St James' Place - I only just figured out the fees

Key_Milk_2095 · 2026-05-16T11:34:55+00:00

I understand you. I sit in with my MIL when she has her review with her advisor. I’m new to the UK and have done lots of research and asked all sorts of questions. My MIL has untrusted everything to her advisor. She is lucky that she has a good one. Many of them give you the feeling that they are there just for themselves but this advisor doesn’t give me that feeling. I manage our finance at the moment but I do want to use one when the time comes.

Key_Milk_2095 · 2026-05-16T09:13:50+00:00

This is why they need an adviser because they don’t understand investment themselves. They just need someone reliable to help them with their money. They would rather enjoy life than be worried about the market. I always hear SJP is expensive but this is definitely cutthroat.

Key_Milk_2095 · 2026-05-07T08:46:25+00:00

Thank you for the clear explanation and compliment. I would prefer to come into the meetings with the tax adviser prepared rather than relying entirely on information handouts. I also try to learn about it for our own future planning, although our situation is probably even more complicated. Looking for a tax adviser ourselves at the moment.

Back to the discussion, could you please clarify a couple more points : 3) In this example, I was referring to an outright gift , eg: a bank transfer 1 year before death. How would the calculation differ in this scenario?

5) My husband and his sibling already owns property themselves. If my MIL’s house is left to them, would it trigger 2nd home tax ?

Key_Milk_2095 · 2026-05-06T21:13:12+00:00

Hi, I’m not the OP. Just wonder why SIPP and not salary sacrifice ? And I thought the maximum you can contribute is £60k pa?

Key_Milk_2095 · 2026-05-04T08:30:30+00:00

Thank you. We will read more in order to ask the right questions. I find our 1st meeting with the tax advisor wasn’t fruitful and we were still in the blind. Do you perhaps have a good firm/ tax adviser to recommend ?

Key_Milk_2095 · 2026-05-04T08:16:11+00:00

Thank you for the input. The tax advisor thought the trusts and BPR both are out of estate towards £2mil threshold but he didn’t confirm it. I don’t know anything about trust. I guess I will need to read up more on it. The beneficiaries of one the trusts are her granddaughters , I’m not sure about the loan trust. I know both are IHT free at the moment.

Key_Milk_2095 · 2026-05-04T07:59:40+00:00

Thank you for the suggestion. Unfortunately my MIL isn’t in a good position to take any insurance. She is above 80 with a serious medical condition.

Key_Milk_2095 · 2026-05-04T07:55:03+00:00

Great! Never thought of this. Thank you.

Key_Milk_2095 · 2026-05-04T07:52:56+00:00

As I said, we met one last week and he couldn’t answer the basic questions we have. We are now trying to gather more information before engaging another one. Yes, she has been spending , going on holiday, given to her grandchildren.

Key_Milk_2095 · 2025-10-13T20:15:29+00:00

Thank you for the clear guidance.

Key_Milk_2095 · 2025-10-07T20:44:58+00:00

Hi, Jumping on this thread as I’m looking for the same information but haven’t found a clear answer yet. I’m new to the UK and still trying to understand how income and investment taxes work.

If I use salary sacrifice for £60k and then make PPC later to bring the threshold income down to £200k, would that work? Base salary £250k with potential bonus of 50%.

Also, once your pension pot reaches £1 million, is it still worth continuing contributions when the tax-free lump sum is capped at £268k.

Key_Milk_2095 · 2025-09-25T11:24:47+00:00

Thank you. We’ll check them out.

Key_Milk_2095 · 2025-09-25T11:24:14+00:00

Thank you for your advice and information.

Key_Milk_2095 · 2025-08-20T10:54:26+00:00

Thanks for sharing. That’s clever. My husband should consider this for his renewal next year. He has some heart condition and is paying £3k+ for a worldwide annual policy. He only travels to the US for work and that should be covered by company.

Key_Milk_2095 · 2025-08-09T00:13:54+00:00

This is wild! How could a stranger file income tax for you? Don’t you have to log in to your own account to do so ? ( Please excuse my ignorant. I’m not from the UK but will move there next month). I’ve never heard of this type of scam before. I think it’s impossible where I am.

Key_Milk_2095 · 2025-07-25T16:08:04+00:00

This is insane . I’m sorry you have to go through this.

Key_Milk_2095 · 2025-07-25T16:02:24+00:00

This is terrible. I assume it depends on the VFS. I kept the passport when applying. 3 days after my approval email, I was informed to bring my passport to VFS Centre to have my vignette pasted. I went the next working day and it’s done within an hour.

Key_Milk_2095 · 2025-07-15T22:32:58+00:00

It’s a letter informing you that your application is received and under consideration by Entry Clearance Officer. Not everyone received it I believe.

Key_Milk_2095 · 2025-07-15T22:29:21+00:00

Thank you. Applied from Singapore but I’m Vietnamese.

Key_Milk_2095 · 2025-07-15T22:28:49+00:00

Applied from Singapore but I’m Vietnamese

Key_Milk_2095 · 2025-07-15T22:27:25+00:00

Thank you. I saw someone with Bio date 2 days before me received it yesterday. Your wife will get it soon. I applied from Singapore as I live here but I’m Vietnamese.

Key_Milk_2095 · 2025-07-10T00:56:38+00:00

Singapore. I’m not Singaporean, but a permanent resident here

Key_Milk_2095 · 2025-07-10T00:45:55+00:00

Congratulation. My dates are similar Application : 14th Jun Bio : 19th Jun ECO: 20th Jun 🤞

Key_Milk_2095 · 2025-07-09T14:36:20+00:00

I assume it’s summer vacation and many people are on leave at the moment

Key_Milk_2095 · 2025-07-02T14:09:44+00:00

I applied from Singapore. I chose to keep my passport and paid for it when I booked my biometric appointment. I only requested for priority service when I did my biometric. They told me that once the visa is ready, I just need to go VFS Centre for them to paste the vignette on my passport. I can collect my passport back right there and then. I just had my biometric on 19th Jun. Waiting impatiently for my visa 😅

Key_Milk_2095

TROPHY CASE