Monthly Archives: March 2016

NEST takes the strain.

Posted on March 24, 2016 by henry tapper

NEST have something to shout about and it’s not news. Like good background music, they’ve succeeded in being there but not getting noticed. They’ve gone about their business over the last three months increasing their participating employers from 40 to … Continue reading →

Posted in NEST, pensions, Retirement, Ros Altmann | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Ozzyshambles might have delivered a winner -guest blog from Ralph Frank.

Posted on March 23, 2016 by henry tapper

The 2016 Budget has not gone down as George Osborne’s finest hour, thus far.  However, among the resignations, U-turns and widespread grumbling, there has been (at least) one positive development.  The announcement in the Budget that the Government will ensure … Continue reading →

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Pension Freedoms need a Pension Dashboard

Posted on March 23, 2016 by henry tapper

Jo Cumbo asks how the Pension Freedoms are bedding down. I don’t have access to the big data of an insurer but I am 54 and am now only six months from my entitlement to blow my savings on whatever I … Continue reading →

Posted in Financial Education, First Actuarial, Pension Freedoms, pension playpen, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Legal and General’s IGC – frustrated but getting there!

Posted on March 22, 2016 by henry tapper

The Legal & General IGC Annual Statement was published yesterday (21st March) and  good it is too. The link to it is here As with Prudential’s statement, it’s tone is measured and severe, this is not a marketing document for … Continue reading →

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If Osborne had stuck to his guns on pensions…

Posted on March 22, 2016 by henry tapper

  The Government is in the middle of a political not an economic crisis. The crisis began the morning the Times announced it would not be including radical plans to overhaul pensions in this year’s budget and it has deepened at each … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The circular firing squad

Posted on March 21, 2016 by henry tapper

As civil servants in the DWP enter their building in Westminster this morning , they’ll be walking into an atmosphere that makes the Thick of It look like Play School. A new Secretary of State, Stephen Crabb is in place. … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions, Pensions Regulator, Politics, Ros Altmann, steve webb | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why Now had to bail out HMRC

Posted on March 20, 2016 by henry tapper

  Workplace pension provider NOW: Pensions has announced  that it will pay the Government’s workplace pension for the Government. For the 2015/2016 tax year NOW will make up the income tax relief shortfall for members of its scheme that aren’t taxpayers … Continue reading →

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Enough! Let’s go make better pension policy!

Posted on March 20, 2016 by henry tapper

In a recent DWP Select Committee, Frank Field pointed out that this parliament has so far seen little legislation proposed and enacted. It is true.  Field urged Altmann to get on with it and now is the time to start making … Continue reading →

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Britain unproductive? Small wonder!

Posted on March 19, 2016 by henry tapper

“Now is not the time to change pensions tax relief”. The words of the Treasury’s press release that spelt the end of radical pensions reform (for now). Oh what an opportunity missed – and for what? To keep a party … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

LISA – genius or gimmick?

Posted on March 19, 2016 by henry tapper

There are binary opinions about the Lifetime ISA (LISA), for some it is start of a new era for retirement savings, for others it is a spurious gimmick. The technical facts behind the Chancellor’s announcement in the 2016 Budget are … Continue reading →

Posted in LISA, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments