2020 - Mearns & Company

The importance of diversification

The pandemic has highlighted the value of holding a well-diversified portfolio of investments. The Covid-19 pandemic has already taught us a great deal, from government

Should you leave DIY to the experts?

It seems like only yesterday that we emerged from our lockdown bunkers ready to face the world again. Some of us were sporting once-in-a-lifetime lockdown

Women’s state pension shortfall

More women should ask the Department for Work and Pensions to check their state pensions, according to former pensions minister Sir Steve Webb. Research from

ESG investment comes into its own

Taking a more principled approach to investing doesn’t mean you necessarily have to sacrifice returns. This year has been a rollercoaster ride for investors, with

Lockdown savings boost

A surprising number of people have picked up the savings habit in recent months as lockdown has curtailed opportunities to spend. How can this unexpected

Meet Neil Lindsay

Neil Lindsay, Head of Paraplanning at Mearns & Company, answers some questions about his career to date and life in general. What was your route

Summer Investment Forum 2020

On Thursday 30th July, we were delighted to host our online Summer Investment Forum. The subject of the forum was sustainable investing, and the presentation

National Savings hold off on rate cuts

National Savings & Investments (NS&I) has cancelled planned rate cuts on a number of its variable rate accounts, including its popular Premium Bonds, to help

Tax rises on the way?

The fallout from Covid-19 has created a large bill for the Government…which ultimately means the taxpayer. When the Chancellor launched the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme,

The kids are alright…

The first Child Trust Funds (CTFs) are due to mature this September, giving those who turn 18 in that month access to a useful nest

Can you afford to leave protection to chance?

The State benefit system has come under more intense scrutiny during the coronavirus pandemic, highlighting some of the most serious gaps. There is nothing quite

Time to review your drawdown plans

Many people may need to reduce the income they are taking from their drawdown pension funds in light of recent falls in the value of

Planning towards your century

The extraordinary fundraising achievements of the 100 year old Captain Tom Moore have highlighted both how long some of us will continue to lead active

Meet Claire McDowell

Claire McDowell, Continuous Improvement Manager at Mearns & Company, answers some questions about her career to date and life in general. What was your route

4 characteristics of a good financial plan

There is a difference between having a financial plan and having a good financial plan. A good plan has a better chance of achieving the

Can you grant new wills and powers of attorney in lockdown?

Guest blog by Graeme Thomson of Balfour+Manson LLP Six months ago no one would have predicted the worldwide health crisis that we are currently facing;

National Living Wage versus the new State Pension

One is growing much faster than the other… The new State Pension has failed to keep up with the National Living Wage in the years

Too generous by half?

Younger family members are increasingly supported by generous grandparents, but intergenerational gifting needs to take potential benefits, and pitfalls, into account. A third of millennial

Overcoming the gender pensions gap

Women are saving more than ever into pensions, but they still lag behind men in retirement savings. The good news is that the proportion of

Budget 2020 – a Budget for strange days

The first Budget of 2020 may be the most unusual for years. The UK somehow survived 2019 without a Budget. Finally, on 11 March the

Lessons from five years of pension flexibility

It’s been five years since pension holders were given the freedom to draw directly from certain pension savings. What have we learned that can help

Changes to the Tapered Annual Allowance 2020/21

In the past few years there have been significant restrictions on the level of contributions that high earners can pay to their pension without incurring

Covid-19 and Employee Benefits

At Mearns & Company, we understand the disruption that the outbreak of COVID-19 has caused to everyone’s daily lives. We hope everyone is staying safe

What is sustainable investing? Can it be an alternative to ethical investing?

As individuals, it may seem that our own savings each year can’t make much of a positive difference to our environment or society. However, if

Are Employee Ownership Trusts the answer to the succession crisis?

Guest blog by Ewan Regan, Senior Associate, Anderson Strathern There is one area of the Scottish economy that is quietly booming. Amidst talk of the

What to ask when looking for a financial adviser

If you are thinking of working with a financial adviser, it is important that you find an adviser that you are comfortable with and trust

Pension allowance tax traps?

Increasing numbers of people are facing substantial tax penalties on their pensions, sometimes unexpectedly. Are you at risk of an unwelcome surprise? The tax and

From the inside – Mearns & Company: a Non-Exec perspective

A year after being appointed Non-Executive Director at Mearns & Company, I thought it would be a great time to reflect on my experience. Having

Reversals of fortune – the value vs income challenge

Where can you find value in today’s investment markets? These are strange times in the investment markets. The looking glass world of negative interest rates

“It won’t happen to me” – protecting your income

The cornerstone of good financial planning is ensuring you have sufficient income to meet essential bills. For most of us, this will be covered by

Still holding a cash ISA?

Does a cash ISA still make sense? The most recent ISA statistics from HMRC show that in April 2018 over £270m was invested in cash

Five ways to develop better spending habits

The festive season is a time of the year which is even more focused on spending than usual, but there are a few habits you

Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Employer of the Year 2020 Finalist

We were delighted to be shortlisted for Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce’s Employer of the Year Award 2020

Mearns & Company celebrates 25 years

Mearns & Company is celebrating 25 years of excellence with a clear vision for the future. Established by Margaret Mearns in 1994 on the principles

Off payroll working in the private sector – IR35

Guest blog by Caroline Colliston of DWF LLP Do you provide your services or engage with consultants via a personal service company? This type of

News - Year: 2020