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It’s now more important than ever for people over 50 to plan their finances for the future – a much longer future than may have been anticipated earlier in life.

You may not be able to rely on the state pension to ensure you live comfortably and it is important to get the right advice you can trust. Age Concern is working with The Co-operative Independent Financial Advisers to help our customers.

• You can attend one of the many nationwide seminars hosted by Age Concern and the Co-operative Independent Financial Advisers, where you can hear from a financial expert and ask questions about your finances
• You can book an individual appointment with a financial adviser at a date and time to suit you and in the comfort of your own home

What is included in the seminar?

The Co-operative Independent Financial Advisers will talk to you about the following subjects:

• Inheritance tax planning
• Long-term care
• Savings
• Investments  (and how to protect them in today's volatile market)

Why plan for retirement

In the past people could generally rely on their state pension to ensure they could live comfortably. But that is no longer true. You may be part of a company pension scheme, but you should start planning for your retirement now. The longer you put it off, the harder it will be to put the money aside. That is why it is important to speak to a financial adviser as soon as possible.

Legislation in 2006 has made planning for a pension easier and is known as "Pensions Simplification"

• You can pay up to £225,000 per year into your pension each year up to a total of £1.6 million.(2007/2008)
• You can claim tax relief on your pension contributions, from £3,600 to 100% of your earnings.

Even if you are contributing to a pension scheme, it is still worth exploring your options. You may want a steady inome from your pension, or a lump sum when you retire and a smaller income after that.

Post-retirement financial advice

By the time you reach retirement, you should have built up a substantial pension that will help you live comfortably, but you still need to think about the future. That is where The Co-operative Independent Financial Advisers can help you. How your pension pays out could make a big difference to the way you live during retirement.

You may also want to plan what to leave your loved ones after you've gone. This could involve opening a savings account or allocating money into investments or an annual gift plan.

Planning for the unexpected may also be a good idea. Critical illness cover could ensure you get the proper care you need if you become ill and Life Insurance cover could make sure your partner received financial help to live on after your death.

Your financial adviser can talk you through these and other areas.

Why we have chosen to work with The Co-operative Independent Financial Advisers

Age Concern have chosen to work with The Co-operative Independent Financial Advisers because they offer:

• A nationwide network of highly trained experts
• Long established experience in advising people over 50
• Long-term relationships with customers working to ensure the right financial choices for the future
• Whole of market advice. They are not tied to any one company or product.
• Employees who do not work on commission on the products they sell you
• An excellent customer service record. A recent survey indicated that 97% of their customers felt their expectations had been exceeded

How to book

• To book a place at a seminar or to make an appointment for Independent Financial Advice call 0845 685 1077. (Please quote ref : ALL 721)
  
  Lines are open 8am - 7pm 7 days a week
  
• Visit your local trading Age Concern
  

Age Concern Enterprises Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority registered in England and Wales No.3156159. Registerd Office: Astral House, 1268 London Road, SW16 4ER.

The Co-operative Independent Financial Advisers is a brand name of Co-operative Bank Financial Advisers Ltd. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered Office: PO Box 101, 1 Balloon Street, Manchester M60 4EP, England. Registered Number 718903. A subsidiary company of The Co-operative Bank plc.

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