The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) is now open to claims against Berkeley Burke SIPP Administration Limited (BBSAL).

AJ Bell has launched a retirement income solution to help financial advisers manage clients taking income in retirement. 

As everyone makes their way back to work following a glorious, if politically fuelled summer, it feels that the push has started towards the end of the year.

SIPP provider Curtis Banks Group has revealed increased profits and assets in its interim results for the six months to 30 June.

The firm increased pre-tax profits by 14% from £4.8m in 2018 to £5.4m.

Meanwhile assets under administration rose by 9.6% from £25.1bn to £27.5bn.

Other highlights included:

Operating Revenue increased by 6.7% to £24.5m (2018: £23.0m)

Interim dividend of 2.5p per share (2018: 2.0p)
 
Will Self, chief executive of Curtis Banks, said: “This is a solid set of results for the first six months of 2019 with the period under review showing an increase in our key financial metrics.

“Once again, the Group has continued to grow profitably and maintains a high proportion of quality recurring earnings which demonstrates the resilience of our business against some current headwinds in the SIPP industry and wider marketplace.

“Through initiatives to stimulate both organic and inorganic growth, as well as successfully diversifying revenues by broadening our capability to commercial property clients, we have navigated the first half of 2019 extremely well.

“I am confident and excited about our prospects for further growth.”

SIPPs and SSAS firm Talbot and Muir has warned that a number of SSAS arrangements face “significant costs and delays” on transfers to a more suitable vehicle, such as a SIPP.

SSAS arrangements continue to be popular with advisers and their clients but at times it becomes necessary to transfer to a SIPP, the firm says. 

This may be due to the sale of the sponsoring employer or other personal reasons. 

Talbot and Muir says many who decide to transfer their SSAS benefits but wish to retain certain assets such as property are faced with unjustified charges and administrative delays.

While SSAS’s are not regulated by the FCA the firm said it “seems unfair” clients are not protected by the FCA’s fair treatment of clients Outcome 6, whereby consumers do not face unreasonable post-sale barriers imposed by firms to change product or provider.
 
David Bonneywell, director, Talbot and Muir, said: “We are seeing a marked increase in the enquiries received from IFA’s in respect of SSAS schemes that wish to move to a SIPP. 

“One reason for the contact is that these schemes are facing very high costs to transfer and they are looking to see if there are ways to minimise this. 

“Current administrators appear to be unhelpful with regards to the transfer and are putting restrictive internal red tape in place, in particular when a property is involved. 
 
“A number of advisers are now recommending that the SSAS changes administrator and professional trustee, and then effects a transfer to a SIPP in a cost efficient and timely manner.”

Royal London has warned against a “drastic” proposal to raise the State Pension age to 75.

The Centre for Social Justice, a think tank chaired by former Work and Pensions Secretary and ex-Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, recently published a report which recommended the change.

The rationale for upping the pension age to 75 by 2035 was cited as “removing barriers” for older employees and “health and wellbeing concerns”.

The report’s conclusion read: “ Removing barriers for older people to remain in work has the potential to contribute greatly to the health of individuals and the affordability of public services.

“Therefore, this paper argues for significant improvements in the support for older workers.

“This includes improved healthcare support, increased access to flexible working, better opportunities for training, an employer-led Mid-Life MOT and the implementation of an ‘Age Confident’ scheme.

“As we prepare for the future, we must prioritise increasing the opportunity to work for this demographic to reduce involuntary worklessness.

“For the vulnerable and marginalised, a job offers the first step away from state dependence, social marginalisation and personal destitution.”

In addition, provided that this support is in place, we propose an increase in the State Pension Age to 75 by 2035.

“While this might seem contrary to a long-standing compassionate attitude to an older generation that have paid their way in the world and deserve to be looked after, we do not believe it should be.

“Working longer has the potential to improve health and wellbeing, increase retirement savings and ensure the full functioning of public services for all. 

But Royal London’s Helen Morrissey cautioned against the approach.

The pension specialist said: “While such proposals will undoubtedly save money, raising state pension age so quickly will cause huge issues for many retirees who will not have been given adequate time to prepare.

“We need to give careful thought to what kind of jobs people in their 70s are able to do and while some people will be able to work on for longer others simply won’t be able to.

“These people will face severe financial hardship if they have not saved enough into a pension to cover the years between leaving work and claiming state pension.”

She added: “The Government needs to think carefully before taking such drastic action.”

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme has opened the door to claims against a SIPP firm which was dissolved more than 10 years ago.

The FSCS says it is now accepting claims again North Star SIPP LLP which was dissolved on 9 June 2009. 

In January 2018, the FSCS declared three SIPP operators, Brooklands Trustees Ltd, Stadia Trustees Ltd and Montpelier Pension Administration Services Ltd in default. Since then FSCS has received a number of claims against these and other SIPP operators, it says.

The compensation body says it is aware that SIPP operator due diligence has been an industry ‘hot topic’ in recent years and FSCS is aware that there are a number of pending civil claims in the High Court against various SIPP operators in respect of alleged due diligence failings.

The FSCS anticipates that claims submitted against North Star will relate to the SIPP operator's due diligence obligations in allowing customers to make specific investments under their pensions.

In a statement the FSCS said: “We're aware that North Star customers may have been advised by independent financial advisers to transfer existing pensions into a North Star SIPP. Following the pension transfer, customers had their pension funds placed in high risk, non-standard investments, many of which have become illiquid.”

The FSCS says it has has already assessed and paid a number of claims made against IFAs already declared in default by the FSCS in relation to advice customers received to transfer their pension into a North Star SIPP.