pensions

A PARLIAMENTARY watchdog's long-awaited report into what went wrong at Equitable Life and whether government departments were at fault, has been delayed and is unlikely to appear until October at the earliest, reports The Guardian .

Up to 57% of people would consider taking their state pension a few years later than the minimum retirement age if this meant a larger payout new research from Skandia claims.

Regulation of a National Pension Savings Scheme (NPSS) model will be very difficult and expensive to implement based on the current problems with stakeholder pensions, claims an industry expert.

New rules relating to employers' pension contributions after A-Day could lead to a system of "postcode pensions" where some payments are allowed and some are rejected.

This morning's papers focus on the Confederation of British Industry's response to the Turner report in which it argues forcing employers to contribute to pensions could put small companies out of business and lead to bigger ones cutting back their pension...

Retirement planning remains the main reason for seeking financial advice, claims research from IFA Promotion (IFAP).

The bulk of self-invested personal pension (Sipp) providers cannot give details of their charges post A-Day, revealed an adviser forum on IFAonline.tv.

The Association of British Insurers has "caved in" and agreed with proposals presented by the Pensions Commission, say intermediaires, in presenting its 'Partnership Pensions' alternative to the National Pensions Savings Scheme (NPSS).

Stephen Timms, minister for pensions reform, says compulsory employer contributions are a significant element of the National Pension Savings Scheme (NPSS) proposals, suggesting it could feature in the government's White Paper on pensions in the spring....

EVIDENCE THE mortgage market rebounded in the last six months of 2005 was provided yesterday by Bradford & Bingley (B&B) and Britannia building society, which both revealed they had lent record amounts, reports The Guardian .