Recent market turbulence has been unsettling for many, especially those considering investing. It is natural for people to feel a level of uncertainty, and many new investors may be tempted to hold their funds in cash. However, it’s important to remember that investing is a long-term commitment and resisting reactive decisions is crucial.
WEALTH at work, a leading financial wellbeing, retirement and workplace savings specialist, outlines below what employees should consider when investing.
- Make the most of tax-free allowances
Over the past three years, the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) allowance has been reduced dramatically from £12,300 a year, down to just £3,000.
In addition, in last year’s Autumn Budget, the government increased the rate at which people pay CGT from 10% to 18% for basic rate taxpayers, and from 20% to 24% for higher rate taxpayers.
One of the best ways for investors to reduce their CGT liability is to hold investments within a tax-efficient ‘wrapper’ such as an ISA. Investments (or ‘assets’) within an ISA wrapper are not subject to CGT, meaning any increase in value is tax free.
2. Maximise your ISA allowance – use it or lose it
For the 2025-26 tax year individuals have the opportunity to invest up to £20,000 in ISAs with all growth remaining tax-free. However, if people don’t take advantage of this limit by 5 April 2026, they will lose it as it does not carry over to the next year.
Many workplaces now offer a Workplace ISA which can provide employees with a tax efficient way to invest and with the benefit of preferential rates compared to what is available on the high street. Individuals who are looking to maximise savings should speak to their employer to find out what support they offer.
3. Stay focused on longevity
The ups and downs of the stock market are affected by many political and economic factors. However, when investing it is essential to stay focused on long-term goals which can be a challenge when faced with short-term volatility. These ups and downs are a natural part of investing and don’t always reflect the strength of the companies invested in.
Predicting the perfect time to invest is nearly impossible, even for experienced professionals. During turbulent times, it can be tempting to make hasty changes. However, market dips are often followed by rebounds, and if money is kept on the sidelines, significant growth may be missed out on.
Of course, there are risks and investments could go down as well as up. But over long periods, shares tend to rise and generally offer better returns than holding cash. History has shown that the market has faced various sell-offs, such as global financial crisis or COVID-19. But these periods of short-term volatility often pave the way for long-term opportunities and growth.
4. Ensure investments suit your goals and attitude to risk
Investing can feel like a big decision, but it’s easier to stay on track when someone’s investments align with what they’re aiming for and how much risk what they’re comfortable with.
People should consider their goals such as, are they saving for a house, retirement, or something else? Investment choices should match the timeline and purpose behind someone’s savings. Also, attitude to risk is one of the most important factors to consider. In general, high-risk investments can offer higher return potential but pose a greater chance of losing value. Whereas low-risk investments may offer potentially lower returns but pose less probability of decreasing in value.
By considering both goals and attitude towards risk, individuals would be more likely to build a portfolio that works for them and allows them to stay committed to their investment plan during turbulent times.
