How you choose to allocate your wealth between different asset classes will be one of the most important investment decisions you ever make. Asset allocation can account for the majority of your portfolio returns over the long term, so it's essential that you achieve the right balance of cash, fixed income and equities in your portfolio.

Different types of assets
If you are an income investor, you need to understand that different types of assets generate different forms of income. These can broadly be classified into three groups: fixed income, guaranteed income and variable income.

Fixed income is generated by investments that yield income payments on the basis of a fixed schedule. Bonds, whether corporate, government or anything in between, are collectively referred to as 'fixed income investments'. The term fixed in this case refers to a schedule of obligatory payments, not the amount of income or its predictability.

Variable income, on the other hand, cannot be predicted ahead of time and will fluctuate depending on factors such as interest rate changes, inflation rate movements or the profitability of a company. The dividend income paid by company shares can be seen as a variable form of income, as this will depend on the company's results and profits. Rental income from a property investment will also vary over time, depending on factors such as demand and supply in the property market.

Guaranteed income is backed by a third party, such as the Government or an insurance company. As such, it is viewed as the safest form of investment income you can get, although the strength of this guarantee will depend on the party backing the investment.

Examples of investments which could fall into this category include those backed by government-backed institutions such as National Savings & Investments (NS&I) or purchasing an annuity in retirement, in which case the insurance company issuing the annuity guarantees income for the rest of your life.

Drawing a range of incomes
By holding a sensible mix of different assets, you can draw a range of incomes, each paying out at different times and in different sizes. The aggregation of these will be your portfolio income, which you can use to live off or to supplement your active income ? your salary or wage. You could also choose to reinvest this income back into your investment portfolio, thereby growing your original capital invested.

How do you decide on the right mix of assets?
There is no rigid formula, but it is worth noting that the ideal mix will differ from one individual to the next depending on variables such as your age, wealth, investment goals, risk appetite and the amount of income you would eventually like to draw from your portfolio.

Generally, those more risk-averse will weight their portfolio's asset allocation mix more towards the safe asset classes, while those willing to accept more risk in the search for a higher income will opt for riskier investments such as equities or property. The important thing is that you diversify your investments across a mixture of assets.

INFORMATION IS BASED ON OUR CURRENT UNDERSTANDING OF TAXATION LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS. ANY LEVELS AND BASES OF, AND RELIEFS FROM, TAXATION ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

THE VALUE OF INVESTMENTS AND
INCOME FROM THEM MAY GO DOWN. YOU MAY NOT GET BACK THE ORIGINAL AMOUNT INVESTED.

PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT A RELIABLE INDICATOR OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE.

THE FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY DOES NOT REGULATE NATIONAL SAVINGS & INVESTMENTS.