Retirement

The Public Service Pensions Bill 2013 will today be announced in parliament amid controversy over major strike action by unions.

James Hay Partnership has confirmed it is making a concerted push into the small self-administered scheme market with the appointment of Holly Watts as head of SSAS new business development.

The Equity Release Solicitors Alliance (ERSA) and its seven member firms have been admitted to the Equity Release Council.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to begin a widespread advertising push on September 17 using "trusted voices" in the media to gain public support for auto-enrolment.

AUTO-IGNORANCE

Axa Wealth has confirmed it will not retain any commission on advised top-ups after the Retail Distribution Review (RDR), insisting charges will be reduced for clients.

Aviva is to axe four products to new business, including its Aviva self-invested personal pension (SIPP), blaming duplication in the product range for the move.

The government "should not pay much attention" to unions' threats to strike over public sector pension and pay reforms, chief Treasury secretary Danny Alexander has said.

Lighthouse Financial Advice has agreed a three-year contract extension to provide advice services to the 17,000 members of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL).

Retirement Planner's round-up of the top pension stories this week.