Since 2015, the Insolvency Service has applied to the courts to wind-up 24 companies that have carried out a form of pension misuse.

XPS Pensions Group, the influential pension consulting and administration firm, has voiced its support for the government’s proposal to introduce Collective Defined Contribution pension schemes.

In November, the DWP detailed its plans for the new type of occupational pension scheme which will be subject to a 0.75% charge cap with the aim of keeping costs down. Royal Mail is already looking at introducing a CDC.
The government gave the green light last year for CDCs and plans to legislate for them in due course although critics have already warned it could take years for CDCs to arrive and they may risk fluctuating income for members in retirement because of their structure.
 
XPS says in its submission to the government on the proposal to introduce CDCs that they could provide “better outcomes” for employees than traditional DC schemes.



However, it said they may take choice away from members and present additional risks so it is “critical they are well designed and managed.”

XPS Pensions Group says there are three key areas the DWP and Pensions Regulator will need to consider to ensure the development of a successful CDC framework. These include:
 
1.      Sustainability and resilience of CDC schemes for the future
2.      How to ensure fairness of outcomes between generations
3.      Member understanding and expectation

Consultation on CDCs ended last week.
 
Jacqui Woodward, senior consultant at XPS Pensions Group said: “In our view it will be possible to develop an appropriate disclosure framework that adequately communicates CDC benefits to members. 

“However, we would caution against underestimating the risks of CDC schemes in the rush to get them established.  It is worth taking time to make sure that the new types of scheme can offer a genuine and safe alternative to members and we look forward to providing our input to further consultations on the detailed design of CDC arrangements.”

Major stock market moves on one day could prompt nearly 60% of income drawdown investors to revamp their portfolios, with 21% moving their money into cash, according to a new study.

Selectapension has wound up its subsidiary arm that executed defined benefit advice.

SIPPs and SSAS firm Dentons Pension Management has made a series of new appointments.

Experts have hailed the onset of a ban on pensions cold calling which came into force today.

MPs on the Works and Pensions Committee have voted to investigate contingent charging on pension transfers but some in the industry are sceptical about the benefits of such a move.

The UK public expects the age at which they are entitled to receive the State Pension to increase to 70, a new survey has found.

A survey of 700 DIY investors has revealed a raft of concerns from pension tax relief to ISAs.

The State Pension is 110 years’ old this week but an increasingly ageing population could spell future uncertainty according to experts.