SAVINGS & INVESTMENTS

Defining Your Financial Objectives

Selecting the optimal investment and savings strategy is fundamental to realizing your financial aspirations. Your ideal approach hinges on articulating your specific objectives and delineating the timeline for their attainment. Here are essential objectives to contemplate:

Tax-Efficient Saving

Maximize your savings potential by minimizing tax exposure.

Growth Potential

Pursue investment avenues with promising growth prospects.

Cultivate a reliable income stream from your investments.

Cultivate a reliable income stream from your investments.

Education Provision

Secure funds to facilitate your children’s educational endeavors.

Inheritance Tax Management

Strategically navigate potential inheritance tax obligations.

Retirement Planning

Forge a robust plan to ensure a comfortable and secure retirement.

Asset Preservation

Safeguard your assets for the well-being of your dependents.

By meticulously delineating your needs and objectives, Horizon Associates stands poised to craft a bespoke strategy tailored precisely to your financial aspirations.

Why Consider Investing Through an International Jurisdiction?

While the notion of investing through international jurisdictions may seem daunting or reserved for seasoned investors, the reality is quite different. International jurisdictions such as the Isle of Man or Ireland present compelling advantages for investors of all backgrounds. At Horizon Associates, our adept financial advisers are equipped with the expertise to guide you through the process, ensuring seamless identification of your needs, recommendation of suitable solutions, and efficient implementation.

Key Advantages of Investing Through Horizon

Portability

For individuals embarking on international ventures or contemplating relocation, investing through an international jurisdiction offers invaluable flexibility. A primary advantage lies in the adaptability of wealth management solutions that can seamlessly transition with you as your circumstances evolve. However, it’s imperative to recognise that certain countries may impose restrictions, necessitating thorough consultation with your financial adviser to ensure compliance and suitability.

Navigating the intricacies of international investment landscapes requires nuanced understanding and strategic foresight. By entrusting your investment journey to Horizon, you gain access to tailored solutions designed to align with your objectives, irrespective of geographical boundaries.

Tax Planning

For many discerning investors, the tax advantages inherent in offshore investments hold significant appeal. Within the international jurisdictions we operate, investments can flourish with minimal exposure to income tax or capital gains tax. While tax obligations may arise upon withdrawal, prudent management with the guidance of a seasoned financial adviser can effectively mitigate long-term tax implications, optimizing the tax efficiency of your investment portfolio.

Withholding Tax

Certain funds may be subject to withholding tax, an unavoidable levy deducted at the source, typically from dividend income. While this tax cannot be reclaimed, strategic fund selection and portfolio diversification can help mitigate its impact.

Local Taxes on Withdrawals

Withdrawals from offshore investments may incur local taxes on realized gains. However, exercising control over the timing and quantum of withdrawals offers opportunities to minimize tax liabilities. Depending on your individual circumstances, it may be advantageous to defer withdrawals until residing in a jurisdiction with a lower tax regime or when your personal tax bracket is more favorable.

Navigating the complexities of international tax regimes demands astute planning and tailored strategies. By engaging with Horizon, you can proactively address tax considerations, optimising the tax efficiency of your offshore investments and maximising returns in alignment with your financial objectives.

Diversification

Our suite of products is meticulously crafted to transcend international borders, providing you with unparalleled investment flexibility. Through strategic diversification across a comprehensive array of funds and assets, tailored to your unique financial objectives and risk appetite, you can unlock substantial investment freedom.

Investing in our solutions empowers you to construct a diversified portfolio that offers

Exposure Beyond Borders

Access investment sectors and assets typically unavailable through local products, broadening your investment horizons and enhancing portfolio resilience.

Global Growth Opportunities

Seize opportunities presented by international growth cycles and thriving foreign economies. Diversifying across various geographical regions helps mitigate the risks inherent in any single economy, fostering robust and resilient investment strategies.

Expert Fund Management

Benefit from the expertise of some of the world’s leading fund managers. Leveraging their deep insights and seasoned judgment, you can navigate complex market dynamics with confidence.

Currency Risk Mitigation

Safeguard against potential depreciation in local currency rates by gaining exposure to more stable global currencies. This affords added stability and resilience to your investment portfolio.

At Horizon, we empower you to embrace the benefits of diversification on a global scale, ensuring your investments are strategically positioned to weather market volatility and capitalise on emerging opportunities.

UK expats

We specialise in providing tailored financial solutions for UK expatriates and individuals with a residency history in the UK, aiming to address potential exposure to UK Inheritance Tax (IHT). Through a range of meticulously crafted trusts, we offer strategies to effectively mitigate any associated tax liabilities.

In addition to our focus on IHT mitigation, we extend further tax benefits to returning UK investors. Notably, investors have the privilege of withdrawing up to 5% of their initial investment annually without incurring income tax. Moreover, the deferral of tax obligations until the complete withdrawal or surrender of the investment provides a strategic advantage for our clients.

Our investment solutions adhere to UK compliance standards, as recognised by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), categorising them as ‘non-income producing assets.’ This classification simplifies tax reporting requirements, typically exempting investors from detailed disclosures on self-assessment tax returns unless specific conditions are met, such as exceeding the 5% withdrawal threshold in a tax year or surrendering the policy.

At Horizon, we are committed to guiding our clients through a comprehensive exploration of potential tax mitigation strategies, ensuring their financial affairs are managed with prudence and foresight.

Should you require further information or wish to discuss your specific financial needs, we stand ready to assist.

 

Monitoring Your Investments

Once you’ve embarked on your investment journey with Horizon, it’s essential to stay informed about the performance and status of your portfolio. Questions like the current value of your investments, the performance of underlying assets, and recent transactions made by you or your financial adviser may arise.

Rest assured, your Horizon advisor conducts a comprehensive portfolio review every three months to ensure alignment with your objectives and market dynamics. Moreover, our convenient online services empower you to access this information at your convenience, providing transparency and control over your investment journey.

Investor Protection

As an offshore investor with Horizon, your peace of mind is paramount. Operating from well-regulated and secure offshore centers, we prioritise the financial security and stability of your investments. The robust regulatory frameworks in place mitigate risks associated with insolvency or financial instability.

In the unlikely event of a life company’s insolvency, investor protection schemes serve as a safety net for policyholders, facilitating compensation claims. However, it’s essential to note that the availability and specifics of such schemes, as well as the rights conferred upon individual policyholders, vary across jurisdictions.

With Horizon, you can trust in our commitment to safeguarding your investments and providing you with the assurance and security you deserve.

EDUCATION PLANNING

Imagine yourself sitting in the audience at your child’s graduation day, watching with pride as they approach the stage to receive their degree. The sound of applause fills the auditorium, echoing the joy and achievement of this momentous occasion. This overwhelming sense of pride is a testament to the years of hard work and dedication that have brought your child to this pivotal moment in their life.

MAKING THE ‘RIGHT’ CHOICES

While your child may seem young and their higher education may appear distant, now is the ideal time to start planning. As the costs of higher education continue to rise, early and regular savings are essential to secure the best opportunities for your child’s future. The earlier you start saving, the more affordable it will be in the long run.

WHEN CHOOSING THE RIGHT COURSE AND LOCATION FOR YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION, THERE ARE SEVERAL FACTORS TO CONSIDER:

Whether to study in your home country or abroad

The potential scale and increase in tuition fees

Available courses and teaching methods

Living costs and travel expenses

The cost of books and course materials

PLAN FOR THE FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE

A regular savings plan gives you the control and flexibility to make investment decisions that align with your goals. By starting early and maintaining disciplined savings habits, you can build a financial foundation that supports your child’s educational aspirations

Saving just EUR540 each month over a 20-year term, at a compound interest rate of only 2.748%, you could accumulate a fund value capable of covering EUR180,000 in education fees, when the time comes, with an additional lump sum at the end of the savings term. However, it’s important to note that as regular savings products are investment-linked, the value of your investment may fluctuate depending on market conditions.

INVESTING IN THEIR FUTURE

Investing in your child’s education is one of the most impactful decisions you can make as a parent. According to a U.S. Census Bureau report, individuals with higher levels of education tend to earn significantly more over their lifetime compared to those with only a high school diploma. With increased earning potential, a university degree can be a transformative investment in your child’s future prosperity and success.

In the words of Benjamin Franklin,

“AN INVESTMENT IN KNOWLEDGE ALWAYS PAYS THE BEST INTEREST.”

By prioritising your child’s education today, you’re laying the groundwork for a brighter and more prosperous tomorrow.

Understanding the Psychology of Investing

Embarking on the journey of investing can be intimidating, particularly for those new to the endeavor. It’s imperative to grasp that our decision-making processes are often influenced by psychological biases, which can significantly impact our investment outcomes. Here are eight prevalent biases that shape our investment behavior

Anchoring or Confirmation Bias

We tend to cling to initial impressions and seek information that reinforces our preconceived notions, disregarding contradictory evidence and potentially making decisions based on incomplete information.

Regret Aversion Bias

Fear of regret leads us to shy away from decisions that might result in losses, often resulting in a reluctance to take necessary risks for potential gains.

Disposition Effect Bias

Labeling investments as “winners” or “losers” can lead to irrational behavior, such as holding onto losing investments too long or prematurely selling winning ones, ultimately undermining overall returns.

Hindsight Bias

After an event occurs, we may mistakenly believe it was foreseeable all along, fostering a false sense of confidence in our predictive abilities.

Familiarity Bias

Preference for familiar investments can hinder diversification efforts and increase portfolio risk by limiting exposure to unfamiliar but potentially lucrative opportunities.

Self-Attribution Bias

We often attribute success to our own actions while blaming external factors for failures, fostering overconfidence and potentially risky decision-making.

Trend-Chasing Bias

Pursuing investments based solely on past performance can lead to suboptimal outcomes, as past performance does not guarantee future success.

Worry

Anxiety about investments can lead to an exaggerated perception of risk, prompting overly cautious decision-making that may hinder long-term growth.

Strategies to Mitigate Biases

Partnering with a skilled financial planner can help you recognise and navigate these biases effectively. Consider employing the following strategies

Systematic Asset Allocation

Implement strategies like dollar-cost averaging to mitigate the influence of emotions on investment decisions, allowing you to capitalise on market fluctuations systematically.

Risk Assessment

Understanding your risk tolerance is essential. Your investment strategy should align with your comfort level regarding potential risks.

Empowering Informed Decision-Making

The goal of understanding these biases is to instill confidence and peace of mind in your investment journey. By comprehending your risk appetite, clarifying investment objectives, and adopting a disciplined strategy, you can navigate the complexities of investing with greater clarity and resilience. Working collaboratively with a financial planner enables you to identify and counteract biases, fostering informed and rational investment decisions.