Pension liberation
Five stories you may have missed this week
The top stories this week were Gallagher’s acquisition of AHC, and the publication of the GMP Equalisation Working Group’s methodology guidance.
Two scammers jailed after coaxing savers to transfer £1m to fake scheme
Two men were sentenced to jail after luring 16 victims into transferring nearly £1m of their pensions into a non-existent occupational scheme in an "elaborate" liberation scam.
Ombudsman enquiries up 22% in 2016/17 as transfer complaints double
The number of enquiries handled by the Pensions Ombudsman's (PO) increased by more than a fifth to over 6,000 during the past financial year, according to its annual report.
TPR bans trustees after scamming savers with exotic investments
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has banned two trustees after they lost over £15m of members' funds in unregulated investments.
Trustees need more help in dealing with pension fraud
Trustees need more support if pension fraud is to be dealt with effectively says Helen Morrissey.
What happened in pensions in 2016: Part One
This year has been a busy one for the pensions industry. Professional Pensions looks at what happened between January and March.
Increased ombudsman appeal intervention has to be a good thing
Helen Morrissey asks what impact the ombudsman's decision to participate in more appeals against its decisions will have
Insolvency Service shuts down pension liberation company
The Insolvency Service has wound up a pension liberation company which helped savers access their funds earlier than allowed, following a High Court battle.
Ombudsman will take part in appeals against its decisions
The Pensions Ombudsman (PO) Service has confirmed it will participate in appeals against its own determinations as it seeks to take a more interventionist approach.
Ombudsman supports Royal London in £113k transfer complaint
The Pensions Ombudsman (PO) has backed Royal London's decision to allow a scheme member to transfer £112,542 into another fund.
Liberation now most common complaint investigated by ombudsman
Freedom and choice has helped fuel an 18% increase in complaints to the Pensions Ombudsman (PO) over the last year, according to its annual report and accounts.
Scammers targeted by July awareness campaign
An anti-scam campaign will run for the next four weeks to help improve awareness of fraudsters' common traits, following concerns they are increasingly targeting pension fund members.
TPR acts on governance failings in London Quantum scheme
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has given fresh warnings about pension liberation as it takes action to protect members in the London Quantum Retirement Benefit Scheme.
