Friends Provident

Friends Provident International (FPI) has reported strong Q1 results despite "the toughest economic back drop" in "fragile" Europe.

Friends Provident's protection and group pensions sales were down in Q1 but there was a stronger showing for annuities and its international business.

Election fever is certainly gripping the nation and with the televised leader debates in full swing surely nobody can claim that they haven't seen or heard enough from any of our three main political parties.

Be it pre or post election, there are always imperatives; things any government or government in waiting must aim for.

Advisers are missing out on the opportunities to sell income protection (IP) presented by the new fit note and Welfare Reform Act, research suggests.

Friends Provident has voiced concerns that EU rules on long-term sick leave could impact on IP product design, as the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) notes the ruling is dissuading small businesses employing new staff.

Friends Provident received 624 claims last year; of these 578 (92.6%) were paid and 46 (7.4%) were declined.

Friends Provident is calling on the next government to help build a healthier savings culture in the UK.

Neil Hawkins, national employee communication manager at Friends Provident, gives tips on how employers can successfully get their staff to improve their pensions savings.

I have been approached by the owner of a small arts foundry with 22 employees who is interested in offering a basic level of employee benefits. He already has a life cover plan for all employees, but would like to offer something else as well. However,...