Pension planning has never been so important

It’s something we all think about doing, but over half of all those of working age never plan properly for their retirement. Most think that their state pension alone will keep them going but this will not provide a comfortable retirement in which you don’t have to worry about affording to keep warm.

It’s now become a bit of cliché, but it’s true, the longer you leave paying into a pension scheme the more you will have to pay into it when you do. Suddenly remembering 10 years before you retire that you have forgotten to save for your retirement puts financial stress on you and your family. After all we all want a comfortable retirement.

It is estimated that if you wish to retire on £50,000 a year throughout your retirement years that you will have to start thinking about it as young as possible to keep up with regular payments. This rings true especially as many final salary schemes in the private sector are closing and the new UK coalition government will start to assess public sector pensions. It is becoming increasingly the case that you will have to fend for yourself.

Example: if a 25 year old and a 35 year old started saving towards their pension at the same time, with the aim to retire at 55, the 25 year old will have to save £300 a month while the 35 year old will need to put aside £805 a month.

This shows just how important it is to keep on top of planning for your retirement

In fact, research from Standard Life shows that those aged between 45-54 are most likely to become disengaged with their pensions and not know the value within them. This is shocking as this age group are the ones heading towards retirement and need to have their plans in order.

It is more important than ever before to plan properly especially as the UK government will be raised the state retirement age to 66 from 2016, France will be raising their retirement age to 62 and Greece to 65. Other countries could follow suit as they each try to work out the best way to cut economic spending.

Don’t get caught out at retirement, plan properly and live comfortably.

For more information on pensions and retirement planning, visit our website at www.wealthandlivingmagazine.com

Luxury Adventure Breaks in Scotland

Scotland has long been one of the UK’s best retreats for those looking for adventure and adrenaline fuelled activities and this year the focus is set to become global.

The 2010 Adventure Travel World Summit is being hosted by Aviemore from the 4^th -7^th October and promises to highlight the beauty and pure ruggedness of Scotland.

To highlight the wide range of activity and adventure holidays within the country, Wilderness Scotland have highlighted some of the best experiences available.

Explore the high summits of the Cairngorms

Looking for a walking experience that packs a punch? Then look no further than the Cairngorms National Park, which is home to four of Scotland’s five highest mountains, the largest arctic mountain landscape in Britain, ancient Caledonian Pine forests and rare wildlife including wildcats, red squirrels and capercaillies. If this sounds like your thing, then you’ll also hike in the awe-inspiring mountains of Wester Ross during this two-centre trip.

Departing 31^st July, 28^th August and 9^th October, seven days cost £825 pp including six nights accommodation, most meals, transport throughout (starting and finishing in Inverness) and guiding.

Top-class kayaking in the Highlands

The Northwest Scottish Highlands are recognised as one of the world’s premier destinations for kayaking as they boast rich marine life, outstanding scenery and waters which are thankfully warmed by the Gulf Stream. On beautiful Loch Torridon you’ll learn and develop basic kayaking skills during this introduction course. Kayaking offers the chance to see the landscape with fresh eyes; a different perspective to climbing a summit, but equally rewarding. While paddling you can even try out a spot of seashore harvesting, such as collecting mussels for dinner.  

Departing 5^th and 19^th September and 3^rd October, five days cost £475 pp including four nights comfortable bunkhouse accommodation (complete with hot showers), most meals, all transport throughout the trip (starting and finishing at Inverness), equipment and guiding.

A mountain biking journey where east meets west

Recently voted one of the ‘Trips of the Year 2010’ by Outside Magazine, Wilderness Scotland’s Coast to Coast mountain biking adventure is an epic journey. Traverse the Scottish Highlands from the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, from Aberdeen in the east to Ardnamurchan in the west.  The route covers 400km and over 4,000m of ascent and descent where the trails are as varied as the spectacular scenery; from flowing single-track trails to rocky and challenging mountain passes and forest-fire road. 

Departing 24^th July and 11^th September, eight days cost £895 pp including seven nights guest house and hotel accommodation, most meals, transfers (starting and finishing at Inverness) and guiding.

Experience the mystical archipelago of St Kilda under sail

Situated on the very edge of Europe in the North Atlantic, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of St Kilda boasts breathtaking landscapes, wonderful wildlife and a rich tapestry of history and culture that make this place unlike anywhere else in Britain. Until the arrival of the Victorians, the community of St Kilda lived in isolation for more than a thousand years.  A real journey of a lifetime – be prepared for exciting sailing through the Outer Hebrides and on to St Kilda aboard ‘Elinca’, a sleek yacht which cruises at 10 knots, making light work of long passages and heavy seas. 

Departing 12^th and 28^th July and 9^th August, five days cost £550 pp including four nights on-board accommodation, all meals, all transport (starting and finishing at Stornoway), equipment and guiding.

Call of the paddle – descending the River Spey

Paddling through magical pine forests during the day and wild camping under the stars at night makes an open canoe trip in malt whisky country a must for the adventurous. The River Spey descent takes you through sublime scenery and Scotland’s most famous whisky region, with the river itself providing a good mix of gently moving water and challenging rapids, including the ‘Washing Machine’.

Departing 3^rd September, four days cost £425 pp including three nights wild camping, all meals, all transport throughout the trip (starting and finishing Aviemore), canoe and camp equipment and guiding.

For more information on some brilliant Scottish adventures, please visit www.wildernessscotland.com

Culinary adventures in Japan

Each year visitors to Tokyo are treated with some of the best food that Japan has to offer. This should come as no surprise as Tokyo has more Michelin stars than any other city in the world. Japan has some great culinary delights to experience across the country, not just in Tokyo, with some more outrageous than others.

Catch your own fish and get that hunter-gatherer feeling before dinner in order to appreciate your meal more. Tokyo’s Kameido district is home to Zao, a restaurant designed like a boat where if customers stand on the deck or the dining floor you are able to catch your fish of choice to enable the master to create beautifully prepared sushi and sashimi. Enjoy dinner sitting on cushions at low Japanese tables, overlooking the huge tank of water full of gorgeous fish.

Catch your own noodles – Looking for more excitement than a Pot Noodle? Then try catching noodles with your chopsticks as the chef sends them flying down bamboo shoots of running water. Nagashi somen is a popular summertime dish built around somen – thin stretched noodles served cold with dipping sauce. This interesting eating style is part of Japan’s summer traditions and available at restaurants across the country.

Catch the sushi train – While more people are becoming familiar with conveyor belt sushi (kaiten sushi) in the west, it’s a tame version of what’s offered at Kappa Sushi in Kyoto. Sit down and receive your plates of sushi express-delivered to your table by the model Bullet Train running around the restaurant. Truly fast food and it runs on time – just like the actual bullet trains.

Yes master! – Maid Cafés can be found all over Japan, but the phenomenon started in Tokyo’s Akihabara district to serve the otaku – geeky fans of manga, anime and videogames. The young 20-something waitresses serve their customers (master or mistress) dressed in a variety of maid costumes in a sort of blurred anime fantasy-real life world. The Maid Café has spawned its own culture with rules and etiquette and the food is considered secondary to the maids serving it.

Waiter with an attitude? – For shocking service – ninja-style – step into a themed restaurant in the Akasaka district of Tokyo for the ultimate experience in combined dining and entertainment. The restaurant itself is full of hidden nooks and crannies from which ninja waiters jump out at you from every angle. The plucky staff leap out at you as you walk up the dark alley to the restaurant and then make a bridge appear to get you across the water. When your heart has stopped racing, you might be able to enjoy the food there.

These eating experiences are available on all InsideJapan Tours small group tours visiting Tokyo and Kyoto, including the 9-night ‘Tokaido Trail’, a classic trip for first-time visitors to Japan including ultra-modern Tokyo, beautiful Kamakura, the hot springs of Hakone and ancient capital Kyoto. With departures on 27 August, 2 and 13 November, it costs £1,250 pp including nine nights’ hotel and ryokan (traditional inn) accommodation with breakfast, some meals, all transport within Japan, Sumida River boat cruise in Tokyo, a geisha district evening walking tour in Kyoto, the services of a tour leader and Info Pack. Excludes flights which can be booked from £590 pp return with Emirates by InsideJapan Tours.

For more information on visiting Japan, please visit www.wealthandlivingmagazine.com