Standard Life

Advisers should be aware trusts can be used to minimise the effects of IHT through a ‘dripfeed' approach as well as large one-off gifts, Standard Life says.

Although more than half of parents are prepared to financially help their children buy their first home, many could be risking their offspring's property by failing to consider Inheritance Tax.

Standard Life's first annual general meeting since its listing on the London Stock Exchange in July last year has seen shareholders pass all proposed resolutions including agreeing a first dividend of 5.4p a share.

Threesixty has assured IFA clients its independent status will not be affected by Standard Life taking a minority stake in the business.

Life and pensions sales for Standard Life have risen over 50% in the first three months of 2007, driven by strong growth in Self Invested Personal Pensions, although figures reveal protection sales have fallen 44% year-on-year.

A new director of life and savings has been appointed by the Association of British Insurers to start in July.

Standard Life cut the number of critical illness claims declined in 2006 by more than half compared to 2005, following improved questions and additional warnings on forms, claims the insurer.

Standard Life is launching a pipeline tracking service on their extranet service to help advisers save time when chasing information, and to complement the existing new business tracking services already available.

The decision by Special Commissioners to reject an appeal over Inheritance Tax and nil-rate band will trusts has come as no surprise, claims Standard Life, but argues it doesn't affect the way trusts work.

Many Eastern European countries, including the Baltic States and Russia, have adopted a flat tax system. The theory behind flat taxes contains two main arguments. First, by having a single rate of tax, the system is simple; people understand what they...