ABI

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has warned that Labour's recently announced plans to extend auto-enrolment to lower earners would "damage businesses" while "failing to help low earners".

Figures showing insurance companies declined fewer than 3,500 of more than 102,000 protection claims last year "shatter the illusion" that providers don't pay, according to stakeholders.

The Investment Management Association (IMA)is to merge with the Association of British Insurers' (ABI) investment affairs unit in a bid to give fund managers a single, stronger representative voice.

Steve Webb would be "nervous" about providers playing a part in the Chancellor's guidance-for-all at retirement pledge.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) and Association of Professional Financial Advisers (APFA) have issued joint guidance for advisers and insurers on complying with new tax information requirements.

In this week's Retirement Planner news round-up we highlight five key stories you might have missed over the past seven days.

Could insurance companies deliver a retirement ‘advice' service that is both cost effective and able to pass a public test of impartiality?

The insurance industry is capable of cost effectively delivering the Chancellor's ‘retirement advice for all' pledge, but passing the "impartiality test" would be challenging, Otto Thoresen told MPs.

Martin Wheatley, the chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), is facing calls for his resignation after the regulator made an "extraordinary blunder" that hit insurers' share prices, according to reports.

Otto Thoresen's recent letter to The Sunday Telegraph shows an industry that is ready for change. All of the recommendations put forward seem sensible and will go a long way towards helping people get more from their retirement income.