Osborne's pensions revolution: Everything you need to know

Everything you need to know about Osborne's pensions revolution

Jenna Towler
clock

Chancellor George Osborne used his fifth Budget speech to unveil an unprecedented package of pension reforms, clearly stating "no one will have to buy an annuity" in the future. Here, we round up all the important measures and outline what's happened since...

Speaking on 19 March 2014, Osborne said some 13 million defined contribution (DC) savers were being railroaded towards buying an annuity with their pension savings but this would end from 6 April 2015. He told the House of Commons: "Tax rules around these pensions suggest pensioners can't be trusted with their own pension pots. I reject this view." Limits on drawdown and flexible drawdown would be first reduced, then scrapped while "trust" would be handed back to savers, Osborne said. He also said each and every DC saver would get "free impartial advice on how to get the most of th...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Income

Doug Brodie: Using investment trusts to solve the drawdown problem

Doug Brodie: Using investment trusts to solve the drawdown problem

Part one in a series...

Doug Brodie
clock 14 November 2025 • 4 min read
'A hard act to beat': Annuity pricing and value for money

'A hard act to beat': Annuity pricing and value for money

‘People cannot have their cake and eat it (although they try)’

William Burrows
clock 04 November 2025 • 5 min read
L&G forecasts annual annuity volumes to more than double to £20bn by 2034

L&G forecasts annual annuity volumes to more than double to £20bn by 2034

To launch blended annuity drawdown product next year

Jenna Brown
clock 23 October 2025 • 4 min read