@retireeinvestor.bsky.social
Surprised that I cannot see any mention of #carersrights day in most UK newspapers even @theguardian.com - I hope I missed it...
Important for people to know their rights but also important for lobbying for new rights for all who are lifelong carers...
@johnharris1969.bsky.social
Important for people to know their rights but also important for lobbying for new rights for all who are lifelong carers...
@johnharris1969.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Surprised that I cannot see any mention of #carersrights day in most UK newspapers even @theguardian.com - I hope I missed it...
Important for people to know their rights but also important for lobbying for new rights for all who are lifelong carers...
@johnharris1969.bsky.social
Important for people to know their rights but also important for lobbying for new rights for all who are lifelong carers...
@johnharris1969.bsky.social
Lots of sensible suggestions in this great piece by @danneidle.bsky.social on tax reform. Also highlights the enduring damage of pointless debates on wealth taxes.
Stop talking about wealth taxes — make these reforms instead on.ft.com/4pgpzwx | opinion
Stop talking about wealth taxes — make these reforms instead
Any sane discussion of changes that both right and left could agree on is being crowded out by tax populism
on.ft.com
September 13, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Lots of sensible suggestions in this great piece by @danneidle.bsky.social on tax reform. Also highlights the enduring damage of pointless debates on wealth taxes.
More retirement couples might find it useful to consider a joint annuity where the survivor gets 100% of the payment. Can be useful for securing a basic income for both lives.
in response to good piece in FT by Robert Budden on bonds & annuities.
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/how-rising...
in response to good piece in FT by Robert Budden on bonds & annuities.
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/how-rising...
How rising bond yields are boosting annuity buyers
Perhaps more couples should consider joint annuities to secure a portion of their income - and pay 100% survivor benefits.
retireeinvestor.substack.com
September 13, 2025 at 9:26 AM
More retirement couples might find it useful to consider a joint annuity where the survivor gets 100% of the payment. Can be useful for securing a basic income for both lives.
in response to good piece in FT by Robert Budden on bonds & annuities.
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/how-rising...
in response to good piece in FT by Robert Budden on bonds & annuities.
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/how-rising...
WIth high rates on offer & changes to IHT treatment of pensions, its not surprising that annuities are making a comeback. Couples might wish to consider joint annuities offering 100% survivor benefits which can be bought with modest income reduction.
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/annuities-...
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/annuities-...
Annuities make a comeback as savers look to beat inheritance tax - The Times - August 19
With rates at an all-time high - it's unsurprising that there is an increasing number of people opting in. Here I highlight the value of annuities with 100% joint survivor benefits
retireeinvestor.substack.com
August 27, 2025 at 12:32 PM
WIth high rates on offer & changes to IHT treatment of pensions, its not surprising that annuities are making a comeback. Couples might wish to consider joint annuities offering 100% survivor benefits which can be bought with modest income reduction.
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/annuities-...
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/annuities-...
Great stuff - thanks for highlighting it @johnharris1969.bsky.social - have you seen this one..
June 12, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Great stuff - thanks for highlighting it @johnharris1969.bsky.social - have you seen this one..
Are equities always better in the long run?
John Ralphe's fascinating article in @financialtimes.com suggests that the lack of a cheap guaranteed equity product suggests that equities may not always outperform in the long run.
My brief take ...
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/are-equiti...
John Ralphe's fascinating article in @financialtimes.com suggests that the lack of a cheap guaranteed equity product suggests that equities may not always outperform in the long run.
My brief take ...
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/are-equiti...
Are equities always better in the long term?
John Ralphe's fascinating article in the FT suggests that a lack of a cheap guaranteed equity product indicates that equities may not always outperform in the long run.
retireeinvestor.substack.com
June 10, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Are equities always better in the long run?
John Ralphe's fascinating article in @financialtimes.com suggests that the lack of a cheap guaranteed equity product suggests that equities may not always outperform in the long run.
My brief take ...
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/are-equiti...
John Ralphe's fascinating article in @financialtimes.com suggests that the lack of a cheap guaranteed equity product suggests that equities may not always outperform in the long run.
My brief take ...
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/are-equiti...
Invest in the best companies says Simon Edelsten in the @financialtimes.com - I agree but surely it's not that simple. And not entirely decoupled from business location which will continue to play a role in driving business fundamentals & profitability.
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/simply-inv...
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/simply-inv...
Simply invest in the best
A response to Simon Edelsten's article in the FT "Investors must not let the tariff drama cloud their judgment"
retireeinvestor.substack.com
June 10, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Invest in the best companies says Simon Edelsten in the @financialtimes.com - I agree but surely it's not that simple. And not entirely decoupled from business location which will continue to play a role in driving business fundamentals & profitability.
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/simply-inv...
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/simply-inv...
Further evidence - as if needed - of inefficiency of means testing universal benefits. Better to let the tax system do the work...Completely avoidable mishandling.. #winterfuelallowance
www.ft.com/content/54ff...
My take at retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/time-to-re...
www.ft.com/content/54ff...
My take at retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/time-to-re...
UK considers taxing pensioners to claw back winter fuel payment
Plans are being looked at following Starmer’s policy U-turn this week, say officials
www.ft.com
May 30, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Further evidence - as if needed - of inefficiency of means testing universal benefits. Better to let the tax system do the work...Completely avoidable mishandling.. #winterfuelallowance
www.ft.com/content/54ff...
My take at retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/time-to-re...
www.ft.com/content/54ff...
My take at retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/time-to-re...
Great reporting on #carersallowanceoverpayment scandal by @joshhalliday.bsky.social & @patrickjbutler.bsky.social
Dreadful situation, can be resolved, see post below.. 1 solution - remove earnings threshold & forgive debt @wecarecampaign.bsky.social
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/who-cares
Dreadful situation, can be resolved, see post below.. 1 solution - remove earnings threshold & forgive debt @wecarecampaign.bsky.social
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/who-cares
May 29, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Great reporting on #carersallowanceoverpayment scandal by @joshhalliday.bsky.social & @patrickjbutler.bsky.social
Dreadful situation, can be resolved, see post below.. 1 solution - remove earnings threshold & forgive debt @wecarecampaign.bsky.social
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/who-cares
Dreadful situation, can be resolved, see post below.. 1 solution - remove earnings threshold & forgive debt @wecarecampaign.bsky.social
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/who-cares
@eddavey.libdems.org.uk - good work on carers. Urgent question needed on CA review is taking so long!! Solution - remove the earnings threshold & cancel all investigations. CA is taxable so anyone earning the current threshold will pay income tax.
More at:
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/who-cares
More at:
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/who-cares
Who Cares?
On the scandal of Carers Allowance
retireeinvestor.substack.com
May 28, 2025 at 12:59 PM
@eddavey.libdems.org.uk - good work on carers. Urgent question needed on CA review is taking so long!! Solution - remove the earnings threshold & cancel all investigations. CA is taxable so anyone earning the current threshold will pay income tax.
More at:
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/who-cares
More at:
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/who-cares
Dividend payments tend to polarise views of investors - far more than buyback schemes. The great investors, Terry Smith & Warren Buffett are opposed - preferring total return approach..
My take on dividends at: tinyurl.com/yck8r9u7
My take on dividends at: tinyurl.com/yck8r9u7
May 28, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Dividend payments tend to polarise views of investors - far more than buyback schemes. The great investors, Terry Smith & Warren Buffett are opposed - preferring total return approach..
My take on dividends at: tinyurl.com/yck8r9u7
My take on dividends at: tinyurl.com/yck8r9u7
Brilliant review of @eddavey.libdems.org.uk book on unpaid care by @johnharris1969.bsky.social ...
My simple & prosaic piece on how to resolve the carers allowance scandal...simplest solution - remove earnings limit & forgive debt..more at retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/who-cares
My simple & prosaic piece on how to resolve the carers allowance scandal...simplest solution - remove earnings limit & forgive debt..more at retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/who-cares
May 27, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Brilliant review of @eddavey.libdems.org.uk book on unpaid care by @johnharris1969.bsky.social ...
My simple & prosaic piece on how to resolve the carers allowance scandal...simplest solution - remove earnings limit & forgive debt..more at retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/who-cares
My simple & prosaic piece on how to resolve the carers allowance scandal...simplest solution - remove earnings limit & forgive debt..more at retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/who-cares
@johnharris1969.bsky.social - a tireless advocate for SEN, disability rights etc. Thank you for great writing. My piece on carers allowance scandal - we could ditch the earnings limit for CA. Or annualise earnings. A year-long review to take action?
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/who-cares
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/who-cares
May 27, 2025 at 1:37 PM
@johnharris1969.bsky.social - a tireless advocate for SEN, disability rights etc. Thank you for great writing. My piece on carers allowance scandal - we could ditch the earnings limit for CA. Or annualise earnings. A year-long review to take action?
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/who-cares
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/who-cares
Warren Buffett described them as a "bad dream" & Terry Smith as "folly". But are dividend payments really so bad? SureIy it depends on what shareholders then do with the funds?
See my piece at:
tinyurl.com/yck8r9u7
@fundsmithllp.bsky.social, @robarmstrong.bsky.social, @iankmsmith.ft.com
See my piece at:
tinyurl.com/yck8r9u7
@fundsmithllp.bsky.social, @robarmstrong.bsky.social, @iankmsmith.ft.com
Is there a case for dividends?
Warren Buffett described them as a "bad dream" and Terry Smith as a "folly. But are dividend payments really so bad? SureIy it depends on what shareholders then do with the funds?
tinyurl.com
May 27, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Warren Buffett described them as a "bad dream" & Terry Smith as "folly". But are dividend payments really so bad? SureIy it depends on what shareholders then do with the funds?
See my piece at:
tinyurl.com/yck8r9u7
@fundsmithllp.bsky.social, @robarmstrong.bsky.social, @iankmsmith.ft.com
See my piece at:
tinyurl.com/yck8r9u7
@fundsmithllp.bsky.social, @robarmstrong.bsky.social, @iankmsmith.ft.com
A moving piece for any reader - particularly for those of us with lived experience of caring for disabled children...Sense of loss, hopelessness & isolation from mainstream society can be sometimes (often) overwhelming. Well done to @archiebland.bsky.social & good luck in the coming years..
I wrote for the Guardian’s Saturday magazine about my son Max, who changed how I see the world. Took ages. More jokes after the first bit.
Thanks Merope Mills for being the most patient and generous editor.
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Thanks Merope Mills for being the most patient and generous editor.
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
The boy who came back: the near-death, and changed life, of my son Max
It was, we were told, a case of sudden infant death syndrome interrupted. What followed would transform my understanding of parenting, disability and the breadth of what makes a meaningful life
www.theguardian.com
May 25, 2025 at 12:31 PM
A moving piece for any reader - particularly for those of us with lived experience of caring for disabled children...Sense of loss, hopelessness & isolation from mainstream society can be sometimes (often) overwhelming. Well done to @archiebland.bsky.social & good luck in the coming years..
much deserved aware for @patrickjbutler.bsky.social & @joshhalliday.bsky.social for their work on the #carersallowance scandal.
Is a review of carers allowance required? Not if the govt simply removes the earnings threshold...
Is a review of carers allowance required? Not if the govt simply removes the earnings threshold...
Truly deserved award for @patrickjbutler.bsky.social and @joshhalliday.bsky.social on their Carer's Allowance Scandal work - you can see the impact and importance their reporting has had here:
www.theguardian.com/society/seri...
www.theguardian.com/society/seri...
May 21, 2025 at 8:13 PM
much deserved aware for @patrickjbutler.bsky.social & @joshhalliday.bsky.social for their work on the #carersallowance scandal.
Is a review of carers allowance required? Not if the govt simply removes the earnings threshold...
Is a review of carers allowance required? Not if the govt simply removes the earnings threshold...
@rosaltmann.bsky.social on #winterfuel - means testing of benefits & allowances does not work. The tax system can resolve this issue & there are many easier ways to raise tax receipts @danneidle.bsky.social is the expert..
My post on winter fuel retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/time-to-re...
My post on winter fuel retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/time-to-re...
May 21, 2025 at 5:02 PM
@rosaltmann.bsky.social on #winterfuel - means testing of benefits & allowances does not work. The tax system can resolve this issue & there are many easier ways to raise tax receipts @danneidle.bsky.social is the expert..
My post on winter fuel retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/time-to-re...
My post on winter fuel retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/time-to-re...
Who Cares - the scandal of #carersallowance
tinyurl.com/4whf2n5h
Let’s hope Carers Allowance review makes 2 recommendations.Remove the earnings limit & cease all investigations (& forgive all outstanding debts).
@joshhalliday.bsky.social
@carers-uk.bsky.social @patrickjbutler.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/4whf2n5h
Let’s hope Carers Allowance review makes 2 recommendations.Remove the earnings limit & cease all investigations (& forgive all outstanding debts).
@joshhalliday.bsky.social
@carers-uk.bsky.social @patrickjbutler.bsky.social
Who Cares?
On the scandal of Carers Allowance
tinyurl.com
May 21, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Who Cares - the scandal of #carersallowance
tinyurl.com/4whf2n5h
Let’s hope Carers Allowance review makes 2 recommendations.Remove the earnings limit & cease all investigations (& forgive all outstanding debts).
@joshhalliday.bsky.social
@carers-uk.bsky.social @patrickjbutler.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/4whf2n5h
Let’s hope Carers Allowance review makes 2 recommendations.Remove the earnings limit & cease all investigations (& forgive all outstanding debts).
@joshhalliday.bsky.social
@carers-uk.bsky.social @patrickjbutler.bsky.social
Post on continuing scandal of carers allowance
tinyurl.com/4whf2n5h
Earn 1p >£196 p.w. lose 100% of #CA
Solutions (a) annualise earnings threshold or better (b) remove earnings threshold
@joshhalliday.bsky.social, @patrickjbutler.bsky.social
@privateeyenews.bsky.social
#carersallowancescandal
tinyurl.com/4whf2n5h
Earn 1p >£196 p.w. lose 100% of #CA
Solutions (a) annualise earnings threshold or better (b) remove earnings threshold
@joshhalliday.bsky.social, @patrickjbutler.bsky.social
@privateeyenews.bsky.social
#carersallowancescandal
Who Cares?
On the scandal of Carers Allowance
tinyurl.com
May 21, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Post on continuing scandal of carers allowance
tinyurl.com/4whf2n5h
Earn 1p >£196 p.w. lose 100% of #CA
Solutions (a) annualise earnings threshold or better (b) remove earnings threshold
@joshhalliday.bsky.social, @patrickjbutler.bsky.social
@privateeyenews.bsky.social
#carersallowancescandal
tinyurl.com/4whf2n5h
Earn 1p >£196 p.w. lose 100% of #CA
Solutions (a) annualise earnings threshold or better (b) remove earnings threshold
@joshhalliday.bsky.social, @patrickjbutler.bsky.social
@privateeyenews.bsky.social
#carersallowancescandal
Could pension sharing help address the gender pension gap?
Gender pension gap is a big problem in the UK. The govt could include pension sharing into the upcoming pension reforms.
tinyurl.com/2kp8skm8
@torstenbell.bsky.social @stevewebb1.bsky.social @rosaltmann.bsky.social @marymcd.bsky.social
Gender pension gap is a big problem in the UK. The govt could include pension sharing into the upcoming pension reforms.
tinyurl.com/2kp8skm8
@torstenbell.bsky.social @stevewebb1.bsky.social @rosaltmann.bsky.social @marymcd.bsky.social
Could pension sharing help address the gender pension gap
Could pension sharing help address the gender pension gap
retireeinvestor.substack.com
May 18, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Could pension sharing help address the gender pension gap?
Gender pension gap is a big problem in the UK. The govt could include pension sharing into the upcoming pension reforms.
tinyurl.com/2kp8skm8
@torstenbell.bsky.social @stevewebb1.bsky.social @rosaltmann.bsky.social @marymcd.bsky.social
Gender pension gap is a big problem in the UK. The govt could include pension sharing into the upcoming pension reforms.
tinyurl.com/2kp8skm8
@torstenbell.bsky.social @stevewebb1.bsky.social @rosaltmann.bsky.social @marymcd.bsky.social
My post on the winter fuel allowance
tinyurl.com/meky22np
Winter fuel policy - badly timed, badly thought out & bad politics. Ditch means-testing approach, make the allowance taxable & recover around £300-400m from the 8-9 million tax paying pensioners.
@stevewebb1.bsky.social @theguardian.com
tinyurl.com/meky22np
Winter fuel policy - badly timed, badly thought out & bad politics. Ditch means-testing approach, make the allowance taxable & recover around £300-400m from the 8-9 million tax paying pensioners.
@stevewebb1.bsky.social @theguardian.com
Sign in to Diary of a Retiree Investor
retireeinvestor.substack.com
May 18, 2025 at 8:40 AM
My post on the winter fuel allowance
tinyurl.com/meky22np
Winter fuel policy - badly timed, badly thought out & bad politics. Ditch means-testing approach, make the allowance taxable & recover around £300-400m from the 8-9 million tax paying pensioners.
@stevewebb1.bsky.social @theguardian.com
tinyurl.com/meky22np
Winter fuel policy - badly timed, badly thought out & bad politics. Ditch means-testing approach, make the allowance taxable & recover around £300-400m from the 8-9 million tax paying pensioners.
@stevewebb1.bsky.social @theguardian.com
Can Fundsmith Equity return to its former glory?
I watched the entertaining 2025 Annual Meeting to see what I could learn and whether investors might expect performance to return to historic norms any time soon.
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/can-fundsm...
I watched the entertaining 2025 Annual Meeting to see what I could learn and whether investors might expect performance to return to historic norms any time soon.
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/can-fundsm...
Can Fundsmith Equity return to its former glory?
I watched the 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting to see what I could learn from the managers about recent events and whether investors might expect performance to return to historic norms any time soon.
retireeinvestor.substack.com
March 23, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Can Fundsmith Equity return to its former glory?
I watched the entertaining 2025 Annual Meeting to see what I could learn and whether investors might expect performance to return to historic norms any time soon.
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/can-fundsm...
I watched the entertaining 2025 Annual Meeting to see what I could learn and whether investors might expect performance to return to historic norms any time soon.
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/can-fundsm...
A 4-step process for evaluating investment funds.
1. Longevity; 2. Performance vs all world index. 3. Volatility (maximum drawdown); 4. Context - some funds play a very specific role in a portfolio (income, growth, insurance)..
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/assessing-...
1. Longevity; 2. Performance vs all world index. 3. Volatility (maximum drawdown); 4. Context - some funds play a very specific role in a portfolio (income, growth, insurance)..
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/assessing-...
Assessing investment funds
A simple 4-step approach to evaluating investment funds.
retireeinvestor.substack.com
March 11, 2025 at 4:57 PM
A 4-step process for evaluating investment funds.
1. Longevity; 2. Performance vs all world index. 3. Volatility (maximum drawdown); 4. Context - some funds play a very specific role in a portfolio (income, growth, insurance)..
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/assessing-...
1. Longevity; 2. Performance vs all world index. 3. Volatility (maximum drawdown); 4. Context - some funds play a very specific role in a portfolio (income, growth, insurance)..
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/assessing-...
Are my funds still right for my portfolio?
In this post I describe my simple method to help me double check that my funds are still right for my portfolio.
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/are-my-fun...
In this post I describe my simple method to help me double check that my funds are still right for my portfolio.
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/are-my-fun...
Are my funds still right for my portfolio?
In this post I describe my simple checklist / scorecard to help me double check that my funds are still right for my portfolio.
retireeinvestor.substack.com
March 10, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Are my funds still right for my portfolio?
In this post I describe my simple method to help me double check that my funds are still right for my portfolio.
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/are-my-fun...
In this post I describe my simple method to help me double check that my funds are still right for my portfolio.
retireeinvestor.substack.com/p/are-my-fun...
Anyone who was able to fully subscribe to ISAs (and precursors) each year between 1999-2024 would have made >£1m if invested in up to 50 different investment trusts..- nice piece from the AIC...#investing #investmenttrusts #theaic
www.theaic.co.uk/aic/news/pre...
www.theaic.co.uk/aic/news/pre...
The 50 investment trusts that would have made you an ISA millionaire
Allianz Technology Trust is top performer with a return of nearly £3 million.
www.theaic.co.uk
March 10, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Anyone who was able to fully subscribe to ISAs (and precursors) each year between 1999-2024 would have made >£1m if invested in up to 50 different investment trusts..- nice piece from the AIC...#investing #investmenttrusts #theaic
www.theaic.co.uk/aic/news/pre...
www.theaic.co.uk/aic/news/pre...