26 Lowther Street, Carlisle, CA3 8DA

We’re Going National with the Help of our New Marketing Coordinator!

Ebony Ritchie marketing coordinator

We’re Going National with the Help of our New Marketing Coordinator!

Team Expansion March 2024

We are expanding our team and brand exposure with the arrival of our new Marketing Coordinator.

Ebony Ritchie joins SSA from the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership with a history of working in government relations.

Our Director Emma Sherlock says: “Marketing is a real passion of mine. Demonstrating how we can help more people with their lifelong financial success is such a rewarding job and crucial for the longevity of our business. Now, I have the joy of sharing that passion with a very talented marketing coordinator, Ebony. I’m so excited to see what she will achieve. Ebony and I already have some exciting plans in the pipeline and I’m really looking forward to working closely with her. As we move into a more national arena with a client base from further afield, it’s great be able to showcase our Cumbrian expertise to a wider national audience.’

Ebony started working in marketing at 17 years old having secured a place on a scheme called Dream Placement… designed to give more young people experience of working with Cumbrian businesses. During her 3 years in industry so far, Ebony’s work has taken her to a Q&A with the Prime Minister, she has represented Cumbrian businesses at regional events, and developed further awareness of the successes of Cumbrian businesses through a 70% increase in engagement with the LEP.

Ebony says: ‘I’m so excited to be joining the SSA team. I’m looking forward to working on new marketing materials and getting SSA onto a national podium. I can’t wait to achieve our business goals and roll out all the interesting projects we have planned for the future.’

Ebony’s experience of working within strict parameters will hold her in good stead as she navigates around FCA marketing regulation.

YOUR PROPERTY MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.

Approved by The Openwork Partnership on 21/12/2023.

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Ever Heard of a Junior Pension?

Family walking along the beach

Ever Heard of a Junior Pension?

Junior Pensions: What You Need to Know

Do you want your children to have a secure financial future?

Ever heard of a Junior Pension?

Yes, it’s true – your children or grandchildren can have their own pension!

Here’s how it works:

Junior pensions permit a contribution of £3600 per year (you contribute £2880, and HMRC adds in £720).

And here’s the great part – family and friends can also contribute to these funds.

Let’s break it down:

So, let’s say you were able to start with the maximum of £240 per month when they’re born… And continue this investment until they turn 18, you will have invested £64,800.Assuming an annual investment growth rate of 6% before fees, their pension will be worth £116 205.96.

Leaving that sum invested for 39 years (until your child or grandchild reaches age 57), assuming they achieved the same average growth of 6% per annum before fees, they could retire with a pot worth £1,199,348.25. Having not invested a penny more! This is in today’s money, not allowing for inflation. Why 57? The minimum pension age is changing from 55 to 57 in 2028.

If you’d like to know more give me a call now on 01228 598821. Or drop me a line at arran.pamphilon@stansherlock.com

The value of investments and any income from them can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the original amount invested.

HM Revenue and Customs practice and the law relating to taxation are complex and subject to individual circumstances and changes which cannot be foreseen.

Approved by the Openwork Partnership 17/03/2024

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More Support for our Clients and Advisers

Signing Documents

More Support for our Clients and Advisers

We are continuing to grow at SSA, with more support for our expanding network of clients and adviser team.

We’ve added another member to our business support team to enable advisers to process more mortgages for more clients whilst maintaining our high standard of service.

Kayleigh Aitken joins the team with previous experience in financial services having worked at one of the larger international banks and with accountants.

Our Director Emma Sherlock says: “Our Business Support Team is crucial to the smooth running of client relations. The whole team plays an important part in the advice process, from preparing client appointments, to the submission of a mortgage or pension through to completion and keeping in touch with clients throughout their financial journey. Without our business support team, the cogs stop turning. Kayleigh is an excellent fit and her knowledge from her previous roles will no doubt prove to be useful as she settles into her time with SSA. We’re thrilled to have her on board.”

Kayleigh says: “I’m excited to finally get stuck in and support the team. I feel that the finance industry is where I’m meant to be. I’m interested in all aspects of finance but particularly the mortgage side of things, which is great, as I’ll predominantly be supporting the mortgage team. I’m looking forward to building a career with SSA and hopefully I’ll be able to help you in the future.”

Welcome to the team Kayleigh!

Kayleigh Aitken Stan Sherlock Associates Ltd
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Multiple Myeloma… Sandra’s Story

Multiple Myeloma… Sandra’s Story

I reached the age of 62 with no major health issues at all.

The only times I had spent in hospital were for the birth of my 2 daughters. I suppose like many people I took my good health for granted and adopted the ‘it will never happen to me’ attitude.

I have worked in the financial services industry for almost 25 years and know the importance of having financial protection in place, but I kept putting it off convinced that ‘it would never happen to me’. I should have known better.

After contracting Covid in March 2022, I became quite ill and suffered horrendous fatigue. I really struggled to carry out everyday tasks, and the condition was initially blamed on ‘post Covid fatigue’. However, after having a blood test, it was discovered that my kidneys were failing and were only functioning at 2%. I was admitted to hospital where I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a type of blood cancer which had damaged my kidneys.

I had 6 months of chemotherapy and my cancer is now in remission but regular blood tests are required to check that it hasn’t reared its ugly head again. My consultant hoped that with treatment, my kidneys would start to work again, but sadly this did not happen, so I am now faced with spending 12 hours each week hooked up to a dialysis machine for the rest of my life.

Those 2 little words 'if only' keep popping into my head. If only I had income protection in place, if only I had critical illness cover...

Chemotherapy and dialysis have really taken their toll on me and with the time spent on dialysis, I can no longer continue to work full time. I am very fortunate to have such an understanding and supportive employer and I have returned to work part time, but obviously my earnings have dropped dramatically.

Those 2 little words ‘if only’ keep popping into my head. If only I had income protection in place, if only I had critical illness cover… If I had a mortgage or children at home, I would have been forced to sell my home which, on top of my illness would have been so stressful.

So, to anybody who has a mortgage or a family, please listen to your adviser and ensure that you have sufficient cover in place – I never dreamt that it would happen to me, but it did.

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We’re expanding into South Cumbria and North Lancashire!

We’re expanding into South Cumbria and North Lancashire!

Bringing Bespoke Financial Services to South Cumbria and North Lancashire

We wanted to bring bespoke financial advice combined with our excellent client care to more people in more places! So… we did! We can now help people in North Lancashire and South Cumbria.

We’ve taken on a new adviser in the Ribble Valley area. Laura Shufflebotham joins SSA as an holistic adviser offering clients advice on pensions and investments, mortgages and insurances. Laura has worked in financial services for 20 years and brings with her a wealth of experience from all sides of the industry.

Laura says: “I am delighted to be joining the Stan Sherlock Associates family to help expand their business and provide more people with the value of tailored financial planning. I’ve worked in financial services since I was 16 and feel very passionate about making sure people have good solid plans in place to see them through to retirement. Stan Sherlock Associates is a well established and trusted family firm and I’m excited to be bringing it to Blackburn, North Lancashire and South Cumbria.”

Our firm was set up by Stan Sherlock in 1989 and a move to the North Lancashire area is the perfect fit as many of the Sherlock family still live in and around Stan’s old stomping ground, Lancashire.

Practice Principal and financial adviser Bobby Sherlock says: “Our family is very fond of the North Lancashire area. My dad’s family still live in and around the area and it was a huge part of our lives growing up. My dad even played for the Preston Grasshoppers in the late 70s.To have Laura carry the Stan Sherlock Associates flag for us in the area makes me feel very proud. Laura’s values and work ethic are akin to our own, and her passion and care for her clients aligns perfectly with the services we offer as a firm. To be able to offer our services to more clients in an area we feel strongly tied to is a privilege, and one I whole heartedly trust Laura with.”

Laura has 2 young children and since becoming a mother feels passionate about ensuring families are protected should the worst happen. In her spare time she enjoys a glass of wine and long walks.

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SSA – Top Mortgage Employers 2022 Award

SSA – Top Mortgage Employers 2022 Award

One of The UK’s Top Mortgage Employers of 2022

We are thrilled, delighted and over the moon, to be honest, there are too many ways to express our excitement right now! The reason for our excitement? We’ve been named as one of the UK’s top mortgage employers for 2022 by Mortgage Introducer. The Top Mortgage Employers 2022 Award is a coveted prize for any organisation in our industry, and we’re absolutely delighted as a team to be picking up the award.

 

What is the Top Mortgage Employers 2022 Award?

As you might expect from the title, those who are privileged enough to obtain the Top Mortgage Employers 2022 Award are at the top of their game and leading the industry.

More specifically, to be considered for the Top Mortgage Employers 2022 Award, companies need an 80% satisfaction rating or more from anonymous employee surveys, which we are extremely proud to have achieved!

 

A family effort

At Stan Sherlock Associates, we’re a family-run business and proud of it.

We’re also proud of the work we do within our local community of Carlisle, as well as in Cumbria and beyond, and it’s the support of our valued, local customers who made winning the Top Mortgage Employers 2022 Award possible, and we appreciate you all.


Thank you to all our team

As well as thanking our customers, we’d like to take this chance to thank everybody who works here at Stan Sherlock Associates for all their hard work.

We couldn’t do what we do without you, and we certainly wouldn’t be able to take home prizes like the Top Mortgage Employers 2022 Award if it wasn’t for the dedication, quality, and superb service our team is able to consistently provide to our customers.

While awards are nice, particularly this one, we’re all about people at Stan Sherlock Associates, and we’re absolutely ecstatic that this dedication to our team has been recognised by such a prestigious body.

So, thank you to everybody who voted for us for the Top Mortgage Employers 2022 Award, and here’s to an even stronger 2023!

For more information about the Top Mortgage Employers 2022 award, visit the Mortgage Introducer website.

Top Mortgage Employers 2022 | Mortgage Introducer

The Top Mortgage Employers have provided better benefits and working conditions to help employees cope with a higher cost of living.

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Pension FAQs

Pension FAQs

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As we’re sure you’re aware, there’s currently a cost-of-living crisis taking place across Carlisle, Cumbria, and in fact, the entire United Kingdom.As a result, people from Carlisle to Dover are trying to make the most of the money they have now, rather than thinking about savings, investments, and pensions of the future.

And while this is understandable as a knee-jerk reaction to economic uncertainty, disregarding your future is one of the worst financial moves you can make, especially when it comes to planning for your pension.

So, in today’s article, we’ll discuss why pensions are so important, and offer some answers to pension questions we get asked all the time.

Let’s jump in with one of the most popular pension-based questions.

 

How often should I keep track of my pensions?

It’s easy to forget about your pensions, especially if you’ve moved jobs over the years and have lots of different pots you’ve paid into. That’s why it’s understandable if you don’t check on your pensions as much as you’d like, but as a rule of thumb, you want to be checking them at least once a year.

Of course, it’s better to check on them more than this, but doing so once a year will give you an idea of what they’re worth and how they’re performing. Most importantly, it’ll give you a strong indication of whether or not you’re likely to meet your long-term financial goals.


What happens to my pension money and benefits when I leave my employer?

In short, you keep your pension if you leave your employer and get a new job. Just because you’ve left the job, it doesn’t mean you lose the benefits of your pension, even if you lose track of where that pension is.


What if I lose track of my pensions?

First of all… Don’t worry! We can help you track pensions from all your previous jobs, so you don’t lose out on the money you’ve put into your pension investments.

We do this through the pension tracing service we provide to clients from Carlisle, Cumbria, and anywhere in the UK, so you can keep track of your pensions and make sure they’re performing for you.

Get in touch to discuss how we can help track your pensions.


How much do I need to retire?

As is the case with most questions about your personal finances, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer for this one. Everybody is different and it depends on your circumstances, but as of today, the state pension at the age of 66 is £185.15 per week.

This is barely enough to get by in the current economic climate, and is certainly not enough for you to live comfortably and spend money on things you enjoy. We’re not talking about yacht parties and trips to Monaco; we’re talking about having a social life of some kind, seeing friends and family, visiting new places, and dining out.

That’s why it’s important to have a strong private pension to add to your state-funded pension, and why it’s important to choose a financial adviser to help you grow your pension funds properly for when the time comes.

At Stan Sherlock Associates, we serve the Carlisle and Cumbria areas but offer advice across Central Scotland, The North East of England, and further afield. We offer bespoke advice regarding your pension, so get in touch to find out how we can help.


Can I take my pension fund all at once?

If you hit your pension scheme’s retirement age, then you can take your entire pension in one go. However, just because you can, doesn’t make it a good idea.
This is because 25% of what you take will be tax-free, but you’ll more than likely have to pay income tax on the remaining 75%. This is an astonishing figure and could put a huge dent into what you’ve earned over the years.

There are all kinds of pitfalls when it comes to withdrawing your pension, so get in touch with Stan Sherlock Associates to avoid them and make sure you get the most out of your pension pots.


What are the advantages of combining my pensions?

Combining or consolidating your pensions is a brilliant method of unlocking growth in your investments, and can mean:

  • Less work – One pension pot is better than lots, and a single location for your pension investments makes it much easier to keep track of and manage.
  • Save money – Since you’re not paying lots of different providers’ management fees, you could save money by combining your pension pots.
  • Better investment opportunities – Consolidated pensions often have better investment opportunities than older schemes. This means you can gain more income and benefits from them as opposed to outdated plans.

To find out about the many benefits of combining your pensions, whether you’re in Carlisle, Cumbria, or anywhere else in the UK, get in touch with our pension planning experts today.


What’s the difference between defined benefits & defined contribution pensions?

Simply put, defined benefit schemes are the traditional kind of pension. You know what your scheme will pay you when you retire, and it’s generally based on how long you’ve worked there and the salary you received.

Defined contributions are becoming more popular, mainly because they cost your employer less. The value at retirement depends on how much you pay in, and how well that grows over the years.

As these types of pensions are based on performance, you need to make sure you have a strong strategy in place for your pension investments. Which is why it’s a good idea to take advice from an expert.


Can I collect my pension and still work?

The short answer to this one is yes! You can access private pensions from the age of 55 onwards, and still work alongside them if you like. This also applies to the state pension once you’re eligible to collect it.

Get in touch with Stan Sherlock Associates
Based in Carlisle, Cumbria, our experts have years of experience working with clients across Cumbria and beyond, helping with pension planning and financial advice.

Our expert team provides support and guidance in all aspects of pensions, which include:

  • Setting up your pensions
  • Finding your lost pensions
  • Pension consolidation
  • Pensions freedoms advice
  • IHT planning
  • Passing on your wealth

Get in touch to find out how we can help you prepare your retirement with the perfect pension strategy.

The value of investments and any income from them can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the original amount invested.

HM Revenue and Customs practice and the law relating to taxation are complex and subject to individual circumstances and changes which cannot be foreseen.

Approved by the Openwork Partnership on 26/9/2023

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Lifetime Mortgages and Equity Release

Lifetime Mortgages and Equity Release

Are you considering a lifetime mortgage but you’re not sure of the details?

Our Expert Advisers Robert Sherlock and Anne Preston answer your top questions on equity release and lifetime mortgages:

The lifetime mortgage market is experiencing rapid growth as more people look to boost their retirement income and improve their standard of living. According to the Equity Release Council a total of 3.92 billion pounds of housing equity was withdrawn by older homeowners in 2019.


What is a lifetime mortgage?

A lifetime mortgage also known as equity release is when you access the equity or ‘cash’ in your home as a tax-free lump sum or as a regular income to enhance your pension.

It’s a mortgage that is only required to be repaid on death, going into long term care, or moving property.


Who can have a lifetime mortgage?

Lifetime mortgages are available to homeowners aged 55 and above. There may also be a minimum property value requirement.


What can a lifetime mortgage be used for?

The cash taken from equity release, or a lifetime mortgage, can be used for any of the following:

  • repaying the original mortgage
  • repaying debt
  • an emergency fund
  • home improvements
  • gifting deposits to family or friends
  • a holiday

The money can not be used for investment purposes.


Do I still own the house?

Yes, you do still own your house. The mortgage company only requires the loan to be redeemed on death, long-term care or moving home. There are also ways to protect inheritance for family and friends.


Are there any pitfalls?

Expert personalised advice is vital when considering equity release and lifetime mortgages. Borrowing against the equity in your home can release much needed funds to improve your quality of life in retirement or even help out family members but the potential pitfalls must also be understood. At Stan Sherlock Associates we take a holistic view of your retirement finances before recommending a lifetime mortgage product to you.

Lifetime mortgages aren’t right for everyone. But we can offer a thorough understanding of the benefits, drawbacks and costs and, if suitable, find the right deal for your individual circumstances.


What should I look for in an adviser?

All professional advisers dealing with equity release or lifetime mortgages must have a specialist qualification. At Stan Sherlock Associates Director and Practice Principal, Bobby Sherlock, and Mortgage and Protection Adviser, Anne Preston, are licensed to advise in this area.

Stan Sherlock Associates is a financial planning firm based in Carlisle and invests regularly in updating the skills and qualifications of its team to ensure clients receive the highest levels of advice.

Stan Sherlock Associates | For lifelong financial success

Please contact one of the team on 01228 598821 or email us on info@stansherlock.com to discuss your individual requirements.

A lifetime mortgage is not suitable for everyone and may affect your entitlement to means tested benefits, so it is important to seek financial advice before taking any action. If you are considering releasing equity from your home, you should consider all options available before equity release.

The interest that may be accrued over the long term with a Lifetime Mortgage, may mean it is not the cheapest solution. As interest is charged on both the original loan and the interest that has been added, the amount you owe will increase over time, reducing the equity left in your home and the value of any inheritance, potentially to nothing.

Although the final decision is yours, you are encouraged to discuss your plans with your family and beneficiaries, as a Lifetime Mortgage could have an impact on any potential inheritance. We would also encourage you to invite them to join any meetings with your Financial Adviser so they can ask questions and join in the decision, as we believe it is better to discuss your decision with them before you go ahead.

Approved by the Openwork Partnership on 27/09/2023

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Buying a New-build? Let us help you!

Buying a New-build? Let us help you!

You’ve seen your dream home, you’re buying it off plan and you get to choose all your own finishes. But first you need to finance it! For most people that means getting a mortgage. We’re here to make that process stress free and ensure you get the finances you need to the right people at the right time.

We’re here to look after you.

How we help you:

When you use us to help you find a mortgage, we aim to get the right deal for you; because we are experts in the newbuild mortgage market and understand each lender’s strict lending criteria. You and your family are at the heart of all our research – we build a bespoke finance package to make it work for you. You benefit from our access to exclusive new build deals that you won’t find on the high street.

Making it as easy as possible:

We want you to enjoy the process of buying your new home so we do the leg work. You give us the documentation and we package it up correctly for the lender and provide you with real time updates throughout the buying process. You can access our systems and your data via our secure mortgage portal – logging in whenever you choose. You don’t need to worry about liaising with professionals. We will deal with the developer and the solicitor on your behalf, ensuring they are kept up to date throughout the buying process.

Beyond the purchase:

You have the option to have your mortgage reviewed after your fixed rate period. This ensures you stay on the right rate for your circumstances. You will have access to your adviser and our business support team after your mortgage has completed to ensure your financial plans always remain up to date. You don’t need to worry about dates and deadlines we will get in touch with you when your mortgage deal needs to be reviewed. We don’t just look at your mortgage in isolation – we consider the wider plan; children, inheritance and retirement.

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE

Approved by the Openwork Partnership on 16/10/2023

PHOTO CREDIT: The Paddock, Northern Developments, Carlisle:

Home – The Paddock

Let luxury welcome you home with an exclusive collection of highly desirable two, three and four-bedroom homes and apartments in Carlisle.

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Behind every successful adviser is ….

Behind every successful adviser is ….

For us the answer to this is… a fantastic business support team! Every adviser we’ve had work with us, since we were founded in 1989, has been a success. This is no coincidence. Yes we’d like to take credit for talent spotting but really it’s the graft that goes on behind the scenes that ensures our advisers and therefore our clients are successful! At Stan Sherlock Associates we understand the importance of a strong business support team and invest in our team and processes to ensure our client experience is as stress free as possible and ultimately ends in client success. That’s why every adviser gets full administration support and every one of our business support team warriors is integral to client success. It makes sense that many hands make light work! This includes your finances! Your adviser will meet you, get to know you, your family and your financial goals or ambitions. They will build a bespoke solution for you, with your needs at the heart of it and then… when the going gets tough and lenders or providers require chasing or solicitors need updating, or documents needs filing safely or you have questions about the system… the Business Support Team takes action! The work that goes on behind the scenes to get you your home, or the perfect pension plan can be hours and hours. Hours of research and advice from your adviser and then hours of compliance, chasing and maintaining professional relationships with our contacts from our business support team. We love it! We know that every step of the way, every minute on hold, every contact we chase on your behalf makes your life easier and takes that extra bit of life admin off your desk. Our advisers and their relationship with you is at the core of what we do but never underestimate the power of a fantastic business support team. Just like ours!
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