Money Savers = Page

&= nbsp; =20 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; =20

February 2009 =

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Medical = Care Costs=20 More
     Than People Realise =

New=20 research from Standard Life Healthcare shows that while two = in three=20 people would consider paying for their own treatment rather = than=20 wait for the NHS, most of them have the wrong idea about how = much=20 that treatment will actually cost.

The 8th = Standard=20 Life Attitudes to Healthcare survey has revealed that 15% of = adults=20 who would pay for private medical care rather than wait = would pay as=20 much as =A310,000; 40% would pay =A31,000, 26% =A32,500 and = 20% =A35,000=20 from their own funds.

But the research = also=20 showed that only one in three people knew that a coronary = artery=20 bypass would cost about =A314,500. Another one in three = thought it=20 would be just =A310,000 and one in four people thought it = would be=20 just =A38,500. Nearly one in ten (8%) thought it would be = only =A35,000.=20 Similarly, fewer than one in four people (23%) knew that a = knee=20 replacement would cost as much as =A39,500. A third of = people said it=20 would cost =A37,500,29% said =A35,000 and 16% thought it = would be only=20 =A33,500.

=91This underlines the need for = people to be more=20 aware of the true cost of healthcare, whether they are = considering=20 self-paying, or looking at private medical insurance,=92 = said Liam=20 Kennedy, National Development Manager,Standard Life = Healthcare.=20

=91Medical costs are dearer than most people imagine = and if=20 they don=92t want to wait for NHS care, or can=92t, they = might get a=20 nasty shock.=94

Liam continued, =93The = survey also=20 showed that seven in ten people worry about their health, = almost=20 half worry about their parents=92 health and the same about = their=20 children=92s. These are people who would benefit from the = reassurance=20 of private health insurance.=94

Other = results from=20 the survey showed that:

=95Eight in ten = people say=20 that being treated quickly is an important benefit of PMI.=20

=95Three in four people say that being able to = recuperate in clean and comfortable surroundings is an = important=20 benefit of PMI.

=95More than one in two people = (54%) say=20 that being offered a local private hospital is an important = benefit=20 of PMI.


Standard Life = Healthcare offers=20 wide ranging health and wellbeing support to all its health=20 insurance customers, and regularly conducts research on = attitudes to=20 health and wellbeing.

Typical=20 Premiums:
Example=20 1. =20 Non-Switch (New Business) =96 40% No Claims Discount. = (Starting=20 NCD)

Couple- Aged 61

No=20 Children/Dependants

=A3500 Excess

Countrywide = Hospital=20 List (Excluding London Upgrade) Unless stated GO for Guided = Options=20 hospital list.

EspritHealth=20 - =A3178.79

EspritHealth 6 ww- = =A3160.79

EspritHealth GO -=20 =A3151.97

EH Saver - =A3113.42

EH Saver 6 ww - = =A3102.10

EH Saver GO =96 Unavailable

Example=20 2.=20 Switch (assuming 5 years previous cover with no claims) =96 = 65% No=20 Claims Discount

Couple- Aged 61

No=20 Children/Dependants

=A3500 Excess

Countrywide = Hospital=20 List (Excluding London Upgrade) Unless stated G0 for Guided = Options=20 hospital list

EspritHealth=20 - =A3104.30

EspritHealth 6 ww - = =A393.86

EspritHealth GO -=20 =A388.66

EH Saver - =A378.41

EH Saver 6 ww=20 -=A370.58

Eh Saver GO - Unavailable

More information is available =20 at:
www.adviserzone.co.uk.=20

Caution=20 Advised Over
    Remortgaging For=20
       Equity=20 Release

Responding=20 to the findings of a study showing that large numbers of = homeowners=20 have looked to equity tied up in the value of their homes to = =93get=20 through hard times=94, financial solutions company Think = Money have=20 advised people who are struggling with debt to consider = their=20 options carefully, and if necessary, look into alternative = debt=20 solutions.

On average, the households = studied=20 added =A35000 to =A37500 to their mortgages in a given year = =96 and some=20 withdrew up to three quarters of the equity in their homes = this=20 way.

A mortgage expert for Think = Money=20 commented: =93While an equity withdrawal remortgage can be a = very=20 useful source of additional funds, it=92s important that it = is used=20 carefully and that the borrower can afford to repay the full = amount.

=93Remortgaging to withdraw = equity=20 can be a useful way of raising funds. However, we would = advise that=20 a remortgage as a form of debt consolidation is a big = financial=20 commitment that carries a big risk to the = homeowner.  On=20 the one hand, the difference to the homeowner=92s mortgage = payments=20 can be relatively small, since they can be spread over up to = the=20 duration of the mortgage. But on the other hand, it is a = reduction=20 in the homeowner=92s equity, which increases the risk of = negative=20 equity. Also, since a mortgage is a secured debt, the = homeowner can=20 face repossession if they run into trouble with future = payments.=20

=93As such, remortgaging to help meet = day-to-day costs=20 could put the homeowner at unnecessary risk, unless it has = been=20 thoroughly thought out beforehand. If the homeowner is = already being=20 pushed to the limits by debt, a debt consolidation = remortgage might=20 not make a significant improvement to their situation, and = could=20 increase the risk of=20 repossession.=94       =

The=20 Think Money spokesperson added that there are other ways of=20 addressing financial difficulties. =93The first thing we = advise people=20 who are struggling to meet their financial commitments is to = seek=20 independent financial advice. They may simply advise the = person in=20 debt on how to approach their creditors and negotiate = reduced=20 payments or a payment holiday.

=93If the = problem is more=20 serious, and the debt is becoming unmanageable, there are a = number=20 of debt solutions that could help =96 for example a debt = management=20 plan or an IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement). Both of = these can=20 help to reduce monthly outgoings without risking=20 repossession. As with any debt solution, it=92s always = advisable=20 for homeowners to speak to an expert debt adviser to discuss = their=20 options.=94

New=20 Easy Mortgage Rate Switch Service Launched To Save You Time = &=20 Money Plus Offering A Rebate

With=20 thousands of borrowers unable to benefit from a remortgage = as a=20 result of the credit crunch, Windfall launches its new = product=20 transfer/rate switch service designed to be quick and easy = with no=20 valuations required.

In addition Windfall are = offering a=20 generous rebate, to be paid to borrowers who use the=20 service.

According to the 2007 Council of Mortgage = Lenders=92=20 figures, 1.5 million fixed rate mortgages and over = 330,000=20 tracker rate mortgages were arranged. Many of these will = expire in=20 2009 and be forced on to the standard variable rate which is = typically 2.4% over base. This is in addition to the 5 = million=20 borrowers who are already paying their lenders the standard = variable=20 rate (SVR).

An increasing number of borrowers no = longer have=20 an option to obtain a remortgage. Falling property prices, = tougher=20 underwriting, reduced loan to values all leave borrowers = with little=20 choice but to stay with their existing = lender.

Staying with a=20 lender after the expiry of an existing product term can be a = positive option in the current difficult mortgage climate if = borrowers take advantage of alternative rate products as = opposed to=20 paying the SVR.

Typically lenders will offer = competitive=20 rates to ensure that they retain existing customers. For = example=20 Halifax, The Bank of Scotland and Woolwich currently offer = among the=20 lowest rates on the market and with some products = exclusively for=20 existing borrowers. By changing a product with a = borrower=92s existing=20 lender, the borrower avoids the need for a valuation, legal = process,=20 credit scoring or having to provide any financial=20 details.

Additionally, borrowers may benefit from a = rate=20 switch if they are on a SVR particularly as not all lenders = have=20 been passing on the full rate reductions. This is more = relevant as=20 the Bank of England (BOE) rate falls, and the gap between = the Base=20 Rate and SVR continues to widen.

Windfall=92s online = service=20 will allow borrowers to arrange a transfer in less than 5 = minutes as=20 opposed to the potentially lengthy remortgage process. The = website=20 is user-friendly, provides all the available lender rates, a = rebate=20 calculator, and includes the option of Live Help from a = Windfall=20 advisor if further assistance is required.

Windfall = will also=20 pay a generous rebate on all completed transfers which may = reduce=20 the affect of any fees charged by the lender. This is not = available=20 to borrowers who apply directly to their = lender.

Initially=20 the service will be offered for transfers with Halifax,=20 Barclays/Woolwich, The Bank of Scotland and Birmingham = Midshires=20 covering an estimated 40% of the mortgage=20 market.

Main=20 benefits of Windfall=92s service:
No=20 valuations required (despite falling property prices)
No = legal=20 fees or legal process (conveyance)
No lengthy forms
No = credit=20 scoring of any kind
Automatic acceptance
Online rate=20 transfers
Cash-back
Instant Online Live Help = button
For=20 more information about Windfall=92s web site please visit=20 www.windfall-finance.com

Filing Your Tax Return

Self=20 assessment has had its 1^st =93makeover=94 since = its=20 introduction in 1996. Andy Hardy, Development Director at=20 TaxCalc.com, offers his Top Tips on preparing and filing = your tax=20 return.

New=20 paper filing deadline

There=20 is a deadline date to be aware of:

=B7 =20 the=20 deadline to file a 2008-09 paper return is 31^st = October=20 2009. If you miss that deadline then your choice is=20 either: to=20 file online or to=20 incur=20 a penalty of =A3100

=B7 =20 the=20 deadline for filing a return online remains 31^st = January=20 2010

Filing=20 penalties

If=20 you miss the new deadline for paper filing and do not want = to file=20 online, then =20 you=20 CAN still file a paper return and HMRC will process it in = the normal=20 way but=20 you=20 will incur a penalty of =A3100

However,=20 there is a =93capping=94 rule for individual returns, which = means that=20 the =A3100 penalty will be reduced to NIL if =20 you=20 do not owe any tax or =20 you=20 pay any tax that is due by the payment date of = 31^st=20 January 2010. Because your return was late, you will still = be issued=20 an automatic penalty notice. You will have to appeal to have = it=20 amended to NIL.

Budgeting=20 for tax payments

Paying=20 tax is always painful. It is more painful if you do not know = how=20 much you will have to pay and so have not budgeted for the = full=20 payment.The new style tax returns do not include any tax=20 calculation. If you meet the paper deadline of = 31^st=20 October 2009, then HMRC will tell you how much you need to = pay=20 before the payment date of 31^st January 2010. = However,=20 that may be too late for you to find the money in = time

The=20 sooner you know the tax due, the sooner you can begin to put = money=20 aside to meet it. If you use software like TaxCalc to = prepare your=20 paper return then the tax is automatically calculated for = you and=20 you know immediately how much you need to pay and when. =

New=20 style tax returns

The=20 new tax returns are very different to previous year=92s = forms. For=20 example:

=B7 the=20 main return form now has only 6 pages. Some of the entries = you used=20 to make there now appear on other forms such as the new = =93Additional=20 Information=94 form

=B7 the=20 number of boxes have been reduced so that where there were = several=20 boxes last year there may now only be one box this year =

=B7 =20 there=20 are now 2 self employment return forms

=B7 these=20 changes make it very difficult to compare the forms year on = year or=20 to use last year=92s return as a guide to completing this = year=92s=20 form

=B7 =20 although=20 the capital gains tax (CGT) pages contain less detail, you = now have=20 to attach to the return a full calculation for each disposal = (as a=20 PDF file if you are filing online)

=B7 TaxCalc=20 makes it much simpler because =20 you=20 don=92t have to worry about where boxes are on the return = =96 it does it=20 for you. And it shows last year=92s entry for each box to = minimise the=20 risk of error, plus =20 it=20 automatically does the CGT calculations for you and attaches = them to=20 an online return =96 or allows you to print them out to = attach to your=20 paper return.

&= nbsp; =20 Money=20 Savers

   Pensions = Unscrambled!=20
       =20 By Steve Hunt, Managing Director of=20 =
           &nb= sp;      =20 Rockingham Retirement

  =20 3D"Saving

What=20 is it about pensions? When there is a sale on at some = of the=20 most popular department stores, people queue for days = to be=20 the first in to get the bargains. But when it comes to = what is=20 possibly the most important decision in someone=92s = entire life,=20 a decision that could possibly gain people thousands = of=20 pounds, they do absolutely nothing! In fact, = statistically,=20 60% of people do nothing!

I=20 have been in the pensions and retirement income = industry for=20 nearly 30 years. You mention the word =91pensions=92 = and this iron=20 curtain goes up. I sometimes think that some people = find=20 nuclear fusion easier to understand than pensions; but = this=20 does not need to be the case.

I=20 wonder if some =91professional advisors=92 = deliberately try and=20 confuse people with jargon, possibly because they do = not know=20 what they are talking about = themselves.

So, my key pieces of essential advice when = planning=20 your retirement income are to=85.

1) =20 Make an informed = decision

If=20 you are seeking help from a professional advisor or=20 consultant, make sure they are actually qualified to = give you=20 that help. Retirement income is a very specialist = field - you=20 would not go to your GP for open heart=20 surgery.

2) Understand the options = available

First,=20 and most important, is that there are two main types = of=20 retirement income products:

Unsecured=20 Pensions=20 (previously=20 called Income Drawdown)
With an unsecured pension = or=20 USP, you can choose to keep your pension fund = invested,=20 but still take your tax free cash and any income = direct from=20 your pension fund. You can still purchase an annuity = at a=20 later date.

Annuities
You=20 exchange the capital built up in your pension fund to = purchase=20 an annuity. A conventional annuity will pay you a = guaranteed=20 income, based on the size of your pension fund, your = age, sex=20 and some other factors, including your=20 health.

3) Decide which is best for = you

Both=20 options have advantages and disadvantages:

The = major=20 advantage of an annuity is =91guarantee of = payment=92. With=20 an annuity, you can be certain that a set amount of = income=20 will be paid for the rest of your, and possibly your=20 partner=92s, life. For example:

Mr Smith = uses his=20 pension fund to purchase a fixed, level annuity of = =A31,000 per=20 month with a 50% spouse=92s pension. This means he = will receive=20 =A31,000 per month for the rest of his life and when = he dies,=20 his partner will receive =A3500 per month for the rest = of her=20 life. This is essentially how an annuity=20 works.

The major advantage of = USP is its=20 flexibility and death benefits. With an annuity you = are=20 committed to that product for perhaps 20, 30 or even = 40 years.=20 It is not transferable to anyone other than a partner = and only=20 if you have included spouse=92s benefits. With an = unsecured=20 pension, in the event of your death, 100% of the fund = can be=20 passed to a spouse or partner to provide a retirement = income,=20 or even to a charity.

Alternatively, 65% of = the fund=20 can be passed to anyone you want, and I mean anyone. = For=20 example:

Mr Smith has a fund of =A3200k = and draws=20 from that an income of =A31,000 per month. If he died = in 10=20 years time, if invested correctly, his fund may still = be worth=20 =A3200k. This fund can then be passed to his partner = to either=20 buy an annuity herself or to continue as an unsecured = pension.=20 Alternatively, the =A3200k can be paid to any charity = of Mr=20 Smith=92s choice or =A3130k can be paid to whoever Mr = Smith wants,=20 TAX FREE and completely outside inheritance=20 tax.

So, these are the main benefits, = what are=20 the main risks?

With an annuity the main risks = to=20 consider are sudden death and inflation. It is = possible that=20 recent retired UK pensioners are in for some very hard = times,=20 why?

High government borrowing, and especially = printing=20 money, almost always ends up with high inflation. We = may have=20 low inflation now, but if you are taking out a level = annuity,=20 it will still be at the same level, not only tomorrow = but also=20 in 25 years time. The person who thinks that inflation = will=20 not come back sometime in the next 25 years, is = probably Mr=20 Wrong from Wrongfordshire! What does this=20 mean?

Remember Mr Smith, who took out his = annuity for=20 =A31,000 a month? In 10 years time, at 3% inflation = this will=20 now be worth less than =A3750 per month and in 25 = years time his=20 =A31,000 will be worth less than =A3479 a month, half = its original=20 value. And that is at just 3% inflation!

So,=20 who remembers 1975? What a fantastic year for music.. = 10cc=20 =93I=92m Not In Love=94, Rod Stewart =93Sailing=94 = and, yes, Queen=92s=20 =93Bohemian Rhapsody=94. Inflation for the year was = 24.24%! Yes,=20 24.24%! In fact, for three years inflation=20 was:

1974

16.900%

1975

24.240%

1976

16.543%

To=20 be honest, the chances of these levels reoccurring in = the next=20 25 years are, I believe, pretty high. So what would = that do to=20 a level annuity? Well at 15% inflation, a =A31,000 per = month=20 annuity, in 10 years would be worth less than =A3250 = per month,=20 less than a quarter of it=92s original value, and in = 25 years it=20 would be a worthless =A330 a month! It is well known = by=20 economists that high inflation decimates fixed incomes = and=20 that equates to most people who have taken out an = annuity in=20 the last 5 years or more.

Then=20 there is the risk of premature death. With an annuity, = you can=20 include up to a ten year guarantee period, at little = cost -=20 but what if Mr Smith dies after 12 years, with a = single life=20 annuity? Well, a 60 year old would need a fund of = =A3180k to buy=20 an annuity of =A31,000 per month. If he dies after 12 = years he=20 would have only received =A3144k in income for his = investment of=20 =A3180k. Not a very good return on his = fund!

So,=20 what are the drawbacks with an unsecured pension? Just = one=20 really, the underlying investment. With an annuity, Mr = Smith=20 did not fare well. If he died after 12 years this = would have=20 been a return of minus 2% on his fund.

But = what if he=20 had gone with an unsecured pension in equities? Well, = 12 years=20 ago the FTSE 100 was at 4,300 and as I write this the = FTSE 100=20 is a smidge over 4000. So, on an equity backed = unsecured=20 pension plan, he would not have fared any better, = however at=20 least there is a fund to pass on to his next of=20 kin!

So,=20 now you are just as confused and going back to the = article on=20 nuclear fusion!

Bottom=20 line; if certainty of payment is important to you and = you are=20 happy to take the risk of inflation and premature = death, then=20 the annuity route is the right one for you.

If = you=20 think the inflation risk is too high and can find a = good low=20 risk fund for your pension fund, that has = =91reasonable=92 returns=20 of say 5% to 10% and want the prospect of flexibility = and the=20 option of leaving your fund to family or friends, then = unsecured pension may be the best route for = you.

&nbs= p; =20 The ACID TEST

There=20 is an acid test for what to do with your hard earned = pension=20 fund; treat it as if it is your own money that you = have in a=20 bank or building society account (it really is NO = DIFFERENT).=20

If you had =A3100k in the bank and wanted an = income from=20 that money, what would you do with it? Would you put = it into=20 an annuity, where you are giving up the capital = forever in=20 return for a fixed level of income or would you invest = the=20 fund and live off the interest and capital?

If=20 you would like an independent personal annuity = quotation=20 please call Rockingham Retirement on 0800 1444 144 = or =20 please=20 = click
here:
&= nbsp; =20

If=20 you would like to know approximately how much you may = receive=20 as an income from your fund click = here: =20 =
&nb= sp; =20

If=20 you would like to know more about retirement income = and your=20 options in general please call Rockingham Retirement=20 on=20 0800 1444 144 or click here:

=20 Don=92t Get Scammed!

The=20 Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is warning people to = beware of=20 opportunistic scammers looking to rip off unsuspecting = victims=20 in 2009. Each year UK=20 consumers lose =A33.5 billion to scams with the = average victim=20 losing =A3850.

The OFT has = identified=20 older consumers as more likely to be targeted by a = scam, and=20 on average they are likely to lose twice as much as = other=20 victims. The most common scams that target older = people=20 are:

Bogus=20 prize draws =96 mailings that give the impression = that you=20 have won a large cash prize and ask you to send a = payment or=20 make a purchase to claim your winnings - in fact you = are=20 just being offered the opportunity to participate in = a prize=20 draw with a tiny chance of winning and can enter for = free
Phoney=20 Psychics =96 unsolicited mail shots from fake = =91psychics=92 that=20 prey on people's hopes and fears, and ask for money = in=20 exchange for promised good fortune, or threaten bad = luck if=20 you don't pay them
Miracle=20 health cures =96 offers of bogus products to cure = ailments=20 such as cancer or arthritis or which promise easy = weight=20 loss with guaranteed results or 'your money = back'.=20

Mike=20 Haley, Head of Consumer Protection at the OFT said:=20 =91Scammers=20 prey on trusting, vulnerable people. Our advice = is to=20 always be wary of unsolicited mailings, e-mails and = phone=20 calls tempting you with promises of a large cash win = or other=20 good fortune and asking for money up front. = Always talk=20 to a relative or friend if you are suspicious of an = offer that=20 sounds too-good-to-be-true.=92
Here=20 are the OFT's top 10 tips to avoid being=20 scammed:
1.=20 Be suspicious=20 of unsolicited letters, phone calls, or emails asking = you to=20 send money =96 check out the sender and ask the = opinion of=20 family, friends or neighbours

2.=20 If an offer looks too good to be true, it probably=20 is=20 =96 trust your gut instincts

3.=20 Always think twice=20 - ask yourself 'can I afford to lose money on=20 this?'

4.=20 Never send money to anyone who say's you've won the = lottery or=20 a big prize=20 =96 you'll never see your promised winnings

5.=20 Don't be rushed into sending off money=20 by time sensitive deadlines

6.=20 Never ring an 090 number unless you're certain how = much the=20 call will cost=20 and know what you are likely to receive

7.=20 Never disclose your bank account, credit card or = personal=20 details=20 to people you don't know

8.=20 Don't send money off just because a letter seems=20 official. =20 Scammers often use this trick. If you haven't heard of = them=20 check them out before taking any action.

9.=20 Scammers often use fake testimonials=20 to support their claims but don't let them fool you - = make=20 your own mind up.

10.=20 Don't suffer scams in silence, get help! Contact = Consumer=20 Direct on 08454 04 05 06 for advice or visit the=20 website=20 at: www.consumerdirect.gov.uk

<= /FONT> =20 =

= Investors=20 Can Enjoy An
     Annual Return=20 Of
   Between 9%-11%=20 From
         = Assured=20 Fund      =20

* =20 Assured Fund the =91perfect fit=92 for = current
   market=20 volatility

* High returning alternative to=20 decimated
   savings plans

* = Annual=20 returns of between 9 =96 11 per cent

* Stable = return=20 asset class with low risk

* Perfect for = capital=20 growth/retirement planning
  =20 strategies

As=20 SAVERS=20 face an increasingly desperate search for income in the wake = of the=20 latest Bank of England 0.5% base rate cut, Assured Fund,=20 based on the hugely successful US Senior Life = Settlements=20 market, has forecast a minimum 9 per cent return for=20 2009.

Graphic:=20 Assured Fund Sterling Class C, January 2009

As=20 the graph (above) shows, Assured Fund, managed by = Policy=20 Selection Ltd, has delivered exceptionally steady = returns since=20 its launch five years ago.

Its=20 Sterling Share Class C has easily outperformed = government=20 gilts (see graph) and as the returns are based on pay outs = from=20 maturing life policies held within the fund, investors do = not have=20 the worry of the market volatility which has plagued=20 equities.

UK=20 savers currently outnumber borrowers by seven to one = (source:=20 Moneyfacts. Jan 2009), and millions now face the bleak = reality of=20 seeing barely any returns from their cash.

=93Stock=20 market volatility in 2008 saw many investors making a flight = to cash=20 to shield against falling equity values, but that cash is = now doing=20 nothing as the Bank of England has slashed its base rate to = the=20 lowest level in history,=94 said Policy Selection Ltd=92s = (PSL)=20 Andrew Walters.

=93Investors=20 are fundamentally looking for more reliable investment = vehicles:=20 older investors in particular now face the stark reality of = being in=20 negative territory with their cash, as savings accounts are = not=20 keeping pace with the cost of living,=94 he = added.

=93Our=20 two key Sterling share classes =96 C and B =96 allow UK = investors with a=20 medium to long term investment horizon to access the fund.=20

=93Given=20 the current volatility in global stock markets, investors = wanting a=20 core capital growth investment alternative to bonds and = gilts =96 and=20 of course cash funds - will be attracted to our fund,=94 = said=20 Walters.

So, = how does=20 Assured Fund work?

=93We=20 invest in US life assurance policies sold on the second hand = traded=20 market by elderly US citizens =96 the typical age of policy = holders is=20 between 75 and 85. Reflecting similar products in the UK, = the=20 US-based policies carry a guaranteed death benefit and the = sum=20 assured,=94 he added.

=93When=20 the policyholder dies, the full sum assured is realised, = with=20 Assured Fund then receiving the = proceeds.

=93The=20 market for these policies is developing at a rapid rate, and = is now=20 worth well over US $10bn,=94 said Walters. =93It is also a = highly=20 suitable vehicle for self invested personal pensions, for = example,=20 and savvy investors will take comfort from the fact that = Assured=20 Fund has an outstanding five year track record showing = solid=20 capital growth since 2004.=94

Details of the = Fund:
Share classes:
Class B is = designed=20 for investment via a broker = Class C is=20 designed for investment through a bond, SIPP or a=20 wrapper

Minimum investment:
Class = B:=20 =A310,000; Class C: =A335,000

Interest rates:
Class B: = 13%; Class=20 C: 11%

Withdrawals:
Money = can be=20 withdrawn monthly. For Class B, there is a penalty for = withdrawals before Year 6 [Year 1, 8%; Year 2 ,6%; Year 3, = 4%; and=20 Year 5, 1%], while for Class C there is no penalty = .

Switching from another = investment:
It is=20 advised that the services of a Broker be used for switching. = Should=20 the investment be in a wrapper, then there will be no = broker=92s=20 fees.

For more=20 details:
on=20 the Assured Fund go to www.policyselection.com.

Policy=20 Selection Ltd was established in 2003, and is specifically = designed=20 to specialise in the US Senior Life Settlement market. With = around=20 $396 million (US) in assets under management, PSL is a = private=20 limited company registered in the Cayman Islands. The = Assured Fund=20 is an independent company with its own Board of = directors. The=20 Fund is audited by = PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

Phone Bill Money = Savers

3D"woman

You=20 could be saving hundreds of pounds a year by making sure = you=92re=20 paying the best price for the phone calls you make. There = are loads=20 of great money-saving deals around. So if you have never = used any=20 other company than BT, then it=92s time you started looking=20 around.

You=20 could be making savings on your mobile phones, international = calls=20 and even getting free calls to your favourite number. There = are=20 websites that will help you sort this out. Simply tell them = what you=20 use the phone for =96 is it mainly for phone calls at = weekends and=20 evenings, or phone calls all day including mobiles and = international=20 numbers =96 and the websites can advise you on the best=20 deal.

You could also be making savings by combining = your=20 phone line and your broadband internet service =96 called a = `bundle`=20 package =96 and the websites can advise you on that too. =

Mark=20 Todd of the comparison website http://www.firsthelpline.com/ = says: =93If you change from BT to another supplier and get a = bundle=20 with broadband, as an average user you could be looking at a = saving=20 of =A3100 per year.=94

The great thing about = comparison services=20 is that they do all the work for you. They have access to = the rates=20 of all the larger phone companies and most of the smaller = ones as=20 well. Simply call an adviser, explain your requirements and = they=20 will tell you the best deal for you. Companies that can help = include: http://www.firsthelpline.com/ = [or via freephone 0800 074 0741], Simplify Digital [0800 = 1388 388 or=20 http://www.simplify-digital.c= o.uk/],=20 or Uswitch [0800 404 7908 or www.uswitch.com].

And = there are=20 plenty of other ways to cut your phone bills, such as the=20 following:

Dial a=20 Prefix to override rates

Specialist=20 phone providers, called override providers, can offer = incredibly=20 cheap rates on international calls and calls to mobiles. = What you=20 have to do is sign up online and then dial a prefix before = the=20 number you wish to call. This cancels out the standard rate. = The=20 call is then charged to your credit card.

Calling=20 18185 for example, means that you will pay 5p for a landline = call=20 whatever the length of the call. BT=92s rate is 4p per = minute during=20 the day, so an hour long call using BT will cost you =A32.40 = compared=20 to the 5p with 18185.

For international calls there = are rates=20 starting at 0.5 per minute. And there are other providers = worth=20 looking at, such as Alpha Telecom, OneTel. 18866 and=20 1899.

Phoning=20 via the internet

Calling=20 via the internet is a real money saver, particularly for=20 international calls. There are various packages depending on = which=20 country you need to call, but with Skype calls to other = Skype users=20 via the internet are completely free. This is great if you = have a=20 relative living abroad. And for just =A33 per month you can = call=20 landlines all over Europe at no extra charge while for =A37 = you can=20 call America or Canada.

How=20 to avoid those expensive 0870 numbers =

They=20 are expensive =96 up to 6p per minute- and much of what you = pay goes=20 to the company rather than to your phone provider. But = the=20 good news is that you can avoid using them. If you have to = phone an=20 0870 number to phone a company to sort out a problem that is = of=20 their making, then INSIST that they call you back.

Or = alternatively, find out the number of the head office or = sales=20 department for the same company that starts with a standard = prefix=20 instead of the 0870 number, then dial that number and ask to = be=20 transferred to the relevant department.

There are = many=20 alternative landline numbers listed at www.saynoto0870.com=20

Top Insurance Tips To Save = Thousands=20

Insurance=20 is a vital part of everyday finances for us all; but there = is no=20 need to pay over the odds for it. The UK=92s leading price = comparison=20 site moneysupermarket.com reveals simple steps to save a = typical=20 family over =A32,350 each year.

Andy=20 Leadbetter, managing director of insurance at = moneysupermarket.com,=20 said: "While=20 insurance is essential for financial security and peace of = mind, it=20 is important Brits only opt for a level of cover relevant to = their=20 needs, and at the best available price. At a time when we = are all=20 reviewing our finances, outgoings can be trimmed by shopping = around=20 and taking several other easy steps to further reduce=20 premiums."

Motor=20 Insurance
Top=20 tip 1 =96 A younger driver can make great savings by adding = an older=20 driver to their policy =96 save =A3282.
Top tip 2 = =96 Shop=20 around for the best value deal for your circumstances =96 = save=20 =A31,255.
Top tip 3 =96 Increase your voluntary = excess from =A3100=20 to =A3500 if you can afford to =96 save =A355.
Top = tip 4 =96 Add a=20 partner =96 save =A323.
Top tip 5 =96 Halve your = mileage by=20 car-pooling with a colleague =96 save =A38 on = insurance. =20
Total=20 =3D=20 =A31,623.

Home=20 Insurance
Top=20 tip 6 =96 Pay annually instead of monthly =96 save = =A310.
Top=20 tip 7 =96 Shop around for the best value deal for your = circumstances =96=20 save =A3105.
Top tip 8 =96 Increase your voluntary = excess from=20 =A3100 to =A3500 if you can afford to =96 save = =A35.
Total=20 =3D=20 =A3120.

Payment=20 Protection Insurance
Top=20 tip 9 =96 Choose the best deal from an independent provider = rather=20 than accepting the standard deal from your loan provider =96 = save=20 =A3357.

Life=20 Insurance
Top=20 tip 10 =96 Give up smoking =96 save =A3216 on=20 insurance.

Travel=20 Insurance
Top=20 tip 11 =96 Choose the best deal from an independent provider = rather=20 than accepting the standard deal from your travel agent = =96=20 save =A334.

Piling on The Pounds =

Last month,=20 millions of people returned to work, wishing they were = working for=20 themselves. Enterprise Nation, the home business website, = has=20 created a four week programme to help turn that wish into = resolve.=20 Forget the weight-loss, pound-shedding programmes this year = and=20 focus instead on a pound-gaining approach to becoming your = own boss.=20 You could be up to =A3100,000 better off by the end of the=20 year.

In just one month, you can be up and running = with a=20 business that will thrive and prosper for the rest of the = year. Last=20 month, Enterprise Nation guided visitors through four=20 stages:

Week one -=20 Coming up with the big idea=20
Week two =96=20 Research and planning=20
Week three=20 =96 Sales and marketing=20
Week four =96=20 Keeping it all going

The = site at=20 www.enterprisenation.com = will be busy=20 with features, webchats and =91how to=92 guides that will = have you up=20 and running before you can say "a pinch and a punch... is it = March=20 already?"

Enterprise Nation founder, Emma Jones,=20 comments:=93What better way to start 2009 than with a = resolution to=20 work for yourself. The beauty of starting a business from = home is=20 that you can start in your spare time, from the spare room, = and on a=20 shoestring of a budget. All the tips and suggestions we=92ll = be=20 offering on the site will be ones that can be carried out = whilst=20 holding down a day job. Our visitors will be able to build = up their=20 business and move full time in to self-employment when the = time is=20 right for them.=94