Retirement

Work and pensions Secretary John Hutton has this morning admitted the National Pensions Saving Scheme is designed to cut out independent financial advice.

IFAonline is launching an exciting new service next week which gives you the chance to put questions to minister for pension reform Stephen Timms MP.

Details of the anti-avoidance rule to stop the recycling of tax-free cash published by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), has been described as "mind-numbingly complex" and very complicated by the pensions industry.

Most intermediaries are confident of an up-turn in business come A-Day new research reveals.

More than eight million homeowners have an estate worth more than the current Inheritance Tax (IHT) threshold of £275,000, claims new research from Scottish Widows.

The Capital Tax Office and the Treasury are still unable to agree on how inheritance tax (IHT) will apply to pensions eight weeks before A-Day, IFAonline has learnt.

A consultation published by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) on the proposed European Directive on the portability of occupational pensions, suggests it could cost employers and employees an extra £210m a year in contributions.

An industry alternative to the National Pensions Saving Scheme (NPSS) will feature "a radical reduction in cost and the role of advice", Lord Turner has stated.

The Pensions Regulator is planning a series of free workshops to give practical guidance on dealing with scheme funding issues.

Advisers are being offered a whole new way to organise their business by Cofunds and Legal & General.