Retirement

Some agents selling Harlequin properties before March 2009 misled investors into thinking that their investment money would be held securely in ring-fenced accounts.

The acceleration of the introduction of the single tier flat-rate state pension to April 2016 has been confirmed by pensions minister Steve Webb.

Politicians in Cyprus are considering exempting bank accounts with deposits of 20,000 euros (£17,000) or less from the planned country-wide levy.

LV= is reducing rates on its lump sum lifetime mortgage until Friday 12 April 2013.

TailorMade Independent, a distributor of Harlequin Property investments, has had its permissions changed to restrict its ability to carry on new pensions business.

FIVE THINGS

James Hay Partnership has started quoting drawdown business at 120% GAD before legislation is changed on 26 March.

Chancellor George Osborne is to bring forward the introduction of the flat-rate state pension and the cap on social care by a year.

Interest-only borrowers and elderly homeowners needing long-term care will drive growth in the equity release market, the Equity Release Council chairman has said.

Age Partnership, a retirement services adviser, has raised concern for equity release customers over the marketing of Property Protection Trusts.