Aegon

John Hutton, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, has effectively quashed suggestions of a u-turn on the removal of the restrictions relating to protected rights.

James Purnell, Minister for Pensions Reform, has revealed the government is willing to consider representations for a contribution limit for personal accounts lower than £5,000.

The Financial Services Authority has announced which industry figures will lead the working groups of its retail distribution review, launched in June last year.

Schemes which earn a proposed pension quality mark could benefit from longer waiting times for new joiners once auto-enrolment comes into effect, says James Purnell.

A national approach to generic advice should cover a wide range of financial issues and questions including offering "advice on advisers", says the government.

The Association of International Life Offices (AILO) recently published the new business figures for the third quarter of 2006. The figures are impressive, showing single premium business of £6.5 billion, up 31.79% on the same time last year.

Members can now protect their entitlement to more than 25% tax free cash, or an early retirement age, if they are assigned a policy after their original scheme winds-up.

Zurich has announced it is exploring the possibility of selling its closed book of annuity business.

Standard Life has announced it is withdrawing its pension term assurance policy as of today, following strong hints by the Treasury it will withdraw the right to use the product.

The Law Commission's proposal to introduce a non-contestability period into protection policies will cause insurers to be more selective about which clients they put on their books, according to speakers at an RGA life insurance conference.