Latest Columns
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Lisa Webster: A calmer Budget? We hope so...
As we head towards our new Downing Street leadership team’s first Budget, the waters seem relatively calm.
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Lisa Webster: Take the pension first? Think again
With the impending changes to tax treatment of pensions on death, there has been talk around the order of income in retirement being turned on its head.
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Tilley: Transfer reform welcome but SSAS governance is key
At first glance, DWP’s June 2026 consultation on proposed changes to the 2021 transfer regulations does something the industry has long asked for; it acknowledges that the current regime, while well intended, has created too much friction for some perfectly legitimate pension transfers.
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Lisa Webster: Good news from DWP for SIPPs but not SSAS
The DWP has just released its long-awaited consultation on the SIPP transfer regulations – and it’s largely encouraging news. As an employee of a reputable SIPP provider the changes are positive. SSAS providers may be less enthusiastic about some of the proposals.
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Lisa Webster: Should tax-free cash always be taken?
Since the Lifetime Allowance was abolished and replaced with the Lump Sum Allowance (LSA) and lump sum and death benefit allowance (LSDBA), we have seen an increase in SIPP members who want to take drawdown only – foregoing the right to take the associated pension commencement lump sum (PCLS).
Popular News
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3m UK pension pots worth £18.7bn remain lost
More than 3m UK pension pots remain lost worth a total £18.7bn, according to a Pensions Policy Institute study.
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Most workers have no retirement plan – survey
Fewer than one in five (18%) employees with a workplace pension have a clear retirement plan, despite more than half (51%) having already given a lot of thought to their financial needs in later life.
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FCA steps in as SIPP and ISA manager fails
ISA and SIPP manager manager Jarvis Investment Management Limited has entered special administration this week as the firm closes its doors.
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FSCS launches probe into SIPP advice IFA firm
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme has launched probes into two failed investment firms this week - IFA firm Verus Financial Services Ltd and investment provider Aspiro Research and Development LLP.
Seven Investment Management (7IM) has become a pension provider this week by launching its own Self Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) with no annual fee on accounts above £75,000.
The firm reported “strong growth” for the six months ended 31 March, which, as well as increasing profits to record levels, included a 12% rise in customer numbers from 164,557 to 183,482 and a 5% increase in assets under management from £39.8bn to £41.8bn .
Elsewhere in the report highlights included:
· New business growth with net platform inflows of £3.5bn, up 17% (H1 2017: £3.0bn)
· Customer retention of 95%
· Revenue increased 16% to £42.9m (H1 2017: £37.0m)
· An interim dividend payment of 14p per share, a 10% increase compared to the interim dividend last year (H1 2017: 12.75p)
In the period the company launched two new income-focused multi-asset portfolios within its Managed Portfolio Service (MPS) for financial advisers, as well as a new Lifetime ISA.
Preparations for a listing on the London Stock Exchange “later in 2018 or early 2019” were said to be “progressing well.”
Andy Bell, chief executive of AJ Bell, said: “These are the most profitable interim results in our history and are a great endorsement of our strategy and market position.
“The UK retail investment and savings market continues to display strong growth and investment platforms are central to this.”
“We are well placed to continue our growth trajectory and are progressing well with our plans for a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange later this year or early 2019.”