Ask the Expert

Question: Do we yet know the criteria that existing GPP's etc., will have to fulfill in order to be exempt from having to offer Personal Accounts?

Question: If an employer currently offers a stakeholder pension scheme to which the company make no contributions, will they have to offer personal accounts and contribute 3%?

Question: It strikes me that the onus for retaining Enhanced Protection falls on the individual and, therefore, his/her Advisers. Presumably, if the individual forgets to 'opt out' and loses Enhanced Protection, as a result, the blame falls fairly and...

Question: Has any decision been made about the affect of auto-enrolment on individuals with 'Enhanced Protection'?

Question: Will the 3% contibutions apply to all earnings including Shift Allowances, Bonus and Overtime?

Question: If a client already has a personal pension, independent of any employer scheme, and pays 5% of income into it. Will they, possibly on affordability grounds, have to redirect some of that premium into the new personal account at the expense...

Question: Is it true an employee who is compelled to have a personal account will still be a member of S2P as well?

Question: How will personal accounts affect existing pension provision? How can advisers prepare for 2012?

Question: What needs to be done to help employers that are currently without an occupational scheme meet the requirements of the new rules? Are personal accounts the best option or could group personal pension alternatives offer a better solution?

Question: Is there a danger that companies with occupational schemes will level down contributions to the personal accounts minimum? Is this the common sense approach to the new rules?