Tuesday 19 May 2015

Marie Curie - Corporate Sponsorship



Ward Williams Financial Services Ltd is proud to announce that we are now official corporate sponsors of the charity Marie Curie.

We will be working closely with their legacy team and have already arranged a date in September to jointly hold a seminar with them on Inheritance Tax and leaving charitable legacy gifts in Wills.

Marie Curie has recently redesigned their logo and website as well as dropping “Cancer Care” from their title. 

Jane Collins, the charity’s chief executive, said:

“If you’re very close to what we do, you’ll already know that, while most of the people we care for have cancer, others have a whole range of illnesses, including heart or lung disease, dementia or motor neurone disease.

But many people don’t know that, including people who may need our help.

So we’re going to be making it clearer to the public, and to healthcare professionals, that we’re here for people with any terminal illness, including terminal cancer.”

We will look to hold other fund raising events for the charity in the future.

To find out more about Marie Curie and the work they do please visit their website www.mariecurie.org.uk.  If you would like to donate to the charity please click here.

Tuesday 12 May 2015

TPR guidance for small employers with no ‘staff’



The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has updated its guidance on pensions auto enrolment including what businesses need to do when they have no workers.  

If you would like help with auto enrolment please do not hesitate to contact Cliff Pocock at Ward Williams Financial Services Ltd on 01932 830664 or by email on wwfs@wardwilliams.co.uk.

Internet link: TPR guidance

Thursday 7 May 2015

Warning over pension scams



Those approaching retirement are being urged to be aware of a rise in pension scams, as criminals seek new ways to defraud pensioners.

Savers have been urged to be aware of a rise in pension scams, as criminals seek new ways to defraud pensioners. A report produced by Citizens Advice looked at 150 cases where pensioners had fallen victim to fraudsters. The report identified common types of scams which include:

             encouraging pensioners to move their savings into a ‘new’ pension
             fake investment opportunities and
             offering apparently ‘free advice’ and support which actually costs money.

In some cases pensioners are charged a fee for a service that isn’t required, while others are encouraged to part with personal information and bank details, either by email or phone.

Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice said:  

'Scammers see pensioners as a prime target….‘There are many people looking to benefit from the new pension rules, including scammers. Fraudsters can ruin people’s retirement plans by taking a portion or all of a victim’s pension pots.’

The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has recently launched a campaign to alert people to the danger posed by fraudsters.

From 6 April 2015 individuals have more flexibility as to how they use their pension pot, including the option to choose to take all their savings as a cash lump sum. TPR has warned that scammers are exploiting this change by enticing those about to retire with promises of ‘one-off investments‘ or ‘pension loans’ or ‘upfront cash’, most of which are bogus.

Individuals who believe they are being targeted by a pension scam should contact the Pensions Advisory Service on 0300 123 1047. The Financial Conduct Authority’s website also has a list of known scams. Visit scamsmart.fca.org.uk.


For more information please do not hesitate to contact Cliff Pocock at Ward Williams Financial Services Ltd on 01932 830664 or by email on wwfs@wardwilliams.co.uk.