Latest Blogs
Popular News
-
Hargreaves Lansdown hits landmark 2m clients
Investment platform and SIPP provider Hargreaves Lansdown has notched up its milestone 2 millionth client and has also seen record assets under management, according to its 2025 Annual Report.
-
Failed SIPP firm clients updated ahead of legal judgment
Clients of failed SIPP provider Hartley Pensions Limited - who have had funds ring-fenced - have been given an update from joint administrators UHY Hacker Young ahead of a legal judgment expected in late October.
-
JPMorgan to replace Nutmeg with new investment platform
JPMorgan is to launch a retail wealth management and investment business with its own DIY investment platform next month.
-
5 year gap between dream retirement age and expectation
While people dream about retiring at 62 they do not expect to be able to retire until they hit 67, according to new research.
-
Sales of escalating annuities surge
Sales of escalating Guaranteed Income for Life annuities that have some inflation protection, accounted for a fifth of all sales in 2024/25 and have increased by 17% year-on-year.
Sipp firm voices concern about Budget pension advice plan
Chancellor George Osborne announced his radical pension reforms last month – which included access to advice for some people at or near retirement.
But questions have been raised as to what this actually means in practice. The proposal came under scrutiny at the Treasury Committee this week, where MPs said there needs to be much more clarity on the issue.
The need for guidance and advice over a longer period of time – rather than just a one off session for a retired person – was also a cause of concern raised at the committee.
Pointon York's business development manager Dale Wadsworth told Sipps Professional his firm has similar worries.
He said: "Whilst we welcome the proposed introduction of free and impartial guidance for all members, how will this work in practice with large numbers of clients being offered advice in locations throughout the UK and abroad?
"Some clients may need advice on an ongoing basis not just at retirement to ensure that that they continue to be able to meet their goals."
{desktop}{/desktop}{mobile}{/mobile}
The Government has insisted its changes to pensions, particularly on annuities, are centred on greater choice and freedom.
Mr Wadsworth said: "Increasing flexibility on pension schemes could lead to clients deciding to go into inappropriate products without much protection.
"For instance is it appropriate for clients who have low income and small pension funds to go into drawdown to release the pension over a number of years?
"In these circumstances the discipline and guarantee offered by an annuity could still be the more appropriate solution."
However, Pointon York broadly welcomed the reforms "as very positive for the pensions sector".
Mr Wadsworth said: "Recognition of the real advantages of drawdown rather than near automatic lifetime annuity purchase is seen to be of great benefit to large parts of the retiring population.
"Up to now, these people may have been disadvantaged by simply buying an annuity from their existing provider rather than considering the multitude of alternative options available."