We’d like to wish all the users of MyLocalAdviser a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. In addition to providing a completely free directory service for locating Financial Intermediaries in your local area, we also publish this handy online magazine which provides you with quality analysis and information on a wide range of topics to help you make your financial planning decisions with confidence.

For those of you approaching retirement age, before you can start planning, you need to understand how the money you’ve built up in your pension fund will be used to provide you with an income when you retire. On page 07 we look at annuities – one of the options you could choose to invest most of your pension in, and one that will pay you a regular income throughout your retirement years. In the UK more than £10bn is invested in annuities every year.

There are numerous ways of saving for retirement, including various types of pensions. The government views retirement savings as being so important that it offers generous tax benefits to encourage us to make our own pension provision. It is usually also the case that you may be able to contribute to more than one pension – for example, if appropriate, you could contribute to a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) as well as to your company pension scheme. Read the full article on page 06.

In the light of recent market volatility it's perhaps natural to be looking for ways to smooth out your portfolio's returns going forward. One way for investors to achieve some peace of mind is through ‘pound-cost averaging’, a simple, time-tested method for controlling risk over time. On page 08 we look at how pound-cost averaging enables investors to take advantage of stock market corrections and how, in this way, you could increase the long-term value of your investments.

A full list of all the articles featured in this edition appears on page 03.

Welcome to the latest issue of our Mylocadviser esmartmoney guide, the personal financial planning and wealth management magazine, in which we consider the key financial planning topics that will help you make more of your money. Deciding how to take your pension benefits is one of the most important financial decisions you're ever likely to make. As part of the new 2011 retirement rules, we consider the changes that will bring Income Drawdown and investment-linked annuity markets closer together and the removal of the forced annuitisation at age 75. On page 20 find out more about how the rule changes could impact on your retirement plans.

During these difficult economic times, one of the tools available to the Bank of England to stimulate the economy is interest rates. Lower interest rates mean that it is cheaper to borrow money and people have more to spend, hopefully stimulating the economy and reducing the risk of deflation. Not good news if you're an income-seeker, so on page 18 we consider some of the alternative income-generating options available.

In order to protect family and loved ones, it is essential to have provisions in place after you're gone. The easiest way to prevent unnecessary tax payments, such as Inheritance Tax, is to organise your tax affairs by obtaining professional advice and having a valid Will in place to ensure that your legacy does not involve just leaving a large IHT bill for your loved ones. Read the full article on page 10.

Also inside this issue, we remind you not to miss the fast-approaching Individual Savings Account (ISA) deadline - you only have until close of business on 5 April to use this tax year's allowance or you'll lose it forever. Also we consider the importance of having the correct protection strategy in place to enable you to protect your family's lifestyle if your income suddenly changes due to premature death or illness. A full list of all the articles featured in this edition appears on page 03.

In this edition of Mylocadvisers esmartmoney guide, the personal financial planning and wealth management magazine, the focus is on the end to the current tax year, 5th April, and how you can reduce any potential tax liability that you may incur. If you are a high net worth individual and are seeking tax breaks then investing in Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS) may be the answer for you as they are one of the few remaining tax breaks on the market as they are the only one to offer Capital Gains Tax deferral.

This publication also deals with investment diversification - selecting assets that react differently to market fluctuations can help spread the risk associated with investments and potentially reduce overall losses across an investor's portfolio that may otherwise have been incurred.

Are you in the last ten years of earning potential and your retirement clock is ticking? If so then we offer advice on how to make sure you aren't presented with a pension shortfall with tips on how to maximize the last few years of earnings potential.

Have you made a will yet? Or thought about how you can make sure that your dependants are not burdened by any debt that you may leave? In this edition of Mylocaladvisers' esmartmoney guide we give the low-down on looking after your dependants and the best financial vehicles to ensure their financial stability, maximize the value of your estate and ensuring your assets are distributed according to your wishes and not according to the letter of the law.

Also in this issue:

• Investing in BRIC's, the driving force of the new global economy.
• OIEC's - making potential gains from the growth in value of a company's shares.
• And our guide to SIPP's and much more...

In this edition of esmartmoney, the personal financial planning and wealth management magazine, find out about what the proposed retirement reforms mean to you and how to use the annuity open market option to increase your pension income.

Also included in this edition is a guide on how to invest in the current low interest rate environment, and how to make your money work for you. The reduction of the tax privilege saving allowance will see a change in employers' approaches to pension saving behavior and remuneration terms.

As we are approaching Christmas and the New Year it is that time to start giving your finances a 'wealth check' - the esmartmoney money guide to arranging your finances for the New Year contains tips and advice to get the most out of your check-up.

Also in the November/December issue:

• The Governments spending review summary, facts and Q&A
• Income Drawdown - you questions answered
• 10 ways to build a bigger pension pot
• The business guide and much more...

• Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs) - The facts
• Business Protection
• And Unit Trusts, the safer way to invest...

In this edition of esmartmoney, the personal financial planning and wealth management magazine, discover more about Capital Gains Tax, the Budget, changes in Child Tax Credit, pay freezes, business protection and what it means for you.

Included is a guide to investment - risk and reward, in light of the Budget and how to begin building your retirement nest egg. Details of planning your investments and what products are available and which ones will suit your investment portfolio. With particular reference to Investment Trusts - 'one of the easiest and cost effective ways to invest in the stock market'.

The Chancellor has implemented changes to reform Capital Gains Tax and this edition of esmart will look at the allowances and advise on capital appreciating assets and planning to minimise liability.

In this edition of esmartmoney, the personal financial planning and wealth management magazine, the focus is on pension planning and converting your pension savings into an income - you only get one chance to get this right, so good planning is essential.

Higher rate salary earners - how salary sacrifice schemes for other benefits could save you thousands each year in tax and the effects of such schemes with regard to pensions, borrowing and National Insurance.

Investing in the stock market, a prospective investor must consider whether to invest for growth, income or both. In this edition of esmart the relevant considerations and insights into which avenue of investments to make are discussed.

Also in the May/June issue:

• Spring cleaning you portfolio
• A budget special Q&A, are you a winner or a loser
• How to reduce or potentially eliminate Inheritance Tax for your loved ones
• Socially responsible investments, and much more.....