• PENSIONSANDSAVINGS.COM

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

  • pensionsandsavings.com

    Browsed by
    Tag: government pensions policy

    Whole new world for pensions

    Whole new world for pensions

    14 October 2014 A giant challenge to the pensions industry – give customers the freedoms allowed by law Pensions can become like bank or building society accounts – take money when you need it This isn’t just for the wealthy, it gives everyone the same freedoms as wealthiest already had New pension system could help fund care needs Everyone to have choice about how to spend their pension savings:  The Government is today laying legislation in Parliament that will enable…

    Read More Read More

    Wouldn’t a 1% charge cap leave NEST out on a limb?

    Wouldn’t a 1% charge cap leave NEST out on a limb?

    OFT report into pension charges expected to propose a 1% cap How does that square with NEST’s 1.8% initial charge? NEST charging structure needs urgent overhaul as it can be poor value The long-awaited report from the Office of Fair Trading, assessing the charges levied on UK pension plans, is about to be released and is expected to recommend a cap on the charges for UK pensions probably of 1%. This recommendation would raise a number of issues.  It is…

    Read More Read More

    Private pensions have become politicians’ piggy banks

    Private pensions have become politicians’ piggy banks

    Here is my article in today’s CityAM http://www.cityam.com/article/1378855577/private-pensions-have-become-piggy-bank-spendthrift-states?utm_source=website&utm_medium=TD_opinion_right_col&utm_campaign=TD_opinion_right_col FIVE years after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, and the fallout from the financial crisis is far from over. Across Europe, private pensions have become a targets for politicians seeking to reduce the pressure to rein in spending and manage excessive debt after the crisis. While governments are encouraging or forcing citizens to participate in private pension schemes – with the aim of improving retirement incomes – they have not been able…

    Read More Read More

    Pole-axed Pensions – politicians raiding pensions again

    Pole-axed Pensions – politicians raiding pensions again

    10 September 2014 Financial crisis fallout once again hits pensions Polish Government confiscates private pension assets to improve public finances  Politicians have found many ways to raid pension assets when times get tough I just thought I should put together a note following the sudden confiscation by the Polish government of all the bond holdings in Poland’s private sector pension funds last week.  It seems to  me that private pension savings are not safe in Europe and we need to…

    Read More Read More

    Auto-enrolment is going well, but it is only a start

    Auto-enrolment is going well, but it is only a start

    8 August 2013 DWP delighted auto enrolment opt-outs much lower than expected Treasury will have to budget for higher than expected tax relief! Encouraging progress in improving private pension coverage, but far more is needed – including annuity reform Auto-enrolment among largest firms has been successful in ensuring more people save in a pension: The DWP has released figures today showing that nine out of ten workers automatically enrolled into their employer’s pension scheme have decided to stay in.  It…

    Read More Read More