Retirement

More than half a million people will be able to take advantage of the government's changing regulation around pensions from 6 April, according to latest official estimates.

A drawdown charge cap should be placed on sales to provider's existing customers to ensure people are not sold inappropriate products after pensions freedom comes into effect, Which? has said.

Standard Life will scrap charges linked to its flexible drawdown product in readiness for pensions freedom from 6 April.

Retirement Planner is hosting its third breakfast briefing on 26 March looking at the options and opportunities pensions freedom presents for advisers.

Aviva has said it expects its acquisition of rival Friends Life to generate extra revenue of £600m over the next two years, including and cost savings for the company of £225m.

Aegon has launched a dedicated website and interactive tool to assist advisers working with clients on pensions flexibility.

HSBC Global Asset Management has introduced a range of multi-asset retirement funds for the defined contribution (DC) pension marketplace.

Insurer LV= has called for a levy to be put on transactions where a client purchases a retirement plan from their existing pensions provider.

All defined benefit (DB) pension transfers after 6 April will be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to ensure mandatory advice has been taken and fully understood.

Consumer champion Which? was one of just two organisations told about the pension reforms before last year's Budget, the organisation's executive director has said.