Five things your clients will call you about this week

Concerns are mounting about sales of annuities, while savers are increasingly looking overseas for diversification. It's IFAonline's round-up of the weekend's national newspapers...

Annuities 'mis-selling'

"After endowments and payment protection insurance, could annuities be the next mis-selling scandal?" This was the stark opening to an extensive piece in the Observer over the weekend.

According to the article, possible grounds for complaints will vary: some people who have a condition that might shorten life expectancy might have missed out on an enhanced annuity with a better rate because they weren't asked about their health.

Others, the firm says, could have been sold unit-linked annuities without sufficient explanation of the risks; or the provider could simply have failed to flag up the right to shop around for the best rate - the open market option.

Are house price rises 'real'?

Homeowners who also happen to be readers of the Telegraph may ask for a review of their financial circumstances this week after research suggested that, while house prices are rising, their real value continues to be eroded by inflation.

The paper reported on research from LSL Property Services showing house prices increased by 11% between 2006 and 2011, but inflation jumped 17% in the same period.

Thinking internationally

Savers are increasingly looking for overseas investment opportunities to maximise returns, according to a piece in the Mail on Sunday.

Ben Willis, head of research at Whitechurch Securities, told the paper that whereas a decade ago some 70% of the average portfolio it recommended to clients would be invested in Britain, that figure has dropped to about 40%.

Going green

Green-minded individuals keen to play their part in tackling climate change, but also looking for a decent return on their cash, may be interested in the launch of a public share issue aimed at raising up to £15m to invest in new renewable energy projects, writes the Guardian.

Triodos Renewables has put the issue price at £1.80 per share (minimum investment: £540) and the company aims to deliver "between 9% and 10% annualised returns on investment for shareholders".

Long-term care

In recent weeks there has been plenty of focus on the future of funding for long-term care and the Independent on Sunday ran a neat summary of all the developments and what savers may now have to do.

It's clearly an area where IFAs are going to become increasingly important, ensuring clients' savings are not wiped out by poor planning for old age.