Newsletter
Newsletter March 2010
1st Edition
Welcome
David Hughes
As we approach the end of the first quarter of 2010, I am delighted to introduce the first edition of the Ellis Bates Group Newsletter, bringing news and development on Financial and Insurance matters to all our Personal, Corporate and Professional clients. This year also brings great significance for us as we celebrate our 30th anniversary, providing professional services in the north of England.
Retirement Planning
Paul McAtominey
The Government has moved the goalposts again. The age at which you can access your pension savings is going up. New laws and regulations will see the minimum age you can access the benefits from your pension is increasing from 50 to 55 years old
You’ll be most affected if you were born between 7 April 1955 and 5 April 1960 and were planning on using some of your pension savings before your 55th birthday.
Whilst taking benefits early is generally not advisable as any future potential growth will be lost, there are a number of valid financial planning reasons that you may choose to do this
Ellis Bates Care - Changes to health & social care
Steve Arthington
From April 2010 the regulation of health and social care in this country will change and many people and organisations are ill-prepared for this.
The average life expectancy in 1900 was 55 years and is now 84 years. In 25 years from now the average person will live to 100 years of age. With old age comes the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s and those unfortunately affected by these conditions need close personal care.
Economic outlook for 2010 ‘A Fishers Tale’
Tony Fisher
The global economy at the start of 2010 is in a fundamentally different position than was the case twelve months ago.
The final quarters of 2008 and the first part of 2009 were characterised by a collapse in economic activity in the developed and emerging economies. This weakness, together with the extreme vulnerability in the global financial system, lead to concerns that recession could give way to depression and deflation.
Ellis Bates Group in training for MedEquip4Kids
‘MEGAHIKE’
The team pictured above (left to right Catie Bradbury, Kim Dixon, Sue Wright and Andrew Barron have begun training for a 50 mile hike across the Pennines in aid of Mediquip4Kids. The 24 hour endurance team challenge is taking place from the 26th to 27th June 2010.
MedEquip4Kids works with medical staff, play therapists, community nurses, the ambulance service and other registered charities to provide equipment and improve the environment in hospitals across the North West. Their policy is to fund items known to improve the care provided to children but not readily available with the NHS's limited budgets.