Pensions dashboard takes a step closer to becoming a reality, with prototype in the pipeline May 26, 2016 The long-awaited pensions dashboard took a step closer to becoming a reality today, with a potential prototype revealed as being in the pipeline. In a white paper launched today, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the Money Advice Service (MAS) revealed that they would be taking the next step in developing the dashboard, which aims [...]
Prime minister David Cameron warns of hit to pensions if Britain backs Brexit May 26, 2016 Prime minister David Cameron has warned retirees face a triple threat to their pension pots if Britain votes to leave the European Union. He said pension funds would shrink due to the economic shock from a leave vote, just as the fallout increased the cost living and changes to visa and residency rules led to a shortage of [...]
Retail Acquisitions may not have been fully aware of the BHS pension position when it first explored buying the retailer May 25, 2016 BHS' pensions fund trustees today told MPs that Retail Acquisitions may not have been fully aware of the pension scheme position when it began the process of buying the business. Speaking in front of the Work and Pensions committee and the Business, Innovation and Skills committee, Chris Martin, chair of the BHS Pension Fund Trustees, pointed [...]
How your pension could cost you £13,500 May 24, 2016 Those who haven't reviewed their pension contributions since a string of rule changes came into force earlier this year could find themselves facing a hefty tax bill, a London accountancy firm is warning today. Blick Rothenberg has cautioned that people who haven't altered the amount they are topping up their pension pot with since the annual allowance was lowered [...]
Despite paltry interest rates, annuities are making a comeback May 24, 2016 When pension freedoms were introduced last year, the over 55s were widely expected to shun annuities for more flexible forms of investment for their retirement. Long criticised for their poor value and rigidity, these financial products – which provide a guaranteed income for life – have looked even less attractive in recent years, as rates [...]
Performance vehicle: Five tips to get the most mileage from your Sipp May 24, 2016 Whether you’re a young saver prepared to take on more risk, or a retiree who doesn’t want to trade their nest egg for an annuity, self-invested personal pensions (Sipps) are tax-efficient vehicles which put you at the controls. Also known as DIY pension schemes, Sipps can be used to invest in any number of assets [...]
Workplace pensions: In praise of the humble master trust May 18, 2016 I woke up this weekend to a series of vaguely apocalyptic headlines about workplace pensions, master trusts in particular. And today none other than the country's most revered pensioner, Her Majesty The Queen, has opined on the topic. Being managing director of Smart Pension, a provider of workplace pensions via our own secure master trust, I must speak [...]
Report slams “shocking” level of pension scheme investment in hedge funds May 17, 2016 A new report has condemned the "shocking" level of UK pension scheme investment in hedge funds. SCM Direct condemned the “shockingly poor transparency” around costs and holdings, saying that many members would be unaware of the extent of their hedge fund investments. Read more: Hedge fund boss Paul Marshall to make Brexit donation The research estimated [...]
MPs warn that not enough is being done to protect consumers from mis-selling, and that the recently introduced pensions freedoms could spark a whole new scandal May 13, 2016 MPs are warning that the next financial scandal could be on the horizon, as too little is being done to address the cultural aspects that lead to wrongdoings, such as payment protection insurance (PPI) mis-selling, while a landmark pensions change has created new opportunities for such behaviours to flourish. A report released today by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) [...]
Live: Pensions lifeboat says that it had concerns about the BHS pension scheme in 2012 May 9, 2016 The BHS' pension scheme was on the Pension Protection Fund's (PPF) radar as far back as in 2012, MPs were told today. Alan Rubenstein, chief executive of the PPF, also explained to a committee hearing that the scheme had a 23-year recovery plan at that point, which is significantly longer than would usually be allowed. Lesley Titcomb, [...]