Latest articles from Amy Austin

Trustees on the hook for advice under new FCA guidance

On the go: Trustees have been warned that providing personalised illustrations to demonstrate the outcomes of a defined benefit pension transfer will be viewed as regulated advice under new guidance from the Financial Conduct Authority.

Pensions freedom age to increase from 55 to 57

On the go: The government has confirmed it will increase the age at which people can access their pension from 55 to 57 in 2028.

DB transfer values rocket to £500k

On the go: The number of defined benefit transfer requests has dropped in the past quarter, but the average value still rocketed to above £500,000.

One in 20 workers missing out on pension contributions

On the go: One in 20 employees are being short-changed by their employer and are not receiving the pension they are due, research has found.

Govt to force schemes to publish climate risk disclosures

On the go: The largest pension schemes will be legally required to assess and report on climate change risks within their investment portfolios under new government rules.

Call for govt to abolish flat fees in workplace pensions

On the go: LCP is calling for an end to flat monthly fees being charged on defined contribution pots, arguing they can be “detrimental” to low-paid and part-time workers, although the government has previously stated it is not considering a ban.

Ombudsman finds ‘maladministration’ in BSPS transfer

On the go: The trustees of the old British Steel Pension Scheme have been ordered to pay out to a steelworker, after “maladministration” meant he received a pension transfer lower than he could have done.

Govt unable to assess level of opt-outs during Covid

On the go: The government has claimed it is unable to determine whether opt-outs from auto-enrolled pensions have increased since the Covid-19 pandemic, the minister for pensions and financial inclusion has said.

PLSA framework to help savers navigate ‘confusing’ freedoms

On the go: The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association has proposed a new regulatory regime that will require schemes to support savers when making decisions about how to access their pensions.

Nest unveils net-zero investment strategy

On the go: Master trust Nest has introduced a climate change policy with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality across its investment portfolio.