All Steve Webb articles – Page 6
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Opinion
Trustees must not shirk responsibility on DB transfers
From the blog: The Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund has, in common with many other defined benefit pension schemes, seen a significant increase in transfers out of the fund since the introduction of pensions freedoms introduced three years ago under the then pensions minister, Steve Webb.
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Opinion
Advertising transfer values: trustee duty or danger to members?
When trustees at the Rexam Pension Plan noticed a substantial spike in defined benefit transfers out of the scheme last year, it seemed like good news.
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News
More sponsors in talks with government over CDC
A handful of corporate entities have held exploratory discussions with the Department for Work and Pensions on collective defined contribution schemes, according to DWP defined benefit strategy team leader Julian Barker.
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News
CJEU rules against PPF cap
On the go: The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled that the cap imposed on benefits paid by the Pension Protection Fund is unlawful when it reduces the payments made to a saver by more than half.
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News
Regulator tells schemes to consider cutting transfer values
The Pensions Regulator asked the trustees of 14 defined benefit schemes to review their transfer processes and consider cutting transfer values for members considering cashing in their benefits.
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News
Regulator calls for schemes to consider lowering transfer values
On the go: The Pensions Regulator has asked the trustees of several defined benefit schemes to contemplate cutting transfer values for workers opting out of schemes.
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Opinion
Industry right to reject death by Isa
From the blog: MPs may have migrated to warmer climes to relax during the parliamentary recess, but the civil servants at HM Treasury have evidently been working away behind the scenes.
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News
Ombudsman’s police ruling highlights trustee duty of care
The Pensions Ombudsman has upheld a police officer’s complaint that Northumbria Police transferred his pension to a new scheme without having conducted adequate checks or provided him with sufficient warning about scams.
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News
Bank of England raises base rate to 0.75%
The Bank of England has raised its base interest rate to 0.75 per cent, its highest level since February 2009.
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News
Johnson: With-profits a better alternative to risky CDC
Plans for collective defined contribution schemes are "a risk too far", and savers should instead be offered individual savings pots invested in with-profits funds, according to one of the architects of freedom and choice.
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News
Dormant pots could cost £1bn in admin charges, research finds
Auto-enrolment is set to create 50m dormant pension pots by 2050, which may cost savers up to £1bn in administration charges, according to Hargreaves Lansdown research.
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News
DWP proposes power for regulator to impose civil fines of up to £1m
The Department for Work and Pensions has proposed granting the Pensions Regulator the ability to fine employers and associated parties up to £1m where they are found guilty of serious breaches and reckless behaviour.
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News
Government rejects calls for default decumulation pathways
The government has rejected the Work and Pensions Committee’s recommendation for default decumulation pathways, but has agreed that there is a strong case for pensions dashboard compulsion.
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News
Pensioners underspending and bequeathing most wealth on death
Many older people are underspending in retirement, and are set to bequeath the majority of their wealth to younger generations instead, according to research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies.
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News
Time running out for DWP to book 2019 bills, Webb warns
The Department for Work and Pensions is at risk of running out of time to pass key aspects of its pensions policy agenda in 2019 due to the impact of Brexit and several measures yet to even reach a consultation stage, according to former pensions minister Sir Steve Webb.
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News
Report urges pensions overhaul to fix intergenerational unfairness
The UK’s intergenerational contract is under more strain than ever, and radical reforms are needed to secure the funding of increasing care costs while helping young people to save, according to Conservative peer Lord Willetts.
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News
Excess pension freedoms tax of £22m repaid in Q1 2018
HM Revenue and Customs figures show £22m in overtaxed pension freedoms payments was repaid in the first quarter of 2018, prompting calls for reforms to the way withdrawals are taxed.
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Features
Asos staff to have choice between pension and Lisa
Online clothing retailer Asos has issued a request for proposal for a new flexible employee savings provider, after it decided to let staff choose whether to focus on saving for retirement or shorter-term goals.
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Features
Should we be worried about public sector pensions?
Analysis: A combination of weak economic growth, growing inflation and lofty discount rates may threaten unfunded public sector defined benefit schemes.
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News
Cost of tax relief plateaus at £38.6bn
The cost of tax relief on pension contributions has reached £38.6bn, only £100m more than the previous year, after jumps in 2015 and 2010. Deducting pension-related tax, the figure comes down to £25.2bn.