Recent news of the revival of a Pensions Commission was music to my ears.

There have been some fluctuations in recent years but overall divorce rates in the UK have been in decline since the 1990s.

As you might know from my previous columns on SIPPs Professional, I am, and have been for some time, a huge advocate for Small Self-Administered Schemes (SSAS).

Ever since “tax-free cash” changed its official name to “pension commencement lump sum” back in 2006 there have been pre-Budget rumours that it was going to change – and not for the better.

Pensions and SIPP consultancy Barnett Waddingham has appointed Embark Group’s Andrew Phipps as head of SIPP proposition and supplier management.

Back in July, HMRC announced a proposed change in responsibility for paying inheritance tax (IHT) relating to pensions when they are included in estates from 6 April 2027.

The Society of Pension Professionals (SPP) has warned of the “unintended consequences” of changing the law relating to pre-1997 pension scheme indexation.

DB pension surpluses remain at record highs, up £57bn year-on-year in October, according to new analysis from XPS Group.

Proposed pension reforms included in next week’s Budget will create chaos and put bereaved families and ordinary people at financial risk, according to STEP, the global professional body for trust and estate practitioners.

HMRC has agreed to exempt pension administration professionals from new requirements requiring ‘tax advisers’ who interact with HMRC on behalf of clients to register with HMRC and meet new minimum standards from 1 April 2026.