Govt must protect retirees from 'rip off' drawdown charges - Labour

Jenna Towler
clock •

Labour has urged the government to ensure none of the 320,000 savers expected to take advantage of pension freedoms are exposed to "rip off charges".

The opposition said hundreds of thousands of people are expected to look for annuity replacement products from April next year, exposing them to potentially high charges. From April next year people aged over 55 will be able to access their pension pots as and when they wish. Many will opt for drawdown contracts, seeing part of their pot remain invested. Labour said the government had not factored the risks associated with income drawdown into its plans. It suggested a charge cap may be necessary to prevent investors losing out. Shadow pensions minister Gregg McClymont said: “Labour we...

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 Pensions

Do clients already own the best retirement portfolio?

Do clients already own the best retirement portfolio?

'Feeling safer and being safer aren't the same thing'

Alex Funk
clock 29 October 2026 • 4 min read
Budget 26: Government to get rid of two-year tax rule on lump sum death benefits

Budget 26: Government to get rid of two-year tax rule on lump sum death benefits

Changes will also be made to how tax due on excess lump sum death benefits is collected

Jonathan Stapleton
clock 28 October 2026 • 1 min read
Budget 26: State pensioners to be shielded from income tax

Budget 26: State pensioners to be shielded from income tax

State pension expected to rise to £13,036

Sophia Panayi
clock 28 October 2026 • 2 min read