While in the short-term savers and investors are taking an economic hit through stock market volatility and low interest rates, there’s mixed news from pension specialists XPS, who are forecasting “long-term vulnerabilities in pension schemes following the pandemic” – as well as a potential £90bn reduction in the funds’ liabilities and a boost to annuity […]

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has called for changes to tax relief on pensions to make the system more equal. The move comes in the wake a report from the Pensions Policy Institute (PPI) which demonstrated that higher earners gain most from the current system – particularly men. Tax relief tops up pension savings, […]

The pandemic has wrought huge changes in recent months… not least in the way many employers have had come to terms with more flexible ways of working.   So will this be a template for a “new normal” which will prove a boon to older people keen to boost their retirement finances by remaining at work […]

Fidelity International has issued a stark warning that over half (51%) of the UK’s pension investors will not have enough money to meet their needs in retirement because of a drop in the value of retirement savings following the impact of Covid-19. Fidelity’s Investor Survey captures current UK investor and found that just 29% of […]

New guidance from The Pensions Regulator (TPR) asks trustees to warn DB members looking to move retirement funds of the risks during the pandemic and urging them to consider the decision carefully. Since 2015, pensions freedoms have given scheme members more flexibility in how they can access their pension: many have taken advantage of this […]

Savers are continuing to see their future retirement incomes suffer – with pension funds and annuity rates still well below their pre-pandemic levels. The latest Moneyfacts UK Personal Pension Trends Treasury Report shows that in the first quarter of this year, the average annual standard annuity income for a 65-year-old (based on a single life […]

By Mark Soper Shortly before the outbreak of Covid-19, a confident, newly-installed Chancellor stood up in the House of Commons and delivered a raft of measures and stimulus that effectively put an end to austerity. With a landslide win in the December Election and the first phase of Brexit accomplished, the Government – the non-team […]

Are you somewhere north of 45 and still employed on a full time or part time basis… but worrying about how the coming years might pan out as your aspirations and situation changes? Then a new book has just been published which can provide the guidance you need to navigate the future. The book – […]

Firstly and most important, we hope you’re safe and well. Your mind may be racing with all the things that need rearranging, postponing, cancelling, how to stay afloat financially and keep friends and family safe. So there has never been a more important time to take control of your finances. As I’m sure you are well aware, […]

New data from the Department for Work and Pensions shows a sharp dip in the average weekly income from occupational pensions – down to £181 in 2018-19 from £199 in 2016-17 – for those who have reached State Pension Age (SPA). The fall in part reflects the steadily reducing numbers of people retiring with defined […]