August 2024

UK. Reeves could raise £10bn a year by reducing pension tax relief, report says

Rachel Reeves could raise at least £10bn a year through a radical shake-up of pensions that would make tax relief less generous to better-off earners, a leading left-of-centre thinktank has said. The report by the Fabian Society says tax breaks for pensions have become markedly more expensive for the government and its proposed changes would fill half the £22bn shortfall the chancellor has identified in the public finances. Reeves has dropped strong hints that she is planning a tough, tax-raising budget on...

UK has record 991,000 self-employed workers aged 60 or over

The number of people aged 60 and older who are self-employed has reached a record of almost 1 million, research suggests. This represents an increase of more than a third (33%) in the past decade, to reach 991,432 self-employed people aged 60 or over in 2023, according to analysis by Rest Less, which offers advice to older people. The analysis found that while the number of self-employed workers in their 50s and older has grown since 2021, it is those in...

I’m 65 and have no pension – I’m stuck travelling the world forever

I’m officially homeless. For the first time in my life. At the age of 65. On 20 May, after putting all my worldly goods into storage, that’s what I became. By choice. Sort of. After owning property for over 30 years, both in the UK and Spain, I can no longer afford to live in the UK. I hold my hands up and admit I am responsible for the greater part of my debt. I’ve never been great with money. I...

DWP announces £780 payment increase for UK households to help with cost of living

UK households are set to receive a financial boost this year to help with the cost of living. With inflation slightly rising back to 2.2 per cent, additional financial support will be beneficial in managing the ongoing income squeeze, especially following the recent cut in interest rates to 5 per cent at the start of August. This extra support for households is due to changes implemented by the Department for Work and Pensions. It has applied a 6.7 per cent...

UK. Almost four in 10 pensioners have retirement regrets

Almost four in 10 (39 per cent) pensioners have retirement regrets, research from Hargreaves Lansdown has found. The research revealed that the top regret for retired people was failing to put together a plan early enough (15 per cent). In addition to this, one in 10 said they regretted not boosting contributions early enough, while 1 per cent said they wished they had taken financial advice. The research also revealed that 3 per cent of pensioners said they wish they had kept...

UK. Pension organisations call on Treasury to expedite regulation of investment consultants

ShareAction has written to the Treasury urging it to expedite plans to regulate all activities of investment consultants. The charity was joined in its call by several pension organisations, including the Association of Member-Nominated Trustees, Pensions for Purpose, and Make My Money Matter. ShareAction noted that, at various times over the past 10 years, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), and parliamentary committees have called for investment consultants to be brought within the FCA’s regulatory framework. It urged...

UK. Pension review to start with consolidation of DC market

The first phase of the government’s pensions review will include driving scale and consolidation of defined contribution workplace schemes. Announced on Friday (August 16), the initial phase also aims to tackle fragmentation and inefficiency in the local government pension scheme through consolidation and governance. Experts have urged the government to keep the interests of savers at the forefront. In addition, it will look at the structure of the pensions ecosystem and achieving a greater focus on value to deliver better outcomes for...

UK. Government reportedly considering raising minimum pension contribution for employers – is it a good idea?

Experts say the change could be a ‘major boost’ to employees’ financial security but to minimise the impact on businesses, increases should happen gradually Chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering increasing the minimum level for employer pension contributions, according to a report by The Telegraph. The government has had discussions with pension providers and asset managers about how aspects of Australia’s pension system could be replicated in the UK, including employer contributions, the newspaper reported. Employers in Australia must currently contribute 11.5 per...

UK’s Just Group beats first-half profit estimate as demand for pension insurance soars

Just Group (JUSTJ.L), opens new tab's first-half profit beat estimates on Tuesday, and the British insurer now expects full-year earnings to surpass its previous expectations on demand for pension insurance, sending shares up as much as 18% in early trading. The stock hit its highest since June 2018 on Tuesday at 139 pence after the London-listed company said it expects to "substantially" exceed its 2024 operating profit forecast in March - of over 420 million pounds - twice its profit in...

Largest UK pension fund sells off Israeli assets amid member anger over Gaza

The UK's largest pension fund has sold off £80m ($101m) in assets linked to Israel amid internal pressure from members, the Financial Times has reported. The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) manages investments totalling £79bn in total and has more than 500,000 members who work for universities and higher education institutions in the UK. Pressure has grown on the fund to withdraw its Israeli investments in light of the ongoing war on Gaza and Israel's longstanding occupation of Palestinian land. At least, 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's ongoing military...