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In this climate it's important that investors don't panic but stick to some of the basic principles of investing - security, diversification and timing.

If the security of your money is your number one concern then put it into a National Savings Account. It's a simple but effective solution, which guarantees your capital and provides a reasonable rate of return.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket - by spreading your investments you reduce the risk of being over exposed to any one financial institution.

And finally, don't try to time to the market - if you are investing into equity markets then drip feed your money into the market over a period of time. If you are withdrawing from the market, then drip feed your money out of the market.

Any well-constructed investment portfolio will be built around these three elements which are key to helping investors weather the current financial storm.

_{RSM Tenon Financial Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. The content of this website is for general information only and is based on our understanding of current legislation and HM Revenue & Customs practice, which is subject to change.}

Income drawdown can be suitable for many different individuals in many different situations. However, the key point is the dependence that you have on one particular source of income. If you are largely reliant on one source of income to meet your daily living requirements then certainty is far more important than flexibility.

If you have several sources of income, be they other pensions or capital that can be used to generate income, then the flexibility afforded by income drawdown becomes more attractive. Fund size, whilst a component factor, is by no means the only issue.

Income drawdown is a viable option that should be considered - and in many cases dismissed - for a whole range of individuals. It may well have a part to play especially when used as part of a structured retirement plan that might include an element of guaranteed products and partial annuity purchase.

_{RSM Tenon Financial Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. The content of this website is for general information only and is based on our understanding of current legislation and HM Revenue & Customs practice, which is subject to change.}

There are ways you can protect the wealth you’ve worked hard to build and make sure as much as possible goes to your beneficiaries and as little as possible lands in the hands of the taxman.

1. If you don’t already have one, make a will. It makes your wishes concrete, eases administration and clarifies who should get what, and can be the first step to reducing an inheritance tax bill.
2. If you’re married, anything you pass on to a spouse is free of inheritance tax. This also applies to same gender couples who register under civil partnership laws.
3. Use annual allowances each year. Whilst the allowances are modest they will allow significant gifts to be made over time.

These are just some of the ways you can protect your family’s future.

_{RSM Tenon Financial Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. The content of this website is for general information only and is based on our understanding of current legislation and HM Revenue & Customs practice, which is subject to change.}

Research has shown that attractive employee benefits packages help recruit and retain the right employees. But getting the balance between the right package for your employees and cost to the business can be tricky.

Benefit programmes can be structured in different ways, to include:

• core benefits such as group pension and life assurance schemes
• health benefits such as private medical and dental insurance
• lifestyle benefits such as childcare vouchers and holiday schemes

These benefits could be available to all employees, or some may only be made available to employees at a certain grade. And don’t forget the tax allowances which employers and employees can take advantage of through a benefit programme.

_{RSM Tenon Financial Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. The content of this website is for general information only and is based on our understanding of current legislation and HM Revenue & Customs practice, which is subject to change.}

If you have cash to invest, keep the basic principles of investing in mind - security, diversification and timing when you’re looking at your options. You should also think about establishing and adhering to an appropriate investment strategy over the longer-term. Some of the foundations of such a strategy include:

• asset allocation - the combination of cash, fixed interest, property and equities in a portfolio is an important factor in determining the performance of that portfolio.
• investment risk - there is usually a close relationship between investment risk and reward. Over time, financial markets have tended to reward investors who are willing to take higher risks with their capital. However, over shorter periods, there can be sharp movements (volatility) in the prices of some assets, particularly equities.
• tax efficiency - a straightforward method of improving the investment returns on a portfolio is to make sure that the planning is tax efficient. In other words, that all available annual allowances are used and maximum use is made of the starting and basic rate tax bands (and amounts taxed in higher rate tax bands minimised).

If you want to build, preserve and protect your cash, you should consider a flexible strategy which can change as your circumstances do.

_{RSM Tenon Financial Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. The content of this website is for general information only and is based on our understanding of current legislation and HM Revenue & Customs practice, which is subject to change.}

We believe that mutual trust and respect form the foundations of developing an ongoing relationship with you. When we work with you we promise to:

• treat you fairly and with respect
• communicate with you clearly, in plain English
• be approachable and respond quickly and efficiently to you
• deal with any complaints promptly and fairly

These principles are set out in our customer charter which you’ll receive when you become a client.

We’ve achieved Chartered Financial Planner status – an exclusive title only awarded to firms which meet the rigorous criteria relating to professionalism and ethical good practice as set by The Chartered Insurance Institute.

We’re authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and adhere to the principles they have set out. These include acting with integrity, due skill and care, and having appropriate systems and controls in place.

_{RSM Tenon Financial Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. The content of this website is for general information only and is based on our understanding of current legislation and HM Revenue & Customs practice, which is subject to change.}