Latest articles from Amy Austin

TPR clarifies treatment of salary sacrifice under furlough

On the go: The Pensions Regulator has issued guidance to large employers stating they must continue to pay furloughed workers’ pension contributions as normal where they have entered into a salary sacrifice arrangement.

Govt extends RPI consultation to summer

On the go: Chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak has extended until August the consultation on how the retail price index should be reformed, to give businesses more time to respond.

Think tank calls for pensions triple lock to be scrapped

On the go: The pensions triple lock should be scrapped following the coronavirus crisis so that all generations pay their fair share to meet the costs of the pandemic, according to a think tank.

TPR allows employers to cut contributions without consultation

On the go: The Pensions Regulator has warned employers against encouraging savers to opt out of auto-enrolment, as it relaxed its rules to allow them to cut some contributions without consultation.  

Jonathan Reynolds named shadow pensions secretary

On the go: Former shadow economic secretary Jonathan Reynolds has been named as the shadow secretary for work and pensions by new Labour leader Keir Starmer.

Inflation change could shave 20% off pension incomes

On the go: Government plans to change the way the retail price index is calculated could see savers’ lifetime pension income drop by almost 20 per cent as defined benefit schemes are hit.

Regulators warn over Covid-19 pension scams

On the go: Regulators have issued a warning that rising levels of vulnerability caused by the Covid-19 lockdown could see more savers targeted by scammers, as concerns about finances increase.

Questions remain about AE contributions in govt scheme

On the go: Government's announcement that it will cover employer auto-enrolment pension contributions for furloughed workers still leaves many questions unanswered, such as how it will operate for defined benefit schemes, an expert warned.

TPR relaxes AE enforcement action in response to Covid-19

On the go: The Pensions Regulator is giving employers more time to pay contributions without triggering any enforcement action, in a move to reduce the burden on businesses during the Covid-19 crisis.

Govt relaxes pension rules for returning NHS staff

On the go: The government has relaxed its pension rules in the coronavirus bill for National Health Service staff returning to work so they are not hit by reduced pension payments.