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Royal Skandia, part of Skandia International, the offshore business of Old Mutual plc, today announces an exclusive new fee structure agreed with the Concept Group for the co-branded Aurora Quantum QROPS. The new fee structure is aimed at clients with transfer values of less than £75,000 at which level many current QROPS fee structures may be prohibitive.

The latest 15 year Gilt Yield figure, released on 14^th October, shows that following the Government’s latest round of quantitative easing, Gilt Yields remain at historically low levels. People entering into income withdrawal today could expect a fall of up to a quarter of their annual income compared to just six months ago.

Independent financial advisers believe a massive 70%* of their customers currently have a pension funding gap, according to new research conducted by Skandia, the investment platform. This is where customers have not saved enough money to reach their desired level of income in retirement. Advisers believe customers would need to pay on average 56% more to their current pension contribution to fund this pension gap.

UK millionaires seek investment balance in face of economic instability

In a recent Skandia survey, 84% of advisers did not think the relabeling of the IMA sectors from Active, Balanced and Cautious to A, B and C would help consumer understanding of the level of risk they are taking. The recent IMA announcement that they are delaying the proposed changes to the IMA sectors, and carrying out more work on this, is hopefully a sign that an improved solution can be found.

Over 90% of independent financial advisers believe that funds labelled ‘cautious’ could be misleading to consumers according to new research carried out by Skandia, the investment specialist. The research suggests that the word ‘cautious’ may be misleading consumers into believing their investment is safe, yet the reality is often very different. In today’s turbulent market, consumers need to beware of the hidden risk that lies within their investments.

Investment into cash and money market funds more than doubled in the third quarter of the year as investors sought a safe haven from stock market volatility, according to the latest investment trends report from Skandia, the investment platform.

Invesco Perpetual is the clear favourite fund group amongst independent financial advisers for customers looking to generate income from their investments, according to new research from Skandia*, the investment platform. Skandia asked financial advisers if they had a favourite fund when constructing an income portfolio for their customers. Nearly half (45%) of those who named a fund, named an Invesco Perpetual fund.

Royal Skandia Trust Company, the IOM based professional trustee and part of Skandia International, extends its range of Inheritance Tax solutions by launching an Enhanced Loan Trust.

Anyone with a pension pot of around £200,000 or more needs to urgently review their retirement plans to assess whether they are in danger of exceeding the lifetime allowance which is due to reduce from £1.8 million to £1.5 million in April next year.