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Clltheroe Advertiser ATImes, Thursday, June 3,2010 VI ■' 10 YOUR MONEY


•• www.cntheroeadvortlser.co.uk i f l local knowledge financial strength trusted name I ' }i


. retirement, so it’s important to think . about how to fund those extra decades. On Apnl 6, the State Pension changed.


long-term... S


t ’s great we ’re living ionger. But those o f us reaching State Pension age could spend on average 20 years in


]


:Many more of us will now qualify for what’s known as the full basic State Pension when we retire. This is currently set at


.approximately £95 a week,-and as always, what you get will depend on your number of qualifying years of National Insurance contributions. :: Now, if you reach State Pension'age on or


• after April 6 ,2 0 10 , you’ll only need 30 qualifying years, significantly less than the v


, former 44 required for men and 39 for ■ women. “ : Another major change is the age women r


can claim their State Pension. It will increase gradually so that by April 6 ,2 0 20 , it will be 65 for both men and women. You can check your State Pension age online at


'Wvw.direct.gov.uk/betterfuture ' Here, Jasmine explains the full impact of these changes.


The times they are a-changing and so is the State Pension. So how does this' affect you? We ask pensions expert JASMINE BIRTLES


Q Who benefits from the changes? A “Women and carers are the biggest; ■ winners. Because of these changes, nine out of 10 women will be able to build a full basic State Pension, and for the first time carers will be able to build up the full amount through credits alone.” ;


Q But doesn’t that mean women will have to retire later?


- . A “While women may need to wait longer to


' ^ # gg^ j^gjj. pension, they are now much more likely to get the full amount. •:


‘


r “Many women just aren’t ready to retire at 60. In fact, some research points to the fact that work is actually good for your health and wellbeing in laterlife.” . :


.. 'f


W : Q With life expectancy on the increase, is a future financial shortfall likely?


A “As the population ages, it’s vital that everyone starts to think about their own financial future. While it’s impossible to predict what might happen in years to come, we can make sure we’re prepared for our own future so we do not get caught out.”


iTying the knot? Don’t let your dream day turn Into a financial nightmare. LUCY CORRY reveals how to do it without drowning in debt


GUARANTEED ilf^^oyer’ for UK II a-Evij


harder to come by the older you get. You may think


cash lump sum for your family


The 50 Plus plan from LV= provides ‘whole of life’ cover


That’s where the 50 Plus plan comes in.


Marsden Building Society has teamed up with LV= ’ to promote their 50 Plus .


FOR YOUR FREE INFORMATION PACK AND TO CLAIM YOUR! ; FREE PARKER PEN CALL LV= TODAY ON;,


, plan.'The plan is designed exclusively for UK residents aged between 50 and 80 and pays out a guaranteed cash ‘ lump sum when you’re no . ■ longer around.


'


< which means exactly that. As long as you continue to pay your premiums you're covered - for the rest of your life. Your family will receive a guaranteed


: cash lump sum when you die to help towards the cost of things like outstanding bills or funeral expenses. Because your cover ■ ‘ IS fixed when your plan starts' i and doesn’t change,- it will buy v- ■


; less in the future. If you pass : ■ away within the first 12 months . ' you may only get back the premiums you’ve paid.


-


^ Your premiums are fixed


Monthly premiums start from ■' ; £5 a month -


that’s less than 17p a day. What’s more you can


rest assured that your premium - Will never rise.


.Tofind your local.branch'jvisit.vyww.themarsdenico.uk^yi LIVERPOOL ^ V IC TO R IA


Marsden Building Society acts as an Introducerto the Liverpool Victoria group of companies for investments, protection and pensions. Marsden Building Socle^ is authorised and regulated by the Financial Servicpc; Aiith h. ' i* ' ' ' f. 6-20 Russell Street, Nelson, Uncashire BB9 7NJ. LV= and Liverpool Victoria are registered trade marks of Liverpool Victoria friendly Society (LVFS) and LV= and LV=LiverpooI Victoria a'e trading stvies of Uvernoor Virto - a Authonty, register number 110035. LVFS is a member of the ABi,AFS, and ILAG. Registered address: County Gates, Bournemouth, BH12NF. Tel; 01202 292333. -


^ * ■ " - . . . ' • ' ' number 206050. Registered LVFS is authonsed and regulated by the Rnancial Services


Office: Marsden Building Society,/ 21014752 05/10


_ .. • in association with


<^YouWiLLbe accepted


: We’ll guarantee to accept you as long as you’re a UK resident aged 50-80 v/hen you , apply. There’s no need for a


• medical and no awkward health questions to answer. -


Stop paying premiums at age 90


With the 50 Plus plan you won’t have to pay another penny from-


; the plan anniversary on or after ■ your 90th birthday - but your cover will still continue for life. If you choose to stop paying


'your premiums at any other ■ time, you won’t get any money'


, back and your cover will stop. Hopefully you’ll live a long and healthy life and, if you do, you ■ could end up paying more than the sum paid out on death. ■


our wedding day will probably be the best day of your life - and definitely the most expensive. If it’s anything like the


leverage UK wedding, the total cost will be " ushing £20,000. But think carefully before you spend more than 'ou can afford, no matter how tempting that 20- p e r cake might look in the brochure. Because Bnce the groom has kissed the bride and the Iparty is finally over, who'wants to join the ranks ® f love-struck newlyweds saddled with debt? H Fortunately, there is a way to have a .wonderful Hay without blowing a realistic


^Udy WIUIUUL U UWII ly d icdllbUw Ipudget. Nicola Ray, the woman


ibehind www.cheap-wedding


success.co.uk, says it's absolutely ossible to get manied cheaply,


^ithout it looking cheap. Ray’s own big day cost less an £5,000. She was determined to have the wedding of her ' breams but refused to get into


^1 L _ U U l \ l l l y UClVjiVj your own skills, ask your friends H 0 K ID H M?! P K i i I I we wouldn't


|lebt over it. “I’m not really a giriy, ^irl,” she says, “but of course I 'anted a pretty dress, a lovely reception, the


have changed a thing’


Jrhampagne to flow all afternoon, and delicious food. I had to think creatively and forego a few Ihings to keep costs down. But it was easily


[done and made the difference to our finances.” Ray and her fiance Stuart’s reception took lace in a marquee in her in-law’s Herefordshire


garden. The couple did the catering for all 100 Quests and enlisted help from generous friends ’ or photography, flowers,- cake and music. They even nipped over to France to buy the


booze, and cleverly swapped costly Champagne tor inexpensive Spanish Cava. “Everyone


and family for their help, says Ray. Ray believes it’s best to avoid


the “wedding” section of the market at all cost. Companies bump up their prices on anything marked “wedding”. Instead, she says: “You’re better


off picking up a fabulous three­ tiered celebration cake from Asda


or Tesco which sell for little over £30. Or if you fancy something more up market, Marks and Spencer and Waitrose do lovely celebration . cakes for under £200 - still far cheaper than a ‘real’ wedding cake from a cake shop.” And while not everyone will have free access •


to a beautiful garden, money-conscious couples should get creative when it comes to venues. ’Tty village halls, local authority buildings.


National Trust spaces and even pretty country pubs,” says Ray. “And if you’re still set on a country house or boutique hotel, go for a mid­ week wedding or choose a date out of season.”


FIVE STEPS TO BUDGET BLISS Cornwall-based wedding planner Sarah Vaux,


(www.sarahvaux.co.uk) shares her tips: ■ ,


0 Keep the numbers down - think small and intimate, not a f r e e - f o r - a l l ^ i


M?) marsden


‘ H Always use flowers that are in season, n o t expensive imports


- >!B U I L‘D I N G ’S O C I E T Y] ' • -


'=0 Pick a venue that doesn't need extra decoration - 0 Have a late wedding - the longer your guests are with you, the more you have to spend 0 Get hitched abroad - but do your homework. ..v -


i ■ ■ .^ marsden LAVJpbuiloimq society. call 0800 801645*; click themarsden.co.uk


: Marsden Building Society is authorised and regulated by the Rnancial Services Authonty and is entered in the FSA Register under number 206050. A member of the Rnancial Services Compensation Scheme and the Financial Ombudsman Service. *To help maintain service quality some telephone calls may be recorded and monitored. Principal Off ice 6-20 Russell Street Nelson Lancashire B69 7NJ. Travis Yates registered office 79 King Street, Whalley. Lancs BB7


' 9SW- Registered in England No. 4281036.101254 628395 f 01254 623395. Travis Yates Independent Rnancial Planning Ltd Is an appointed representative of Sesame Ltd which IS authorised and regulated by the Rnanctal Services A u th o n ty . .^ ; r


. ..r


commented on how perfect the day went,” beams Ray. “Many people complimented me and Stuart on the quality of food, and told us what a great, relaxed atmosphere there was. Looking back, we wouldn't have changed a thing.” W^dings are big business, you can literally


pay thousands for somebody else to take care of the details. But the DIY option can be rewarding, says Ray, and will ultimately save you cash. “It’s actually quite straightforward to make your


own favours, invitations, decorations, centre pieces and wedding cake. It will also make your wedding day more personal.”


you’re not confident about introducing our financial advisory partner


For the help you need with your finances


- - ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ -


We are delighted to.introduce Travis Yates IFF Ltd as our partner for financial services. Established in 2001, Travis Yates has grown into a successful local company, providing a highly professional and personal service to both private customers and corporate clients.


For further information, call free on 0800 801645* or visit your local branch


m themarsden.co.uk Ctitheroe Advertiser &Tlmes.Thuredav,Juno 3.2010


YOUR MONEY 11 /r '.-


without a i JW* 4m f V- i Hi i if I 'O' - 1 : ! h jl* ■CM


Our partnership also extends to agency counter services. From 07 June 2010, Travis Yates will operate as the local agent for Marsden Building Society in Clltheroe. We hope you will have the opportunity to use these services, either as an existing or ' new customer.


. . TRAVIS YATES ISTtPENPDn’aSANCtALrUKNINOLTD -


Local Marsden Agent: 32 Castle Street, Clltheroe t (01200) 427622 - opening 7 June 2010 www.travisyates.com


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