Category Archives: DWP
A “tax on a tax” – VAT on auto-enrolment bills
The Government is encouraging us to think of auto-enrolment for micros as an extension of the success story it has been for larger employers. But things are very different for smaller employers – especially when it comes to tax. Many … Continue reading
(Workplace) Isa ain’t gonna wash for a week!
A radical idea Michael Johnson has published his proposal for a workplace ISA, Michael has explained this to me before and has explained his proposals publicly to the DWP Select Committee. The proposal is not just to include an ISA … Continue reading
NEST is not a financial soup-kitchen.
For some time , I and others advising on workplace pensions have been calling for NEST to make a clear statement on charging employers for NEST support. Now we have it . In case you can’t press the link , here … Continue reading
Simplifying AE – why the workforce assessment IS worth it
The Government is calling for ideas to simplify auto-enrolment. I had an interesting discussion with a senior payroll policy lobbyist yesterday. She argues that the “workforce assessment” is too problematic to become part of the normal payroll function of Britain’s … Continue reading
Two thirds of SMEs are pension virgins.
New research is out on the purchasing intentions of the remaining 1.2m employers who aren’t “in” to auto-enrolment. Of the SMEs surveyed who are yet to stage, two thirds (66%) don’t have any existing pension arrangements for their staff while … Continue reading
Clarity needed on NEST’s finances
The Pension Regulator has announced it intends to introduce a Directory of workplace pensions. The criteria for inclusion will be that the workplace pension must meet the Quality Standards being introduced from 2015 and that the workplace will be universally … Continue reading
Pensions too boring for DWP select committee member
Nigel Mills MP, who sits on the DWP’s Pension Select committee is so committed to his task that he chose to turn up to a DWP committee meeting as a part of the recent pensions debate. He used the time to play … Continue reading
“I will look unto the hills” – for help with my DC pot!
As the days click by and Outlook starts filling up for April 2015, I ask myself what help is on its way for those without the means for a drawdown SIPP or the inclination to purchase an annuity. … Continue reading
Labour’s drawdown cap – right idea- wrong execution
Labour is calling for a cap on drawdown charges from April 2015. It is easy to see why. Currently there is a false market for drawdown with many customers paying as much as 4% pa for the management of their … Continue reading
The true cost of pensions; UK vs Netherlands – guest blog from Emma Craig of KAS Bank
Yesterday the Financial Services Consumer Panel released a paper outlining key issues for long term savers created by opacity in the true cost of investing in pensions. As auto-enrolment of workers into (predominantly) Defined Contribution pensions continues apace the … Continue reading