pensionsandsavings.com

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    From Ros Altmann:economist and pensions,
    investment and retirement policy expert

    • pensionsandsavings.com

    pensionsandsavings.com

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    Author: Ros Altmann

    Pension consequences of QE could undermine policy intent

    Pension consequences of QE could undermine policy intent

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    4 August 2016 Further pain for UK pensions as QE worsens deficits and increases annuity costs Bank of England statement completely ignores pension impacts of its policies Estimates suggest deficits now approaching £1trillion – this cannot be sustainable Government needs to consider help for employers Today’s decision by the Bank of England to cut short-term interest rates and expand the QE programme is another blow for UK pensions.  Both defined benefit and defined contribution pensions have become more expensive as…

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    Clarifying my Thoughts on State Pension Uprating for the Long-Term

    Clarifying my Thoughts on State Pension Uprating for the Long-Term

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    1 August 2016 My comments about the future of state pension uprating have certainly caused widespread debate. Unfortunately, they have also been grossly misrepresented.  I am sad about this because it has caused unnecessary upset to many pensioners and that would never be my intention. People don’t expect someone to comment on pensions policy with a long-term perspective: I don’t know if the mis-reporting has been because of a desire to have catchy, controversial headlines, but I think it is…

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    Triple lock for state pensions could move to a double lock

    Triple lock for state pensions could move to a double lock

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    30 July 2016 Taking the politics out of pensions policy could start with the Triple Lock We must protect pensioner incomes – but a ‘double lock’ is better long-term policy Committing to a double lock could reduce need to keep raising state pension age Totemic political signals can prove difficult to undo but good policy needs courage It is vital that the UK Government protects pensioner incomes and ensures pensioners are treated fairly.  It is also essential that the State…

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    Social revolution underway as millions more over 50s keep working

    Social revolution underway as millions more over 50s keep working

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    28 July, 2016 Important new Statistical Series released today to track trends in later life working Massive increase in labour force participation for over 50s since the 1980s Older women show largest employment rise while proportion age 70-74 in work has doubled Rise in female participation pre-dates increase in state pension age There is a social revolution underway, which can benefit millions of people in the UK, which is seeing increasing numbers of over 50s stay in work, continuing to…

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    The BHS Pension Scheme – a Q & A

    The BHS Pension Scheme – a Q & A

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    25 July 2016 BHS could have obtained Clearance from Pensions Regulator before selling the company with its massive pension deficit Employers must not treat pension liabilities as optional – they have people’s lives attached Pensions Regulator has power to force previous owners to pay huge sums The Select Committees’ Report on the collapse of BHS makes distressing reading.  The whole sorry saga has highlighted poor practices by many of the parties involved, but we must not forget that it is…

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    Pension Protection Fund Cap

    Pension Protection Fund Cap

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    20 July 2016 Government must stop denying fairer pension compensation to long-serving staff of failed firms Regulations are ready and DWP should lay them immediately Further delay in increasing Pension Protection Fund cap is a major injustice to those affected Small numbers of people but to each one this is hugely important   No justification for further Government delays to Regulations for loyal, long-serving pensioners: It is very disappointing that the DWP has failed to lay the Regulations that will…

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    Pensions are too important to downgrade

    Pensions are too important to downgrade

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    18 July 2016 Potential dangers ahead for pensions if responsibility moves from DWP to Treasury Could be threats to auto-enrolment Must continue to address employer challenges in funding Defined Benefit schemes It would seem that the role of Pensions Minister is being downgraded by the new Government. What does that mean? At the moment, we just don’t know, however it could be that this poses threats to future pensions and we must be alert to the dangers.  Pensions are vital…

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    My farewell blog…

    My farewell blog…

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      As most readers of this blog will know by now, I have been appointed Minister for Pensions in David Cameron’s new government. Having spent so many years studying pensions, savings and retirement policy as an independent expert, I have the chance of working inside government to drive things forward.  It will certainly keep me busy and be a great new challenge. Recent years have seen sweeping changes to our pensions system, changes which have started to move pensions in…

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    My warnings in 2006 about excess public spending – the irresponsibility was clear even then

    My warnings in 2006 about excess public spending – the irresponsibility was clear even then

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    It is simply incredible to deny that the Labour Government spent too much Failure to recognise or admit past over-spending is deeply worrying This is an article I wrote in 2006, exposing the excessive Government spending under Gordon Brown. It was clear to me even back then, and is still clear now, that the Government was spending far too much. I warned that this was the wrong policy, but it continued.   Ed Balls and Ed Milliband were in charge…

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