Specialist

LIFEMARK

A FINE MESS

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has hinted it may impose stricter regulatory requirements on firms recommending traded life policy investments (TLPIs) after issuing final guidance stating they should not be promoted to most retail investors.

Many people who have SIPPs already meet the minimum income requirement through other pensions such as historic final salary schemes. This can be a real benefit for those who need some extra income but want to preserve death benefits.

FIVE THINGS

UCIS TIPS

UCIS

Graham Shore, veteran VCT investor and director of the Puma range of VCTs, outlines questions advisers can ask to help avoid the VCT landmines.

GOLD STAR

Few VCTs are upbeat nowadays - they are either fretting over the state of their portfolio, or their next fund, but one manager has just experienced a record number of deals.