Pensions Buzz

Far more respondents (almost half) thought financial education was the way forward for retirees, rather than independent financial advisers (IFAs) or annuity brokers.

Buzz respondents were fairly evenly split on the likelihood of a bubble in US and UK equities.

Jack Jones looks at the reasons behind falling economic confidence in the industry

Jonathan Stapleton asks if falling confidence is leading to a portfolio re-think

This week, Buzz respondents said low interest rates have been damaging to both defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) savers.

Most Buzz respondents could not identify significant failings in what schemes were doing to alert members who might exceed their lifetime allowance.

The rules that allow retirees to take small pots as a lump sum need to be drastically simplified, say Buzz respondents.

An unprecedented period of ultra-low interest rates has harmed both defined benefit (DB) schemes and defined contribution (DC) savers, say Buzz respondents.

Respondents were split over whether investment charges should be banded in line with investment returns.

This week, respondents said consultants should be required to disclose sales targets.