How will the conflict in the Middle East affect my money?

What impact could this have on my investments?

You might see a change in the value of your investments. But products like pensions, drawdown and stocks and shares ISAs are designed for long-term investing and to balance out the highs and lows. 

When investment values fall, even slightly, it can be tempting to access your money. If you’re thinking about this, understanding how and when is really important. 

If you’re thinking about accessing your pension savings and aren’t sure what your options are, you can answer a few simple questions to get an understanding of what kind of decisions you’ll need to make when it comes to taking your pension. You should still seek guidance before making any final decisions though. And don’t forget – while the value is never guaranteed, history shows that markets which do go down, go up again at some point. However, the value of your investment is not guaranteed and past performance is not a guide to future performance

How could this affect the value of my investments and/or pension?

Investments rise and fall depending on a number of different factors. A pension is a good example of a long-term investment since you’ll probably be paying into it for a few decades

Remember you are in control so stay focused on your long-term goals. While it can be worrying to see the value of your investment fall, if you're not touching it for 15 years what matters is what it's like in 15 years, not what it's like today.  

• Consistency is important, and continuing to pay into your investment products is generally a good idea too.
• Diversification of your investments means you're not relying on the performance of one investment – it's never a guarantee on the returns you might get but it does allow you to ride the ups and the downs of investing.
• If you’re thinking about accessing your pension savings and turning them into retirement income, it’s  important to think about accessing guidance or advice before making any decisions about drawing your tax free cash and pension savings.
• If you're looking for a different level of risk or fund to suit your needs, you can find a range of options available to you within your online account. If you’re still unsure, you may want to speak to a financial adviser.