Webb pledges to implement 2012 review recommendations in full

The pensions minister told delegates this would include changes to self-certification rules, at a Society of Pension Consultants’ conference in London’s Waldorf Astoria hotel today (October 21 2010).

He also claimed the government is moving as fast as it is “comfortable” with on raising the state pension age.

The final findings of the panel instructed to recommend changes to the last government’s proposals to compel firms to automatically enroll staff into workplace schemes from 2012, and establish a nationwide government established scheme, will be announced next Wednesday.

And they will include plans to ease the burden on firms with existing defined contribution arrangements, aimed at making it easier to demonstrate those plans suitable under DWP rules.

Webb said: “One of the things that we asked the review to do was come up with models of certification, which they have done and they will announce the detail next week.”

On plans, announced in yesterday’s Spending Review, to raise the state pension age to 66 by 2018, he added differences in regional life expectancies and career lengths in different industries, have slowed the government’s hand.

“It’s about distributions,” he added. “In some parts of the country people still don’t get to 65, let alone 66 or 67. And it’s also about the labour market.”

Webb finished, in answer to an audience question, by stating he was open to suggestions on ways the government could help preserve private sector pension provision, but added, beyond the PPF levy reduction there is “not much we can do”.