Lesson from Australia: Retirement benefits don’t have to bankrupt us November 20, 2012 WHEN The Who’s Roger Daltrey first sang “I hope I die before I get old,” he was probably not planning on receiving the winter fuel allowance. Yet 47 years later, at some stage this month a £200 cheque from the UK taxpayer will drop through his letterbox. Daltrey is one of a growing number of [...]
Cheating students hold the key to better government decision-making November 20, 2012 WHAT is the connection between executive pay, petty crime, and plagiarism by students? Economics can help us with the solution. It all links back to the concept of externalities. To illustrate the idea, economists use the example of a factory, which imposes costs on others through pollution. But Thomas Schelling, a Nobel Prize winner, extended [...]
Should the government consider lowering the level of tax relief on private pensions? November 20, 2012 YES Vidhya Alakeson Britain could raise up to £1.5bn by limiting tax relief on the very largest personal pensions – those built on lifetime savings of more than £1m. This would affect only very wealthy savers and seems necessary in these straitened times, when deep welfare cuts are underway. The money saved from pension tax [...]
Rapid responses November 20, 2012 Practical pensions [Re: The Ostrich Generation, yesterday] I imagine that one of the main reasons young people are not placing much faith in the future of their pensions is their lack of confidence and certainty about the future more generally. If someone is in their mid-20s, three or four decades is a long way ahead. [...]
Japan’s election is likely to bring weakness in yen November 20, 2012 WHEN a stagnant economy meets a turbulent political environment, expect volatility. Traders spying an opportunity might want to cast their eyes to the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan. Over the last two decades, yen bears have been brutally battered as the currency has soared. Since 2007, dollar-yen has fallen by over 60 per cent. [...]
Being good helps business prosper November 20, 2012 How the Corporate Governance Code had some positive results IF YOU’RE prepared to spend up to £5,000, there’s still time to get front row seats to a celebration of 50 years of “the greatest rock and roll band in the world” – the Rolling Stones are playing at the O2 at the end of November. [...]
Ultimate luxury – but at what cost? November 20, 2012 How much is too much? How much should a flagship luxurious saloon car cost? What about the world’s most luxurious Jag? At £120,000, Jaguar’s XJ Ultimate isn’t cheap. Powered by JLR’s 5.0-litre V8 supercharged petrol engine, this limo is capable of 0-62mph in just 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 155mph. From the outside [...]
‘Tis the season at One New Change November 20, 2012 Working THE Christmas party circuit like a professional this festive season could give your career, social life and even relationship a helping nudge along if done with grace, style and panache. But let’s face it, it’s tough out there. The discerning society high flyer needs to look super sleek, knowing their Moët & Chandon from [...]
TOP TEN Etiquette RULES November 20, 2012 AS MUCH as the office Christmas party is something to look forward to, it can often be a bit of a mine field as far as etiquette is concerned but don’t worry, Debrett’s has every eventuality covered. Established in 1769, Debrett’s has long been recognised as the authority on British etiquette and its publications cover [...]
The Ostrich generation November 19, 2012 BRITAIN’S young savers are wildly underestimating how much they need to save each month for a comfortable retirement, after a national survey found just one in 10 is putting money aside for a pension – despite having high expectations for their final pension pots. Just 12 per cent of Britons between 25-34 years old are [...]
