Aj Bell
Calls for 'scam prevention minister' resurface as government grapples with industry for more support
The scam ‘epidemic’ across the pensions industry needs better government intervention in the form of a specifically appointed minister, AJ Bell has reiterated.
DWP questions trustees' understanding of 'S' in ESG in call for evidence
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is seeking views on how trustees understand the role of social factors in pension scheme ESG policies.
FCA data reveals over £20bn of DB transfers between 2018 and 2020
Some £20.1bn of defined benefit (DB) pensions were advised to transfer between 2018 and 2020, while £10.2bn were recommended not to transfer, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) data reveals.
Workplace schemes mandated to 'nudge' members into pensions guidance
Occupational pensions schemes will be required to direct savers to take guidance on pension withdrawals under new provisions to boost engagement.
'Ludicrous' and 'ridiculous' idea for scam prevention minister slammed
A call for the government to consider handing responsibility for tackling pension scams to a specially appointed minister has faced backlash from PP readers.
Appoint a minister for scam prevention, government urged
The government should consider handing to a minister the specific responsibility for tackling the growing number of scams across the finance sector, AJ Bell says.
Woodford investors potentially in limbo for further 12 months
Investors languishing in the gated, and now renamed, Woodford Equity Income fund could be forced to wait a further 12 months to get their money back, following the latest update from the fund’s administrator Link Fund Solutions.
A Covid-19 tax relief raid could exacerbate generational pensions divide
With rumours once again swirling around the future of pensions tax relief in the run up to this year's Budget, any reduced incentive for long-term savers could risk further exacerbating the generational divide in pensions, says Tom Selby
RPI reform to cost schemes and investors up to £130bn
Potential changes to the way the Retail Prices Index (RPI) is calculated and reported could cause assets to fall by between £60bn and £130bn, according to various estimates.
Why coronavirus could cause a 1990s-style bubble in risk assets
The coronavirus outbreak will significantly impact risk assets over the coming "years, rather than months", according to economist and author Anatole Kaletsky, who warned that central bank reactions to the illness could artificially inflate asset prices...
Update: Cost to Woodford investors revealed
Investors in the LF Equity Income fund, formerly run by Neil Woodford, will receive 75.55% of the value of the assets of the fund in the first capital distribution, priced between 46p and 59p per unit they hold, Link Fund Solutions has said.
Link reveals price of first distribution to Woodford investors
Investors in the LF Equity Income fund, formerly run by Neil Woodford, will receive between 46p and 59p per unit they hold in the fund for their first capital distribution, Link Fund Solutions has said.
Government announces March Budget
HM Treasury has confirmed that the government will hold its Budget on 11 March.
DWP annual benefit statement consultation questions voluntary adoption
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a consultation setting out proposals for the adoption and launch of simpler annual benefit statements. Holly Roach reports
General election 2019: the pensions manifesto the industry wants to see
With political parties drawing up their manifestos for next month’s general election, Kim Kaveh explores the industry’s ambitions for future pensions policy.
Industry calls for simpler pensions tax system
The government should review pension tax rules and simplify the system, according to AJ Bell and the Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA).
Life expectancy grows but slowdown in improvements continues
British people born between 2016 and 2018 are expected to live up to 4.2 weeks longer than those born in the 2015-17 period, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Investment fraud reports surge to more than 8,000 so far this year
More than 8,000 investment fraud reports have been made so far this year, more than double the amount in the same period last year, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.
Pension participation rises to 87% of eligible workers
AE has had 'truly staggering' impact
HMRC ditches appeal over lifetime allowance breach
Accidental breaches of lifetime allowance fixed protections could no longer result in onerous tax bills after HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) dropped its appeal of a landmark case.
SFGB renamed Money and Pensions Service
The Single Financial Guidance Body (SFGB) will be rebranded as the 'Money and Pensions Service', the government has announced.
Savers overtaxed £400m by HMRC on pension freedoms
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has taken over £400m too much in tax from savers accessing their pensions since the introduction of Freedom and Choice in 2015.
Net pay issue to widen as AE lower earnings limit rise confirmed
Low earners in net-pay schemes will lose out on more pensions tax relief as the gap between auto-enrolment (AE) qualifying earnings and the personal tax allowance widens.
Four fifths of LISA users also save into workplace pensions
The Lifetime ISA (LISA) has not caused an exodus from workplace pensions as feared, research by AJ Bell finds.