Standard Life

An amendment made to the Pensions Bill by Baroness Hollis, ahead of its first debate in the House of Lords, could help ease the impact of means-testing on personal accounts, says Standard Life.

New amendments to the Pensions Bill 2007 mean protected rights will still be treated separately from existing savings through the requirement to purchase a 50% spouses pension, claims Standard Life.

Advisory firm Montfort International has attacked some Australian financial advisers and pension funds for using "scare tactics" to encourage pension transfers from the UK ahead of the changes to the Australian system on 1 July.

HM Revenue & Customs has confirmed it will make changes to current legislation to allow Australian schemes to continue to be included as Qualified Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes (QROPS) where appropriate.

Advisers should be aware trusts can be used to minimise the effects of IHT through a ‘dripfeed' approach as well as large one-off gifts, Standard Life says.

Although more than half of parents are prepared to financially help their children buy their first home, many could be risking their offspring's property by failing to consider Inheritance Tax.

Standard Life's first annual general meeting since its listing on the London Stock Exchange in July last year has seen shareholders pass all proposed resolutions including agreeing a first dividend of 5.4p a share.

Threesixty has assured IFA clients its independent status will not be affected by Standard Life taking a minority stake in the business.

Life and pensions sales for Standard Life have risen over 50% in the first three months of 2007, driven by strong growth in Self Invested Personal Pensions, although figures reveal protection sales have fallen 44% year-on-year.

A new director of life and savings has been appointed by the Association of British Insurers to start in July.