Latest Columns
-
Tilley: Rebooting the FOS makes sense
I’ve written before about the lack of coherence in the UK’s pension complaints landscape and it remains a source of real frustration for those of us working in the sector.
-
Tilley: Are we asking too much of pension savers?
Working in UK pensions, I’ve always accepted that the system evolves. Fiscal pressures change, demographics shift, and governments recalibrate policy objectives. But even allowing for that, the pace and volume of legislative change in the pensions space over the last few years feels unprecedented, and in my view increasingly problematic.
-
Lisa Webster: Beware IHT and pensions double taxation
One of the most disliked aspects of bringing pensions into the estate for inheritance tax (IHT) purposes from 6 April 2027 is the double taxation that will occur when the member dies on or after their 75th birthday.
-
Lisa Webster: Should tax-free cash always be taken?
Since the Lifetime Allowance was abolished and replaced with the Lump Sum Allowance (LSA) and lump sum and death benefit allowance (LSDBA), we have seen an increase in SIPP members who want to take drawdown only – foregoing the right to take the associated pension commencement lump sum (PCLS).
-
Lisa Webster: Good news from DWP for SIPPs but not SSAS
The DWP has just released its long-awaited consultation on the SIPP transfer regulations – and it’s largely encouraging news. As an employee of a reputable SIPP provider the changes are positive. SSAS providers may be less enthusiastic about some of the proposals.
Popular News
-
AI could bridge advice gap say pension professionals
A third (34%) of pension professionals believe artificial intelligence will boost member advice and guidance and help to close the advice gap, according to a new report.
-
4 in 10 over-55s have no plans for pension lump sum
Nearly 40% of over 55s (38%) have no plan in place for the tax-free cash they can get from their pension.
-
Lisa Webster: Good news from DWP for SIPPs but not SSAS
The DWP has just released its long-awaited consultation on the SIPP transfer regulations – and it’s largely encouraging news. As an employee of a reputable SIPP provider the changes are positive. SSAS providers may be less enthusiastic about some of the proposals.
More than half of workers (54%) are ignorant about the size of their pension pots, according to a major survey by pensions industry trade body the PLSA.
Savings sector trade body TISA and fintech Altus have launched an online self-assessment tool, the Vulnerability Radar, to help firms “understand and identify” how to support vulnerable customers.
SIPP and SSAS provider Curtis Banks has called for the protection of pension tax relief in the Budget on 11 March amid concerns relief could be chopped back or axed.
Retirement and protection specialist LV= has move to a tiered charging structure on its personal pension which will favour largers sums invested.
HMRC says that a ‘record breaking’ 11.1m taxpayers beat the 31 January tax return deadline but 958,000 still missed the cut off date.
The FCA has stressed that there will be no changes to its rules and regulations despite the UK exiting the EU tonight at 11 pm (31 January).
Following Brexit the UK will enter an implementation period which is due to last until 31 December.
The watchdog said that during this implementation period EU law will continue to apply and firms and funds will continue to benefit from passporting between the UK and EEA countries.
Consumer rights and protections under EU law will also remain in place.
In guidance to regulated firms the FCA said: “There will therefore be no changes to the reporting obligations for firms, including those for MiFIR transaction reporting, under EMIR, and for CRAs, which will continue in line with existing EU regulatory requirements.”
The windows for EEA firms to notify the FCA that they want to use the Temporary Permissions Regime (TPR), or for fund managers to notify the regulator of any funds they want to continue to market in the UK under the Temporary Marketing Permissions Regime (TMPR), closed yesterday (30 January).
Andrew Bailey, FCA chief executive, said: “The work the FCA has undertaken, along with government and the Bank of England, ensured the financial services sector was one of the best prepared industries for any of the possible Brexit outcomes.
“The implementation period gives firms a period of certainty while negotiations are continuing on our future relationship with the EU.”
He said the FCA would use the implementation period to work with government, the Bank of England, firms and other regulators to ensure the financial services industry is ready for the end of 2020.
The FCA has, however, urged firms to prepare now for actions to ensure that post 1 January 2021 they minimise risks to customers.
The FCA provides regular updates on its Brexit webpages, and firms can also call the FCA Brexit information line (0800 048 4255).