pensionsandsavings.com

  • PENSIONSANDSAVINGS.COM

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

    • pensionsandsavings.com

    pensionsandsavings.com

    Browsed by
    Author: Ros Altmann

    Advice so that widows do not lose their husbands’ pensions

    Advice so that widows do not lose their husbands’ pensions

    Comments 10 comments

    12 August 2014 It is certainly a problem that many people lose track of old pension entitlements and, especially if husbands have passed away, widows will often be left without anything from their husband’s pension unless they are aware of what his entitlement was. If husbands have died relatively young, a defined benefit pension scheme would provide some money for the widow and a defined contribution scheme could pay out a tax free sum, but widows would need to to…

    Read More Read More

    Do we need a Lifetime ISA now that pensions coverage is set to rise?

    Do we need a Lifetime ISA now that pensions coverage is set to rise?

    Comments 1 comment

    Lifetime ISA might have been useful in the past but is not necessary now Pensions auto-enrolment and flexibility will increase pension coverage New ‘Lifetime ISA’ product proposed, to replace pensions and ISAs:  The Centre for Policy Studies is calling for a new savings approach – the Lifetime ISA – to be introduced in the UK.  This would replace the separate ISA and pension systems we currently have.  The idea is unveiled in this paper http://www.cps.org.uk/publications/reports/introducing-the-lifetime-isa/?utm_source=Michael+Johnson+contacts&utm_campaign=1f6f756838-FTT_chown_lawson&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d781b4fd08-1f6f756838-303592833 by Michael Johnson, whose ideas…

    Read More Read More

    Man with cancer gets his money back after annuity mis-selling

    Man with cancer gets his money back after annuity mis-selling

    Comments 4 comments

    4 August 2014 Standard annuities assume purchasers are in good health – selling them to someone with heart trouble and cancer is unjustifiable. Treating Customers Fairly requires protection against such annuities mis-selling. I challenge providers and regulators to justify selling annuities without clear risk warnings or suitability checks. The case of Mr. Wayne Davies vividly highlights the injustices of the UK annuity sales process.  It is the worst case I have seen of the UK annuity system failing its customers.  While…

    Read More Read More

    Guidance Guarantee could be a golden opportunity for IFAs

    Guidance Guarantee could be a golden opportunity for IFAs

    Comments 2 comments

    25 July 2014 The Guidance Guarantee – a whole new industry of impartial guides? Important for customers to understand that ‘Guidance’ is not ‘Advice’ Great opportunity for the advice sector This week, the Treasury released more details of its plans for every DC pension saver coming up to pension age is offered free, impartial financial guidance on their pension options.  The Service will be funded by a levy on financial firms, who have an interest in its aims of ensuring customers…

    Read More Read More

    Quick Guide to the New Pensions Landscape

    Quick Guide to the New Pensions Landscape

    Comments 1 comment

    The table below summarises the changes confirmed today, what the system was like before the Budget, how it works in the interim period up to April 2015 and what is planned when the full flexibility starts next April: Policy Before Budget Interim changes up to April 2015 Full flexibility from April 2015 AGE: when you can access your pension fund Age 55 Age 55 Age 55 – rising to age 57 from 2028 WITHDRAWING SOME MONEY: The rules on taking…

    Read More Read More

    Why working longer is the way of the future

    Why working longer is the way of the future

    Comments 3 comments

    People will increasingly realise the benefits of redefining retirement In the past, retirement was not an active decision – it just happened to you, dictated by your employer, a pension scheme or society:  Traditional UK retirement was not an active choice, but an event that happened, dictated by outside forces rather than being a positive and considered decision.  For example most people automatically stopped work at their pension age or were offered the chance to retire early with a good…

    Read More Read More

    I am delighted to be Government’s Champion for Older Workers

    I am delighted to be Government’s Champion for Older Workers

    Comments 1 comment

    Older workers can be the key to economic growth Over 700,000 people may retire each year – helping them stay at work means more income to businesses and individuals Working just one year longer would add 1% to economic growth  for the nation I am delighted to have been appointed as the Government’s Older Workers Champion.  Having worked on the issues surrounding rethinking retirement and extending working lives for many years, I am delighted to be able to play a…

    Read More Read More

    Tomorrow could be the start of a whole new retirement

    Tomorrow could be the start of a whole new retirement

    Comments 0 Comment

    29 June 2014 Right to request flexible working for all starts tomorrow Government giving green light to redefine retirement – encouraging flexible working in later life A win-win-win – better for older people’s health and wealth and better for the economy All workers can request flexible working:  From 30th June, the Government is giving all workers the right to request flexible working.  So far, parents and carers can ask their employer to allow them to work flexibly, but now all…

    Read More Read More

    Use pension reforms to help social care crisis

    Use pension reforms to help social care crisis

    Comments 0 Comment

    23 June 2014 Budget pension reforms could help kick-start saving for social care New tax breaks will help savers build up care savings funds – could be with pensions or ISAs  My Budget consultation response highlights urgency of addressing social care funding crisis In my response to the Chancellor’s 2014 Budget on pension reforms, I have included a section explaining how the pension freedoms could be used to help kick-start a culture of care saving.  This probably needs to be incentivised…

    Read More Read More

    Response to Budget consultation on transfers from DB to DC schemes

    Response to Budget consultation on transfers from DB to DC schemes

    Comments 0 Comment

    10 June 2014 Here is my response to the Treasury’s consultation on the issues relating to transfers from Defined Benefit to Defined Contribution pension schemes.  Members of unfunded public sector schemes will no longer be allowed to transfer, however members of funded schemes should be able to take their money out.  Here are my thoughts Transfers should be permitted from funded DB schemes to DC schemes Some schemes could benefit from members transferring small entitlements due to the savings in…

    Read More Read More

    Page 31 of 39
    1 … 29 30 31 32 33 … 39