All Royal London articles – Page 6
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Opinion
Transfers reform would provide vital clarity
When George Osborne’s freedom and choice reforms were introduced two years ago, some argued that traditional liberation fraud would be all but eliminated as members seeking to convert a defined contribution fund into a lump sum payment could now do so legally.
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News
Concerns over Lisa mis-selling remain as consultation closes
The Financial Conduct Authority’s consultation on rules for selling lifetime Isas will close on Wednesday, amid continued industry concern that the draft regulation will not do enough to stop inappropriate choice of products.
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Opinion
What we can expect from the pension scams consultation
The government’s consultation into pension scams contains four very sensible proposals that will make it harder for scammers to operate. This a great step in significantly improving consumer protection in this area.
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News
Ownership or nudge? How to make auto-escalation work
The pensions industry and government must instil a sense of “personal ownership” over pensions in currently underprepared members if auto-enrolment is to achieve its aims, pensions minister Richard Harrington has said.
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News
Chancellor proposes ban on cold calling, refrains from pensions tax overhaul
In his first and last Autumn Statement, Chancellor Philip Hammond swapped the timing of the Budget and the Statement but had comparatively little to say about pensions for now; one of the larger measures – a consultation into pensions fraud – was welcomed by the industry.
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News
Trustees not convinced by indexation change arguments
Trustees are overwhelmingly in favour of restructuring scheme benefit structures in response to the defined benefit crisis, a recent survey has suggested, but stop short of supporting a statutory override on increases of accrued benefits.
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Opinion
Autumn (Statement) mood
From the blog: More than a month to go until the Autumn Statement, and the first shots are already being fired.
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Opinion
The savings crisis: Top-up v save more tomorrow
Analysis: The debate about tax relief on pension contributions and incentives for saving has kept industry and policymakers entertained (or unamused) for five or six years now.
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News
Nest drawdown proposals: Competitors fear disruption
The dust has settled on government's call for evidence on the expansion of Nest into the drawdown market, but it seems the war of words between industry professionals is far from over.
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Opinion
Should Nest expand into decumulation?
In July 2016, the Department for Work and Pensions launched a three-month consultation on the future of the Nest.
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News
Pensions dashboard prototype to launch by next spring
The Treasury has said it will be working with 11 pension providers to release a prototype of the pensions dashboard by March 2017.
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News
CPI and RPI gap at largest for five years as schemes eye law change
The retail price index and consumer price index were the farthest apart they have been for five years in last month’s inflation figures, prompting debate that legislation could level the playing field for schemes using RPI for benefit increases.
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Opinion
Pensions Ombudsman set to cast interventional net wider
From the blog: Last week the Pensions Ombudsman said the agency would begin taking a more proactive approach to interventions, especially in appeals that can have broader implications for the pensions industry – a departure from its previously more placatory tone.
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News
Select committees: Philip Green has 'moral duty' to help fix BHS pension deficit
A joint report published by the Work and Pensions Committee and the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee found negligence caused BHS’s pensions deficit, and opened the possibility of increasing the Pensions Regulator’s powers.
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News
Uptick in scams prompts call for tighter regulation
A recent increase in reports of suspected pension scams has been called “the tip of the iceberg”, as experts said tighter legislation would help schemes ensure their members do not lose hard-earned retirement savings.
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News
Webb: New face at DWP will not loosen Treasury's grip on pensions tax
Philip Hammond’s appointment as chancellor of the exchequer is unlikely to see the Department for Work and Pensions regain control of pensions reform, according to former pensions minister Steve Webb.
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News
Property or pension: Where downsizing could pay off
A new report warns people planning to downsize to smaller properties and using the proceeds to fund their retirements that the resulting income will only be a fraction of a workplace pension.
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Opinion
Playing the waiting game
Editorial: As the reality of the leave vote is sinking in, the British stiff upper lip is invoked incessantly by the pensions industry in an attempt to convince themselves and each other that things can’t be as bad as they are.
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Opinion
Reconfiguring DC: The pensions dashboard
The Specialist: The pensions dashboard could be the upgrade the industry needs to take it into the digital age, but it is at risk of being just another expensive neglected technology project.
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News
Field’s proposal for scheme deficits bill raises pension cut fears
Former pensions minister Steve Webb has warned that a new bill proposed by Work and Pensions Committee chair Frank Field to deal with DB deficits – including by introducing flexible benefits – is a “worrying” development that could undermine people’s confidence in the pension system.