National Insurance
Coronavirus job retention scheme will cover AE contributions
Furloughed workers will continue to receive pension contributions under the government’s coronavirus job retention scheme, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has confirmed.
Treasury confirms increase in NI threshold
The government has confirmed it has increased the National Insurance (NI) threshold from £8,632 to £9,500 from April.
Guy Opperman confirmed as speaker for Professional Pensions Live 2020
Professional Pensions is delighted to welcome back pensions and financial inclusion minister Guy Opperman to open day two of Professional Pensions Live in 2020.
TPP calls on government to close ethnicity pension gap
The People’s Pension (TPP) has issued a new call on the government to reform auto-enrolment (AE) to help reduce the ethnicity gap over the long-term.
Government reintroduces pension schemes bill in Queen's Speech
The government will reintroduce the pension schemes bill as part of an “ambitious programme of domestic reform”, the Queen’s Speech confirmed today.
Boris must not spurn the pensions opportunities from a Tory majority
The Conservatives’ romp at last week’s national poll gives a great chance to make dramatic changes to boost people’s pensions, says Gregg McClymont.
Simplifying flex: How providers are evolving to simplify products
Many traditional flexible benefit schemes have become complex and unwieldy. Nick Martindale looks at how providers are evolving to simplify products and better meet employee needs.
General Election 2019: The pensions manifesto pledges
All of the major political parties have now unveiled their policies on pensions ahead of the general election. Professional Pensions looks at what they have promised.
Conservatives commit to review of taper and net-pay issues
The Conservative party will hold reviews of the tapered annual allowance and net-pay schemes if it is elected back into government, it has said.
Lib Dems seek £40k cap on tax-free pension lump sums; plan to scrap NI on contributions
The Liberal Democrat party has passed a motion pledging to cap tax-free lump sums under Freedom of Choice at £40,000 if elected into government.
Can policy reform bridge the intergenerational gap?
The Intergenerational Commission has suggested a series of policy reforms to address the intergenerational divide in pensions. Kim Kaveh considers the proposals
Have your say: Should TPR have the power to seize assets from fine dodgers?
In this week's Pensions Buzz, we want to know if you think it is fair that The Pensions Regulator can seize assets from fine dodgers, and how schemes should deal with pension overpayments from contracting-out discrepancies.
Six pensions changes for the new tax year
The new tax year brings a number of changes to the pensions world, not least the first round of phasing for auto-enrolled employees.
State pension coffers 'empty' by 2033 without govt support
GAD report paints 'grim picture'
Sponsors to pass NIC increase onto employees
Most of the industry believes employers are unlikely to absorb the increase in national insurance contributions, according to PP research.
How will challenging NIC reforms impact DB schemes?
DB is to become more costly under reforms to NI contributions. PP looks at the options for sponsors.
Top five stories you may have missed
The biggest stories this week were backlash over Bentley's plans to pass NI costs onto DB members, Rothesay Life buying two-thirds of Aegon's bulk annuity book, and speculation over the future of the British Steel scheme.
Bentley gets backlash over plans to hit DB members with NI costs
Bentley Motors has been criticised over plans to pass £1.4m of national insurance (NI) costs onto the 1,300 members of its defined benefit (DB) pension scheme.
RBS rebuked over plans to hit members with £18m NI costs
Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has received backlash over plans to pass £18m of national insurance (NI) costs onto its 27,000 defined benefit (DB) scheme members.
What to look out for in today's Budget
As the Chancellor presents his Budget today, PP looks at what could come up for pensions.
How data cleansing can get schemes better bulk annuity deals
Data cleansing is an increasingly important step in the path to bulk annuities especially with growth in medical underwriting. Kristian Brunt Seymour explores how it can benefit schemes.
MPs criticise DWP over 'confusing' state pension statements
MPs have criticised the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) over its communication of pension reforms and called for urgent changes to the information being sent to people approaching retirement.
Consultation on tax and NI alignment launched
The Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) is launching its consultation into the closer alignment of income tax and national insurance contributions (NICs).
HMRC defeats Rangers FC over use of EBTs
Use of EBTs amounted to 'redirection of earnings' and therefore subject to tax, court decrees
