Tag Archives: pension freedom

Ombudsman 1 – Freedom 0

Posted on April 13, 2017 by henry tapper

It would seem that Mr T (neither of the A-team or of this blog) has been sent packing by the Pensions Ombudsman. Mr T sued Standard Life’s staff pension trustees to max-up his CETV. He did so using an online … Continue reading →

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Was DC the only choice for the Tata Steelworkers?

Posted on February 16, 2017 by henry tapper

      Speaking on the radio yesterday, John Ralfe called the decision of Tata Staff to accept the loss of future accrual into a final salary scheme in exchange for a 10% contribution into a DC pension fund as … Continue reading →

Posted in actuaries, advice gap, FinTech, Jersey, pensions, Pensions Regulator, Politics, pot | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

FAKE NEWS – eroding the credibility of pensions.

Posted on January 12, 2017 by henry tapper

“Yesterday I ran a blog complaining not about fake news but about misinformation accompanying the news. MOMENTUM – hang your head in shame! The news Momentum has is that the vast majority of people over 55 still don’t know when … Continue reading →

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Free to overpay tax?? – what kind of freedom is that?

Posted on July 17, 2015 by henry tapper

Question – when is a freedom a pension freedom? Answer- when its got a big tax-bill attached! The pensions minister Ros Altmann has said the government’s proposals to tax pensions in a similar way to individual savings accounts could be … Continue reading →

Posted in Pension Freedoms, pension playpen, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Common sense needed on transfers

Posted on June 30, 2015 by henry tapper

Whether you’re moving house or moving money, the process is fraught. We are no closer to pots following member than when the “portable personal pension” was established in 1987. The friction involved in moving money from scheme to scheme, fund … Continue reading →

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The value of guaranteed annuity rates

Posted on June 20, 2015 by henry tapper

The affable , cricket loving chief executive of Royal London- Phil Loney- has written to Ros Altmann thus;- Dear Ros Congratulations on your Maiden Speech. It is pleasing to hear such a positive advocate for pensions. I was particular pleased … Continue reading →

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The land of the (pension) free

Posted on May 26, 2015 by henry tapper

  As I cleared immigration this morning, the chap charged with checking my travel authorisation asked me.. “so how are we doing over here?” I looked blankly.. “it says here you’re a pension consultant – how we doing?” To the … Continue reading →

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Should we be trusted with our pension pot?

Posted on April 6, 2015 by henry tapper

Today’s the day those over 55 can start taking their pension pots as they like;- except you can’t because the insurance companies are closed for the Bank Holiday except  your defined contribution pension provider may not have adapted its systems yet except you … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The long walk to pension freedom

Posted on March 2, 2015 by henry tapper

There is a walk to pension freedom – it needn’t be that long if we can get advice right. Continue reading →

Posted in annuity, pensions, Pensions Regulator | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Why we will have to wait for our freedom.

Posted on January 13, 2015 by henry tapper

A prospect of market failure The sentence may have been over-turned but the prisoner is not free. At best he can wander the prison yard but the prison gates remain locked and even when they open , the pension will … Continue reading →

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