Pragmatic Steps Into The Unknown

I welcome the common sense approach adopted by the Treasury in not, after all, trying to fine individuals who take a pension pot and fail to advise earlier pension providers they also have benefits with.

The revised guidance extends the deadline from 31 days to 91 days and that states that only active providers need be contacted. This gets around the problem that individuals may well have pensions with providers that they have simply forgotten about. I know that shouldn’t happen, but not everyone loves pensions as much as me – and you, presumably, as you are reading this.

Common sense has prevailed.

The major problem remains however.  I’m not sure anyone, including the government who introduced the changes, knows exactly what is going to happen when the full freedoms on pensions come into force. Will there be reckless decisions to cash in pensions? Will advice be adequate? How will the government react to those who take, spend and then come back, begging cap in hand?

One thing is for sure. To change the analogy, the genie is out of the bottle and no future government will be able to put him back.

A pragmatic step by the government with regard to individual fines. But nevertheless, it’s pragmatic steps into the unknown.

Pensions Longevity of a Different Kind

A big WELL DONE to Stephanie Hawthorne of Pensions World on achieving twenty-five years longevity as editor. In a pension’s world where longevity is regularly in the headlines, it’s great to see a living example in the Pensions World.

Our world is often one of short termism, so great to see a journalist showing a different example. And winning the special “Award for Outstanding Contribution to Institutional Journalism” from State Street along the way. Here’s to the next twenty-five.

Giving it the Bird

Congratulations Pension Expert. You valiantly resisted birdie jokes alongside the article on the RSPBs underpinning of their pension scheme. Only three were in evidence: The RSPB ‘hatching a plan’ 'broader flightpath' and 'migrating assets'.

However, I have no such qualms. It seems to me the RSPB have avoided nesteggs, shunned feathering their nest, seen the wood from the trees in their flightpath and adopted an early worm approach with regard to the recovery period.

Their approach could act as a beak-on for other plans. I noticed Tom Dines was the author of the article. Trust he's eating chicken tonight. Okay, not the best bird jokes, I know. Guess I may not tweet this one. :-)