Investment

The ABI's annual summary of new life and pensions business indicates a pick up in Annual Premium Equivalent (APE) figures and a prodigious increase in individual single premium business.

SIPP firm A J Bell has criticized the Inland Revenue's intention to impose minimum unsecured pension as a part of ‘back door' change to A-Day tax legislation.

Advisors are cottoning on to the importance of a fast approaching A-Day, as take-up of providers roadshows is climbing with the realization of work required from IFAs before April 2006.

Bill Midgley, president of the British Chamber of Commerce , has come out in defence of the Government's agenda regarding UK civil service pensions.

In a quick-fire response, the Liberal Democrats claim pension plans laid out by the Tories yesterday will not aid the poorest two-thirds of pensioners but make many poorer still.

Amid the complications concerning rules running up to A-Day, eight out of ten IFAs have recorded a significant upward curve in SIPP business over the past twelve months, research indicates.

Advisers are sounding out early warnings regarding the overburden providers face in the 'last-minute' run up to A-Day, 6 April 2006, when the rules of simplifying pensions are implemented.

The Conservative Party has pledged to re-establish the basic state pension earnings link, reduce the role of means-tested benefits, and scrap compulsory annuity purchase for 75-year-olds under a new Conservative Government.

Working Brits begin saving for their retirement at the age of 31 and put away an average £198 a month, leading the way for countries in Europe, research indicates.

The controversial Pension Protection Fund has launched its website.