Treasury reveals details of its plan to extend pension freedoms as economic secretary Harriett Baldwin unveils plans to create “new secondary annuity market” December 15, 2015 The Treasury has revealed details of its plans to extend pension freedoms to more than five million people as part of a move to create a secondary annuity market. Economic secretary to the Treasury Harriett Baldwin said this morning the tax restrictions will be removed from 6 April 2017, making it easier for people to sell their annuity for an [...]
Almost half of pensions industry professionals believe pensions will become a less important part of benefits in the future December 14, 2015 Today's businesses might be able to use a generous pension package as a key selling point for top talent, but will that ring true in the future? A survey released today by Aon Hewitt has discovered that 42 per cent of pensions professionals believe pensions will form a less integral part of benefits in the [...]
Defined benefit pension schemes becoming less and less popular with FTSE 100 companies, as contributions for their provision falls by 13pc in a year December 14, 2015 Defined benefit (DB) pension schemes have fallen further out of favour among FTSE 100 companies, as payments for their provision have tapered off. Research released today by JLT Employee Benefits has revealed that ongoing DB pension provisions among FTSE 100 firms fell 13 per cent in real terms to about £7.2bn in the 12 months [...]
The recently retired are now richer than under-45s for the first time in history, Resolution Foundation report finds December 10, 2015 Generous pensions and investments in property mean that recent retirees are now a collectively wealthier generation than the under-45s for the first time in history. New research reveals those aged between 65 and 74 hold 19 per cent of the UK's wealth, while it now stands at 16 per cent for those aged under 45 despite the younger population [...]
UK Pensions: Around five million annuity holders could be about to find out more about how to sell their fixed income for a lump sum December 8, 2015 An estimated five million annuity holders could soon have a clearer idea of how they could resell their retirement income stream for a cash lump sum in the next few days. Hargreaves Lansdown Pensions today pointed out that the Summer Budget revealed the government will set out plans for the secondary market for annuities in the autumn, meaning [...]
Pub lunches and buying a pet: The low-cost lifestyle changes you can make to be happy in middle age December 7, 2015 Alright, so the older generation may be the most well-off – but according to new research, splashing the cash won't necessarily make you happy. A study by retirement income specialist Age Partnership has put together the definitive list of lifestyle changes over-55s can make to stay happy as they get older – and it turns [...]
Investors pile on pressure over top HSBC pensions December 6, 2015 HSBC has made good the changes to executive pensions it promised in its last remuneration report, earlier this year. The bank will be cutting pension payments to its top executives from 1 January, bringing it in line with similar FTSE companies. The current arrangement means the banks chief executive, chairman, and two executive directors can [...]
Half of men over 50 will miss out on £572 a year when the new state pension system starts in April December 4, 2015 The new state pension system is not good news for everyone, with around half of men now in their 50s set to receive a lower retirement income under the new system, official analysis shows. Research from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) reveals those in their early 50s will lose as much as £11 a week [...]
UK pensions: Self-employed people now less likely to be saving for their retirement December 3, 2015 Just nine per cent of self-employed people contribute to a personal pension, despite a record 4.6m people now being registered as self-employed. According to research released today by Prudential, 34 per cent of self-employed people paid into to a pension in the tax year 2001/02. The total amount saved into pensions by those who are [...]
Most employees expect to work past the retirement age of 65 December 2, 2015 The majority of Britons expect to work past retirement age, and some are doubtful that they'll ever be able to retire, according to new research released today. The study, by employee benefits consultancy Portus, found 66 per cent of respondents are preparing to work past the age of 65, while 11 per cent have said they’ll work past the age of [...]