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Pensions - Latest Pensions


  • Public sector pensions to be capped
    Ruth Emery
    09.12.09
    In a surprise move, Alistair Darling has opted to cap public state pension contributions by 2012 - saving the government around £1 billion a year.
  • Do you know your pension rights?
    Harriet Meyer
    07.12.09
    Many of us are unsure exactly how much we can expect from the state when we retire. Harriet Meyer guides you through the complex state pension rules.
  • Your routes to boosting pension cash
    Faith Glasgow
    30.11.09
    How to draw cash from your nest egg is not a decision to be taken lightly. Faith Glasgow explains why all of your investment pots should play a part in the choices you make.
  • Harvest the most from your pension pot
    Sam Barrett
    16.11.09
    What are the best ways to generate income from your retirement funds? Sam Barrett goes through the options available so you can decide what's best for you.
  • Retirement ain't what it used to be
    Jamie Milne
    13.11.09
    It's not all about lawn bowls and bingo for those retiring these days. Jamie Milne heads to the Glasgow leg of the Retirement Show's tour to see what it has to offer retirees.
  • Don't make these classic pension mistakes
    Rebecca Atkinson
    16.10.09
    Make a mistake with your pension, and you could end up paying for it the rest of your life. Moneywise reveals the most common mistakes and explains how to avoid them.
  • State pension to rise by £2.40
    Rebecca Atkinson
    14.10.09
    Pensioners will see their state pensions increase by £2.40 next year, half the rise seen in April this year.
  • The age-old pension puzzle
    Ruth Emery
    01.10.09
    The UK pensions system has evolved beyond recognition over the past 30 years under the impact of government meddling and our rising longevity. Ruth Emery charts the death of Serps and the rise of the SIPP.
  • Pension quality mark launched
    Rebecca Atkinson
    21.09.09
    BG Group and Marks & Spencer are among seven companies to be lauded for their work in improving people's confidence and understanding of workplace pensions.
  • A walk in the dark
    Ceri Jones
    14.09.09
    Opportunities and hidden traps confront investors in quoted companies with pension scheme deficits. Ceri Jones explains what to watch out for.
  • Expats in pension challenge
    Rebecca Atkinson
    02.09.09
    Brits who retire abroad could have their pensions increased each year as part of a landmark legal challenge being heard by a European court.
  • The best pension providers
    Nathalie Bonney
    27.08.09
    Don't follow short-term savings projects at the expense of your pension, says Nathalie Bonney. We reveal the winners of Moneywise's 2009 pension awards.
  • Enhance your pension income by 40%
    Rebecca Atkinson
    19.08.09
    Pension pots have been hit hard by the impact of the credit crunch, but thousands of retirees could boost their retirement income by as much as 40%.
  • Can you afford to retire?
    Rebecca Atkinson
    17.07.09
    Increasing numbers of people are having to delay their retirement plans because of the credit crunch. Rebecca Atkinson looks at what you can do now to achieve your retirement ambitions.
  • Can you afford to retire?
    Rebecca Atkinson
    17.07.09
    Increasing numbers of people are having to delay their retirement plans because of the credit crunch. Rebecca Atkinson looks at what you can do now to achieve your retirement ambitions.
  • FTSE 100 pension deficit exceeds £300bn
    Rebecca Atkinson
    16.07.09
    Pension deficits have risen to the highest levels ever seen, with schemes run by FTSE 100-listed companies estimated to be short by more than £300 billion.
  • Health warning on mortgages and pensions
    Rebecca Atkinson
    08.07.09
    Mortgages, pensions and other financial products could be issued with traffic-light ratings in a similar way to food, as part of government plans to improve transparency for customers.
  • Time to fight back
    Ceri Jones
    06.07.09
    The Budget's new pension rules have hit high earners particularly hard, but there is a way to benefit from salary sacrifice and turn income into gains, finds Ceri Jones.
  • Pension complaints jump 10%
    Rebecca Atkinson
    01.07.09
    Complaints relating to pensions have jumped by 10% since March 2008, with nearly 8,000 disputes referred to The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS) over the 12 month period.
  • Home sweet loan
    Ruth Emery
    05.06.09
    The negative equity days of the 1980s are a thing of the past, but does that mean equity release is now a sensible route to take? Ruth Emery reports.
  • British firms slash staff pensions
    Rhian Nicholson
    04.06.09
    A rash of British companies have imposed further cutbacks on staff pensions in the wake of plunging investment markets and mounting fears of huge shortfalls.
  • How to boost your pension
    Faith Glasgow
    03.06.09
    Our pension 
nest-eggs have been hit hard by the 
market turmoil, but don't let that put you off this tax-efficient way to prepare for your retirement. 
Faith Glasgow shows you how to boost your pension.
  • Death knell for final salary schemes
    Ruth Emery
    24.04.09
    It is feared that the Government may be planning to scrap tax relief on employer pension contributions for high earners - potentially sounding the death knell for final salary schemes.
  • Good Budget for pensioners
    Ruth Emery
    22.04.09
    Alistair Darling's second Budget appears to hold some good news for pensioners struggling during the UK's worst economic period since World War II.
  • Protect yourself from pension shortfalls
    Rebecca Atkinson
    08.04.09
    New research reveals the average woman's pension is worth £6,642 less than the average man's. Find out how you can beat the gender gap and prepare yourself for retirement.
  • Pensioners squeezed by bail-out plans
    Rebecca Atkinson
    11.03.09
    The Bank of England's plan to create more money to get banks lending again could have a devastating impact on pensioners, experts have warned.
  • Pensions are dead! Long live the ISA
    Ros Altmann
    29.01.09
    The credit crisis has been a disaster for pensions, says Ros Altmann, with basic-rate taxpayers turning to the tax-free benefits of ISAs.
  • Should you swap your pension for an ISA?
    Rebecca Atkinson
    27.01.09
    A leading pensions commentator says basic-rate taxpayers might be better off ditching their pensions and switching to saving in an ISA instead.
  • Keep your retirement savings on track
    Faith Glasgow
    19.01.09
    Falls in the stock market are a worry for anyone who is saving for retirement. Faith Glasgow explains what you need to know to ensure you hit your investment target whatever your age.
  • State pension to increase next April
    Rebecca Atkinson
    12.12.08
    The Government has confirmed that the state pension will increase by 5% from next April to take into account the higher cost of living.
  • Choices for your pot
    Faith Glasgow
    03.12.08
    Annuities, drawdown, equity release... pensions can be taken in myriad forms, says Faith Glasgow.
  • Plan your next move
    Fiona Hamilton
    03.12.08
    The opportunity to give your protected rights pot greater investment freedom is a decision not to be taken lightly, writes Fiona Hamilton.
  • Don't give up a giveaway
    Ruth Emery
    02.12.08
    Workplace schemes are a vital part of the pensions toolkit and shouldn't be ignored, writes Ruth Emery.
  • Mix a pot of plenty
    Sarah Das
    02.12.08
    Your age is just as important as risk appetite and objective when it comes to deciding which pension assets are right for you, finds Sarah Das.
  • Unlock your options
    Ruth Emery
    02.12.08
    The lack of definition over what constitutes a self-invested personal pension makes choosing a plan very tricky, says Ruth Emery.
  • Pre-Budget "cheated" pensioners
    Rebecca Atkinson
    28.11.08
    The pre-Budget report will make it harder for pensioners to buy missing national insurance contributions, according to pensions experts.
  • Boost for pensioners
    Ruth Emery
    24.11.08
    Pensioners are set to receive a financial boost as early as January 2009 after chancellor Alistair Darling pledged to pump up benefits and the state pension, writes Ruth Emery.
  • Should I put my protected rights into a SIPP?
    Rob Griffin
    15.10.08
    Millions of people can now benefit from greater flexibility and control over how their pension funds are invested. Rob Griffin investigates whether you should take the plunge or not.
  • Pensions for kids
    Sam Barrett
    20.08.08
    Taking out a pension for your child may seem like an odd idea, but it's a great way to invest for their future. Sam Barrett looks at the parents' options.
  • Are annuities being mis-sold?
    Rebecca Atkinson
    03.06.08
    Annuities could be the next pension mis-selling scandal because insurance companies are not fully highlighting the customers' right to shop around, reports Rebecca Atkinson.
  • Get set and go for retirement
    Sarah Coles
    29.05.08
    Taking the time to choose the right annuity for you could give your income a big boost. Sarah Coles explains what to do.
  • Pension buyouts could hit £10 billion
    08.05.08
    The value of pension buyout deals could hit £10 billion in 2008, a three-fold increase on last year, a report by pensions advisory firm Lane Clarke & Peacock (LCP) said on Thursday.
  • Every cloud has a silver lining
    Rebecca Atkinson
    06.05.08
    It is hard to look on the bright side of life when in the midst of a credit crunch. But as Rebecca Atkinson discovers, every cloud has a silver lining.
  • Don't lose out on your state pension
    Hannah Ricci
    28.03.08
    Less than a third of women are eligible for the full state pension. However, as Hannah Ricci reveals, there's plenty you can do to boost your entitlement.
  • Pensions swing to £21bn surplus
    03.03.08
    Company defined-benefit pension schemes have swung to a record total surplus, as a result of rising corporate bond yields and improved equity markets.
  • A hands-on way to grow your pension pot
    Nina Montagu-Smith
    28.02.08
    SIPPs are no longer the preserve of the rich as set-up costs come down and providers let you invest ever smaller amounts. But are they the right pension for you? Nina Montagu-Smith investigates.
  • Are public sector pensions too generous?
    20.02.08
    There are still calls for public sector pensions to match the private sector, but trade unions insist the sector is low paid and a cut would hit them hard.
  • Pension trustees fear private equity
    05.02.08
    Almost three quarters of trustees of company final-salary pension schemes would be concerned if their firms were taken over by a private equity firm, a survey has revealed.
  • Pension funds lose billions in share slump
    30.01.08
    The global share sell-off may have claimed up to £753 billion of the value of global institutional pension fund assets since the start of this year, a report has said.
  • Put some life into your pension
    Harriet Meyer
    10.01.08
    Recent changes to the pension regulations have opened the door for several new ways of enhancing your pension. Harriet Meyer explores the options.
  • Pensions puzzle
    05.12.07
    A reader wants to comprehend the relationship between state and private pensions. Adviser Francis Klonowski explains.
  • Winding down from work
    05.12.07
    Soon to be made redundant, this reader seeks advice on the best use of his redundancy money. Simon Pritchard-Jones, a specialist in financial planning, offers advice.
  • Securing a financial future
    Hannah Ricci
    03.12.07
    The Halls would like to secure their financial future and save for a comfortable retirement. An expert tells then where and how to fine tune their finances.
  • Top 10 jobs for pensions
    Sam Barrett
    03.12.07
    Which job you do could make all the difference to your pension. Sam Barrett reveals those with the best rewards for your labours.
  • Changes in final salary rules
    Rachel Lacey
    29.11.07
    New rules for final salary members could see a slash in the rate of growth in deferred pensions, reports Rachel Lacey.
  • Placing a stake for retirement
    James Watson
    27.11.07
    Stakeholder pensions are an efficient and robust way of saving for retirement and more of us should be using them. James Watson investigates what they can do for your pension pot.
  • Put your pension pot to work
    Jeff Salway
    12.11.07
    Why spend all the money you've saved for your retirement on your pension provider's annuity? Jeff Salway investigates the different ways of arranging your retirement income.
  • Pensions and property
    Hannah Ricci
    07.09.07
    Can you move money from a pension into property before retirement? An IFA provides the answer
  • Plummeting pensions
    Matt Pitcher
    17.08.07
    A reader's husband finds his personal pension falling, just as his payments soar in the opposite direction.
  • Women can beat pension gap
    Harriet Meyer
    06.08.07
    Women have increased their earning power but many still need to act to avoid poverty in retirement. Harriet Meyer explains how to beat this gender gap.
  • How can I max out my pension?
    18.07.07
    If your main priority is building your funds for your future retirement, you should maximise the tax-efficiency of your pension.
  • Pensions shut to new entrants
    11.07.07
    A survey from the Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA) shows that 81% of schemes are closed, up from 68% two years ago.
  • Take advantage of new pension rules
    Hannah Ricci
    17.05.07
    New pension rules were introduced last year, but one year on awareness is still limited. Hannah Ricci finds out what they can do to help you retire your way.
  • How is your with-profits fund?
    Rob Griffin
    17.04.07
    Before another disappointing bonus causes you to dump your with-profits policy, it's wise to take a closer look. Rob Griffin considers the pros and cons of giving up and hanging on.
  • Brown faces Commons on pensions
    03.04.07
    Chancellor Gordon Brown faces a parliamentary debate over claims he ignored warnings over the impact of changes he made to pension funds in his first budget.
  • Financial planning for old age
    Kirstie Redford
    21.03.07
    It's hard for parents and children to talk about the financial implications of ageing. But it's vital to make financial planning for old age a family affair, says Kristie Redford.
  • Pension options for spare bit of cash
    21.03.07
    If you have extra cash every month to put into your pension - should you put this into the company pension or open a new one. Here's a suggestion.
  • Reforms to solve pensions crisis
    Rob Griffin
    20.02.07
    Government plans for workplace pensions for everyone are questioned as some critics claim people could be worse off financially, and Personal Accounts could end up becoming a financial scandal of the future.
  • Retirement age hopes unrealistic
    31.01.07
    A survey of employees published on 30 January showed they expect to quit the workforce at around the age of 63, a goal which is unlikely to be realistic because of a lack of savings.
  • Review your with-profits policy
    Jeff Salway
    25.01.07
    As with-profits life policy bonuses go public, dig out your statements and find out how well your policy is performing, says Jeff Salway.
  • The countdown to retirement
    Nina Montagu-Smith
    07.12.06
    Retirement date looming? There's still time to improve your financial prospects. Nina Montagu-Smith outlines what you need to do to look forward to the time of your life.
  • Reassurance over pensions reform
    23.11.06
    The Government moved to ease concerns in the savings industry that a planned overhaul of pensions, including a low-cost national savings scheme, could erode existing provision.
  • The pros and cons of equity release
    16.11.06
    Equity release is soaring, as people access money tied up in their homes to fund retirement. Jon King and Rebecca Fearnley present two opinions.
  • Don't just get a pension: get a life plan
    Sam Barrett
    09.11.06
    Retirement planning isn't just about funding the period when you stop working; it can be a chance to realise your ambitions - so whatever your age, start planning now, says Sam Barrett.
  • Goodbye to ASPs
    Rob Griffin
    08.11.06
    Many people were delighted by new rules introducing an alternative to annuities, but the Government fears it has created an IHT loophole, explains Rob Griffin.
  • Invest to boost your retirement income
    Rob Griffin
    05.10.06
    Income-generating investments can make all the difference to how much you will have to live off when you retire. Rob Griffin takes a look at your options.
  • Invest in a pension for your child
    Sam Barrett
    28.09.06
    A growing number of people are looking ahead and investing in a pension for their child, explains Sam Barrett. It's well worth thinking about now.
  • Pensions' move to private equity is mad
    21.09.06
    The trend by pension funds to sell cheaply valued UK stocks in order to invest in private equity is "absolute madness", the head of UK equities at fund firm Schroders said on Wednesday.
  • The best pension products and providers
    Jeff Salway
    31.08.06
    The pension climate is changing and we all need to plan ahead, so it's worth running an eye over the top providers and products that are rising to the challenge.
  • No future for lifestyle funds?
    Ceri Jones
    08.08.06
    Lifestyle funds automatically switch out of volatile assets like equities as you get older. It seems like a good idea but makes little sense when so few of us know when we will retire.
  • Britons hope houses may fund old age income
    21.07.06
    A survey of Britons showed a third of them expect to use their homes to help provide an old-age income, but many people may fall short as house sales may not give them enough money, consultants said on Thursday.
  • Can you have too many pensions?
    Matt Pitcher
    22.06.06
    Many of us have multiple pension schemes on the go, but does this mean we should call a halt and refuse a new company scheme if it's on offer? We outline the pros and cons.
  • Brown is set to restore pensions link to earnings
    Rob Griffin
    15.06.06
    The Chancellor's forthcoming announcement that he will respond positively to this central plank of the Turner report on pensions will be warmly welcomed - as long as it is applied fairly.
  • Pensions deal? Or no deal?
    Martin Campbell
    17.05.06
    We're no closer to fixing pensions than two weeks ago, says Martin Campbell.
  • Is your final salary pension scheme in danger?
    Sarah Pennells
    09.05.06
    Not so long ago those on a final salary pension scheme were considered to be comparatively lucky.  How, however, the safety of such schemes is in question - and the government doesn't seem to want to know
  • State sponsored pensions misselling
    Ceri Jones
    21.03.06
    The government should compensate members of failed occupational pension schemes, says Ceri Jones. After all, it recommended them.
  • Hands off our pensions
    Martin Campbell
    14.03.06
    We cannot trust the government to run our pensions, says Martin Campbell. The pension credits fiasco proves it.
  • Nanny state and the pension plan
    Rob Griffin
    20.01.06
    Last year's pensions review fuelled the debate over compulsory savings. Should we be forced into doing what's good for us?
  • The truth about pensions maths
    Peter Temple
    02.01.06
    Pensions planning is brutal. Start at 20 and you'll need to save around £600pm to get £35,000pa. Leave it until 40 and it's around £1,100pm. But unless you're a civil servant, the alternatives aren't great.
  • State pension: Get it while you can
    30.12.05
    Who knows how long it will last. The rules for claiming are now so complicated, that even Baroness Hollis, a former DSS Minister can't explain how it works to her friends, says Ceri Jones
  • Gordon forgets to say sorry
    Martin Campbell
    13.12.05
    Again. Despite the Turner Commission and a SIPPs u-turn don't expect an apology, says Martin Campbell
  • Tough time ahead for Gordon Brown
    Rachel Lacey
    01.12.05
    With the long-awaited publication of Adair Turner's recommendations for the reform of the UK pensions system, come some tough questions for the government.
  • Pass the pension
    Peter Temple
    01.11.05
    Our pension funds should not be put up for sale to the highest bidder…
  • Have you contracted out of SERPs?
    Rachel Lacey
    12.10.05
    A new report from Which? has raised the spectre of another pensions mis-selling scandal. Contracted-out schemes may lose pensioners £4 a week.
  • DIY pension
    Faith Glasgow
    21.09.05
    Originally designed for the wealthy, second generation SIPPs could offer pension control at a manageable cost.
  • Workplace pensions
    Faith Glasgow
    30.08.05
    As an employee you could get pension money from your employer on top of your state pension.
  • Is your pension provider a winner?
    26.08.05
    The low down on the best performing pension providers with awards for the best annuity, personal, SIPP and stakeholder pensions, and the best performing funds held within a pension. How does yours compare?
  • Additional state pension
    Faith Glasgow
    24.08.05
    If you're entitled to a second state
    pension, does it make sense to stay in or to contact out?