The government has decided to cancel plans to create a market for secondary annuities. A statement on the Treasury’s website explained the reason for the U-turn just 6 months before it was due to be implemented. The government said, “It has become clear that creating the conditions to allow a competitive market to emerge could not be balanced with sufficient …
Withdrawals of Pension Pots Drops Down 42%
According to the data from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the total number of customers that took all their pension pot as cash fell 42% during the last quarter of 2015. The Financial Conduct Authority recognized the general fall in access to pensions after a sharp fall following the pension freedoms. The number of individuals who preferred a full withdrawal …
Drawdown interest drops and annuities surge six months after pension freedoms
New research has suggested that 10 per cent more people are likely to seek a guaranteed income – such as an annuity – than they were in the immediate aftermath of the introduction of pension freedoms in April this year. The latest index from financial forecasters eValue has revealed that 43 per cent are now exploring a guaranteed income post-retirement, …
Enhanced Annuity providers to merge
Specialist annuity providers Just Retirement and Partnership are planning a £1.7bn merger. The Enhanced Annuity providers are to merge and become the JRP Group, it has been announced today. The companies would raise £150m in equity even though they anticipate annual savings of £40m at a one-off cost of £60m. Both are comfortably capitalised on paper. But meeting the EU’s …
Ros Altmann outlines her priorities
New pensions minister Ros Altmann outlines her priorities in the role, including safeguarding the retirement ‘freedoms’ that were introduced last month. Altmann said she aimed to “protect the pensioners of today and tomorrow” as she was welcomed into the Department for Work & Pensions. She said her priorities were to “take forward work to bring in the new State Pension, help …
Budget 2014 – Retirement options
There’s a lot to understand when it comes to retirement and because you’re approaching your selected retirement date, you’re soon going to have to choose what’s best for you. Life feels better when you have a plan and the more you understand your options, the better prepared you could be. And that’s where we can help – Retirement Professionals is …