The budget had been nearly a week since David Brooks’ presentation but it came to life as he worked his way through these ten questions.

1. Intro – opening thoughts

1. Death benefits (2 year rule/excess/terminal illness rules)

2. Pensions Tax Allowance

3. DB surplus – authorised lump sums/developing thoughts on surplus sharing

4. Mansion house ( I may note the report from a week or so ago) but mansion house a reserve power conspicuous by absence.

5. R-CDC – transfer in and out.

6. Participation/earnings (minimum wage/carers allowance)

7. LISA – this is the end

8. Perhaps touch on PC2 – shifting sands

9. Closing thoughts.

Here’s the hour long video of the Pension PlayPen coffee morning which included Lord Bryn Davies Padraig Floyd, and others in a rigorous debate. Martin Lewis hovered over us!

The event coincided with the publication of consultations on Guided Retirement and the place of Retirement CDC within it. It was not overshadowed but sets the scene for an interesting year end and three years to come till we have returned pensions to our savings plans.