Investment

Principle of choice should now be extended in other aspects of pension reform, suggests the Annuity Bureau, as it supports government plans to scrap enforcement of annuities inflation indexing.

The Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority has for the first time since stakeholder pensions were introduced three years ago fined an employer for failing to provide its employees with access to a stakeholder pension scheme.

The Department of Work and Pensions' Employers' Pension Provision survey 2003 released today paints a distinctly mixed picture of the state of workplace pension provision.

Some UK employers are already preparing to take advantage of the proposed Pension Protection Fund by winding up schemes as soon as it comes into force next April, warns Stewart Ritchie.

Limited Price Indexation applied to DC schemes could disappear, according to comments made today by pensions minister Malcolm Wicks.

Independent Financial Advisers may pick up new business after the chancellor this week revealed advisers will be able to provide employees with tax-free advice worth up to £150 per year.

IFAs hoping for further details on the Inland Revenue's proposed simplification rules will be highly disappointed by the Budget published today as it offers little new on the changes facing pensions in the next couple of years.

Consumers should be wary of unlocking their pensions as there is a high risk of a reduced level of income in retirement, warns the FSA.

The Inland Revenue must publish the final changes to its pension simplification paper before the end of the month if A-day 2005 is to become reality, warns Steve Bee.

One flat-rate benefit paid out to all UK long-term residents over the age of 65 could work as a simple and sustainable solution to the current problems with the state pension system, says the Pensions Policy Institute.