Budget 2014: The headlines
Ed Bowsher runs through the main points of today's Budget statement, and looks at how they will affect you.
George Osborne announced a big surprise at the end of his budget major changes to the Isa and pension regime.Here are all the main changes announced in the budget:
Isas
Existing Isas can be transferred between shares and cash or vice versa without any restriction. These restrictions will be lifted in July as well.
Pensions
More retirees will be able to go into flexible drawdown' with their pension pots. In other words, they'll have complete flexibility on how much money they can withdraw. They'll only need to demonstrate they have £12,000 in other pension income as opposed to £20,000 now.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Anyone with a pension pot who is about to retire can receive free financial advice on what to do a new right to advice'.
New pensioner bond
Income tax
The higher rate (40%) threshold will rise to £41,865, and then by 1% each year.
Growth and debt
Property
Ed has been a private investor since the mid-90s and has worked as a financial journalist since 2000. He's been employed by several investment websites including Citywire, breakingviews and The Motley Fool, where he was UK editor.
Ed mainly invests in technology shares, pharmaceuticals and smaller companies. He's also a big fan of investment trusts.
Away from work, Ed is a keen theatre goer and loves all things Canadian.
-
Should you sell in May this year?
The market adage looks unlikely to apply in 2024, and global equities are proving resilient
By Max King Published
-
Should you invest in UK equities?
The FTSE 100 hit a record high this week, but UK equities remain unloved and undervalued compared to their global and US peers. Should you snap them up at a discount?
By Katie Williams Published