Answers to common questions

We provide restricted advice. This means we do not consider every product available on the market. We start with a panel of established, mainstream providers, as many clients feel more comfortable with names they know. If none of those providers has something suitable for your needs, we can look more widely across the market.

We will always explain the basis of our advice, and how we are paid, before we begin.

Every situation is different, so we will explain our charges clearly, and confirm them in writing, before we carry out any work you need to pay for. That way you can decide whether to go ahead, with no surprises later.

Yes. As well as seeing clients at our office at 20 High Street, Newbridge, we can visit you at home or another convenient place, during the day or in the evening.

We are based in Newbridge and our advisers cover Wales and the West, including Newport, Cardiff, Caerphilly, Cwmbran and Blackwood. If you live further afield, give us a call and we will let you know how we can help.

It helps to have details of any pensions, investments, savings and insurance policies you already hold, recent statements if you have them, and an idea of your income and regular outgoings. Do not worry if you cannot find everything, as we can help you gather the details.

The earlier the better. Saving even a small amount early can make a real difference to the lifestyle you enjoy later. It is never too late to review where you stand, though, and good planning in the years before you retire can make a big difference too.

Yes. We can review the pensions you already hold, explain how each one works and what it could provide, and talk you through your options.

Combining pensions is not always the right choice. Some older schemes include valuable guarantees or benefits that could be lost if you transfer, so each one needs to be looked at carefully.

From 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds and pension death benefits are due to be included in the value of your estate for inheritance tax. Some benefits, such as death in service benefits from registered pension schemes, are expected to stay outside the change.

If your pension is part of your plans for your family, it is worth reviewing your nominations and your wider estate plan. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may change in the future.

Your attitude to risk is how comfortable you are with the value of your money rising and falling in exchange for the chance of higher returns. We talk it through with you, alongside how much of a loss you could afford and how long you plan to invest, so any recommendation matches your circumstances.

The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you invest.

It depends on when you will need the money and how much risk you are comfortable with. Cash ISAs can suit money you may need in the shorter term, while stocks and shares ISAs offer the potential for higher growth over the longer term, with the risk that their value falls.

ISA rules and allowances can change, so we will help you choose the right mix for you.

We offer a range of carefully constructed, risk-rated portfolios, including discretionary fund management, where a professional investment manager makes day-to-day decisions within limits agreed with you. We can also review your investments with you as your circumstances change.

It depends on the value of your estate, who you leave it to and the allowances available to you. With the pension changes due from April 2027, more families may find they are affected. A review will show you where you stand and the options that may help.

Some forms of tax and inheritance tax planning are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Yes. Our advisers work closely with suitably qualified professionals to help you put wills, trusts and lasting powers of attorney in place, so your financial plan and your legal documents work together.

Will writing, trusts and powers of attorney are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

A lasting power of attorney (LPA) lets people you trust make decisions for you if you lose the mental capacity to make them yourself. It must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used.

A general power of attorney covers financial decisions only. It can be used straight away, but it is only valid while you still have the capacity to make your own decisions.

Mortgage advice is provided by Bright Financial Affiliates Ltd, a separate firm we work closely with. We can introduce you, and they will guide you through the process from application to completion. You can also visit brightfa.co.uk.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

We only use your information to provide our services and to meet our legal and regulatory obligations. You can read the full details in our privacy policy.

We hope you will never need to, but if you are unhappy with our service, please contact us by email at admin@pwmfinancial.co.uk, by phone on 01633 746 278, or in writing to Personal Wealth Management, 20 High Street, Newbridge, Newport, NP11 4EZ.

If you are not satisfied with our final response, or we have not resolved your complaint within eight weeks, you may be able to refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service free of charge. You will usually need to do this within six months of our final response. Visit financial-ombudsman.org.uk or call 0800 023 4567.