Tag Archives: annuity

Let’s not get caught with our trousers down (again).

Posted on June 3, 2015 by henry tapper

The reason we have NEST and its £400m debt to the tax-payer is that the private sector refused to commit to supporting auto-enrolment ten years ago. If the organisations like Legal & General, Standard Life and Aviva , could have … Continue reading →

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Spurring Altmann on

Posted on May 31, 2015 by henry tapper

This must be an odd time for our new pension minister – Ros Altmann. As I’m finding out coming back from America, the first few days can carry you through on adrenalin. But then comes that wave of tiredness as … Continue reading →

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Do you have to be demented to buy an annuity?

Posted on May 15, 2015 by henry tapper

This tweet is not the first time I’ve heard this argument Interesting question about pension freedoms and dementia at #micuk – do annuities offer better protection to sufferers? @rosaltmann — Nick Britton (@NickBritton_) May 13, 2015 I heard it several … Continue reading →

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Important days for pensions

Posted on May 11, 2015 by henry tapper

David Cameron will be announcing his new cabinet members and more junior ministers this week. Those of us who work in pensions already know that Ian Duncan Smith will remain Minister of State at the DWP, but who will be … Continue reading →

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A Transparency Taskforce?

Posted on May 6, 2015 by henry tapper

  A Transparency Taskforce? Sounds good doesn’t it?  Echoes of the Falklands, of Maggie v the Argies (don’t mention the Belgrano) But the task force that will meet later this morning at the University of London Senate House, at the … Continue reading →

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Dear Government- “Five do’s, five don’ts” – #pensions

Posted on May 4, 2015 by henry tapper

For those slipping quietly into retirement in the UK the political promises are about the revaluation of your state benefits, the payment of your winter allowance and the tax treatment of your savings and income. Whatever you have done or not … Continue reading →

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Advance Australia Fair!

Posted on April 15, 2015 by henry tapper

I have never been to Australia, I should go I know, but we have Earl’s Court. My good friend Jim Hennington has recently returned to his native Oz after a few years over here teaching us some tricks on how to … Continue reading →

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“How were those freedoms for you?” – Two events to help us find out!

Posted on April 10, 2015 by henry tapper

The press offices of all the major insurers have been busy printing announcements of how they have seen a tenfold increase in enquiries about pension benefits this week. Pension Wise has been open for bookings and Michelle Cracknell and the TPAS … 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 →

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Blurred lines or fuzzy logic – the secondary annuity market – guest blog by Ralph Frank

Posted on April 1, 2015 by henry tapper

The consultation on creating a secondary annuity market was released alongside the 2015 Budget. The upcoming consultation had been flagged on the preceding Sunday, an unusual event, by a release on the HM Treasury website. The stated intent of allowing … Continue reading →

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