Five years after the introduction of pension freedoms, the Association of British Insurers is warning that many middle-aged savers may not be doing what's best with their pension pots.

According to the Office for National Statistics, 11 per cent of private sector workers who have a pension are in a generous final salary scheme. This compares to 92 per cent in the public sector.

Barry O'Dwyer, chief exec of insurer Royal London, said the catastrophic rout caused by the coronavirus could mean some people nearing retirement age no longer have enough money left to live off.

Any saver expressing interest in ditching a final salary pension is to be warned off in a letter telling them it's unlikely to be in their best interests.

The FTSE 100 index rose 156.75 points to 6115.25, closing above the 6000 mark for the first time since early March, despite data showing the US economy shrank 4.8 per cent in the first quarter.

Last year Shell was the most generous dividend payer in the UK, handing pension funds and investors £11.6bn.That amounted to 15.5 per cent of all payments made by FTSE 100 firms.

The tax-free allowance for pensions will be cut from £1.5million to £1.25million over a lifetime and from £50,000 to £40,000 annually - raising an extra £1billion.

A 'triple lock' commitment was made in 2010, when the state pension rises were controversially switched from the retail prices index (RPI) to CPI, which has historically risen at a slower pace.

George Osborne yesterday announced he was cutting the tax-free amount an individual can put into their pension each year from £50,000 to £40,000.

The changes will come into force in 2014/15 and are expected to bring thousands more well-off savers into tax on their pension contributions, generating an extra £1 billion in tax by 2016/17.

1970s series The Professionals is still great TV - and reminds Sally Hamilton of her youth, when she failed to save. Like her, the nation is facing a huge challenge over pension provisions.

With the smell of a spring Budget in the air comes the rumour of yet more restrictions on the tax relief available to boost our pension saving. But how will Mr Sunak treat pension savers?

McCarthy, Michael A., 1979- author

Marketline

Online Resource

Cambridge, Mass. : National Bureau of Economic Research, 2019

Dewey Library - HJ141.P46 2019

Make your job easier, stay informed and increase efficiency!

Penfacts is a one-stop guide to pensions in Canada. It provides information on pension plans that is of significant benefit to plan sponsors, administrators, students, and other pension stakeholders. Penfacts also provides easy to understand information about pension plan investing as well as brief and easy to read details about the role of actuaries in the field of pensions.

Includes focus on:

• Pension Plans
• Legislation
• Investment Management
• Other Retirement Programs
• Pension Administration
• Interpreting an Actuarial Report

Penfacts is written in conjunction with the Association of Canadian Pension Management (ACPM), and edited by Neil Cohen, B.Sc., B.A., LL.B., a research lawyer who concentrates his work in the area of pensions and benefits. A graduate of the University of Western Ontario’s Law School and a member of the Bar of the Law Society of Upper Canada, Neil is a member of various pensions and benefits organizations.

If you would like more details about this product, or would like to order a copy online, please click here.

Canadian Pensions and Retirement Income Planning covers all types of retirement income plans including defined benefit, defined contribution, RRSPs, and deferred profit sharing plans. It is ideal for pension plan sponsors, administrators, accountants, tax advisers, human resource professionals, actuaries, and pension consultants, as well as students and others interested in better understanding Canada’s tax rules for retirement income programs.

What's new in this edition?

This edition provides a comprehensive look at Canada’s tax rules for retirement income programs including:

• detailed analysis of all registration rules for registered pension plans and deferred profit sharing plans
• the rules for determining the calculation of pension adjustments, past service pension adjustments, and pension adjustment reversals
• new and updated numerical examples for PAs, PSPAs, and PAR calculations
• expanded and updated information on Registered Plan Directorate policies based on the most recent interpretation and changes
• tax rules around phased retirement programs
• updated information on defined contribution programs, rules and employer strategies
• updated background material on minimum pension standards, actuarial valuations, and accounting standards to provide context to the tax rules
• glossary of updated forms and filing requirements
• charts of relevant and commonly used reference data including CPP/QPP/YMPE, average wage, CPI, interest rates and relevant Income Tax Act (Canada) limits
• cross-referencing of tax rules to relevant sections of Income Tax Act (Canada)

Author: 

Towers Watson, a leading global professional services company that helps organizations improve performance through effective people, risk, and financial management. With 14,000 associates around the world, Towers Watson offers solutions in the areas of employee benefits, talent management, rewards, and risk and capital management.

If you would like more details about this product, or would like to order a copy online, please click here.

Summary of this eBook

In periods of fluctuating economies and rapidly changing workforces, Pensions and Benefits take on an added importance. In the section on Pensions you will have access to an extensive review of pension legislation and requirements, funding guidelines, and taxation as well as other critical information necessary to help you manage your portfolio through these challenging times. The section on Benefits will guide you through the multitude of choices available, including flex plans and non-traditional benefits, and discuss how each can be used to provide additional value or cost control. In Payroll Processing, you will find an effective, easy-to-navigate reference guide for all your payroll needs.

This eBook has three sections:

• Pensions
• Benefits
• Payroll Processing

About the Authors

Neil Cohen obtained his LL.B. from the University of Western Ontario and was called to the Bar in 1996. He has extensive experience as a research lawyer and writer in the human resources field. He previously worked as a research lawyer with a major consulting firm, and as the Senior Editor of the CCH publication the Canadian Employment Benefits and Pension Guide. Neil is the current editor of the CCH publication PENFACTS: A Guide to Pensions in Canada.

Theo Anne Opie, LL.B. received her LL.B. from the University of Windsor and is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada. She specializes in the areas of Payroll, Human Resources, and Employment Standards law. She has written for such CCH products as the Canadian Labour Law Reporter, Labour Notes, PaySource, and Tax Topics.