combat climate change by removing CO2 from the atmosphere
• A tax effective investment that can be used as part of an overall tax management strategy

Through Absolute clients can invest in Plantation projects currently in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Asia Pacific.

• Sandalwood plantations in Australia
• Forests and farmlands in Northern England and Scotland.
• Cash crops in Thailand providing income streams from bamboo harvesting and bio feul crops such as Jatropha.

For more information contact us. 

• Supply and Demand Market
• Low risk investment and less volatility compared with other standard investment such as equities.
• Largely Non Correlated to Stock Markets, Property, Gilts or other Asset Classes.
• Tangible asset with Finite production.
• Once a vintage produced it’s never made again.
• Value and Quality increase with age.
• Flexible Investment
• Alternative Asset Class
• Personal Ownership of Asset
• 10-12% Per Annum Quoted Returns
• Income Tax Free
• Capital Gains Tax Free

Through regular disciplined savings you can build a cash lump sum over time. Putting away an affordable amount each month soon builds sizable savings.
These funds can then help with

• Retirement planning
• School fees planning
• Saving for a property deposit
• Paying down a mortgage early
• Building a rainy day/ holiday fund

For more information and to discuss which type of regular plan best suits your needs please contact us

It is often easy to view retirement planning or a pension as simply another financial product that costs you money, takes time to arrange and is not a priority for today. The truth, however, is rather different and the importance of making your own savings and starting to plan for retirement today has never been higher.
Here are some questions that might help you to start thinking about your own retirement planning:
At what age would you like to be in a position stop working?

• How many years away is that?
• What do you want to do when you stop working?
• How long do you have to achieve that goal and what have you done to ensure you can achieve it?
• How will you feel if you don’t achieve this goal, knowing you could have done something about it?

Many people picture themselves retiring in their 50s or early 60s and enjoying exotic holidays and a leisurely lifestyle, but neglect to do anything about it. The earlier you retire, the larger your pension fund will have to be in order to pay you an adequate income to fund your desired standard of living.

‘QROPS’ stands for Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme. It is a type of pension fund that most people with a UK pension scheme who are leaving the UK can transfer their pension pot into, without incurring a charge to UK income tax.

Benefits of a Qualifying recognized Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS)

• No requirement to purchase an annuity at any time.  More flexible than Alternatively Secured Pension (ASP) which is the only option part from annuity purchase after age 75 in the UK.
• Remove pension pot from UK control and avoid suffering UK tax or need to complete double taxation claims when drawing a pension overseas from the UK.
• Ability to leave remaining funds to heirs.  If you purchase an annuity the income dies with you.  If you opt for ASP then possible reduction of 82% of the remaining pension fund.
• Currency flexibility.  Ability to pay income in local currency.
• QROPS members no longer subject to Lifetime Allowance Charge.

Why Use Guernsey as a QROPS Centre?

• No Guernsey tax deducted on income.
• No Guernsey tax deducted on death.  Remaining funds may be used to provide a spouse or dependants pension or paid out to nominated beneficiary or Member’s estate.
• No Guernsey Tax deducted on payment of 25% Pension Commencement Lump Sum.  However, this is under review and is very likely to increase to 30% in the near future.  However, 5 year rule would apply.
• Loan facility available of up to 25% of fund value, on commercial terms.  This is only available after being non UK resident for 5 complete tax years and must be repaid before benefits commence.
• Flexible income options, subject to Member’s circumstances.  Only available after being non-UK resident for more than 5 complete UK tax years.
• Safe, prudent jurisdiction pro-active in dealings with HMRC.
• Appears on OECD “White List”
• Rated by S & P AAA as an offshore centre

Many people think that a Will isn't important but they couldn't be more wrong!.
Letters that have been signed but not witnessed count for nothing, verbal instructions are only valid if they are given by a soldier on the battlefield!
A Will is the instrument by which money, real estate, and personal property are distributed after your death. Common Law, the system upon which some countries base their Laws, allows each of us to say freely to whom our possessions are given when we no longer need them.
In the absence of a Will that fulfills the legal requirements of clarity, pristine condition and correct attestation (signing and witnessing), the Rules of Intestacy are brought to bear. These are imposed by the government and vary from country to country and, indeed, from state to state in places like Australia and the USA and Canada. This process can delay payment of cash and other assets by up to months or even years.
The government does not allow you to depart from this life leaving loose ends, make sure you have your estate in order.
For more info please contact us