HM Treasury

Billy Mackay examines the issues surrounding early access to pensions and asks whether it is really a good idea

Rural communities risk being cut off from financial advice as their IFAs exit the industry under the weight of the RDR and levy hikes, MPs were told today.

The ABI has given its backing to the Treasury's simplified products proposal and highlighted the need for a government supported replacement to payment protection insurance (PPI).

Advisers should be able to decide when and to whom they recommend 'simple' products, the IMA says.

Bradford & Bingley (B&B) shareholders had their hopes of compensation dashed today after an independent assessor upheld his previous ruling against a payout.

Mark Garnier has insisted only the FSA can change the course of RDR, despite the interventions of politicians and ministers.

The Treasury could scrap civil servants' right to keep their pensions when their services are bought out by private sector companies.

People in the UK are not saving enough for retirement, and radical action is needed.

The government has bowed to industry pressure to make the new Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) more open and accountable to the industry and MPs than its predecessor the FSA.

Reforms to public sector pensions have been delayed until summer 2011, the Treasury has confirmed.