Latest Columns
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Tilley: Transfer reform welcome but SSAS governance is key
At first glance, DWP’s June 2026 consultation on proposed changes to the 2021 transfer regulations does something the industry has long asked for; it acknowledges that the current regime, while well intended, has created too much friction for some perfectly legitimate pension transfers.
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Lisa Webster: Good news from DWP for SIPPs but not SSAS
The DWP has just released its long-awaited consultation on the SIPP transfer regulations – and it’s largely encouraging news. As an employee of a reputable SIPP provider the changes are positive. SSAS providers may be less enthusiastic about some of the proposals.
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Lisa Webster: Should tax-free cash always be taken?
Since the Lifetime Allowance was abolished and replaced with the Lump Sum Allowance (LSA) and lump sum and death benefit allowance (LSDBA), we have seen an increase in SIPP members who want to take drawdown only – foregoing the right to take the associated pension commencement lump sum (PCLS).
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Tilley: Are we asking too much of pension savers?
Working in UK pensions, I’ve always accepted that the system evolves. Fiscal pressures change, demographics shift, and governments recalibrate policy objectives. But even allowing for that, the pace and volume of legislative change in the pensions space over the last few years feels unprecedented, and in my view increasingly problematic.
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Lisa Webster: Beware IHT and pensions double taxation
One of the most disliked aspects of bringing pensions into the estate for inheritance tax (IHT) purposes from 6 April 2027 is the double taxation that will occur when the member dies on or after their 75th birthday.
Popular News
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FCA to crack down on poor due diligence in SIPPs
The FCA plans to crack down on inconsistent record-keeping in SIPPs by introducing new clear standards of due diligence.
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Pension conundrum for new PM
The next Prime Minister has been urged to address the long-term sustainability of the state pension triple lock.
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Workplace pensions suffer 'comprehension gap'
There’s a comprehension gap in workplace pension communication, with more than a third (37%) of UK employees claiming their workplace pension scheme was either not clearly explained to them or they had no memory of any explanation.
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Pensions Dashboards face further delay
The Pensions Dashboards Programme (PDP), the body launching pensions dashboards in the UK, has pushed back a key implementation deadline by five months from November to March 2027 after feedback from users.
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Tilley: Transfer reform welcome but SSAS governance is key
At first glance, DWP’s June 2026 consultation on proposed changes to the 2021 transfer regulations does something the industry has long asked for; it acknowledges that the current regime, while well intended, has created too much friction for some perfectly legitimate pension transfers.
Abrdn is to launch a Junior SIPP product as part of its new family wealth planning offering for financial advisers.
Ludlow Wealth Management, a subsidiary of wealth manager and SIPP provider Mattioli Woods, has acquired £80m AUM Glasgow Financial Planner Ferguson Financial Management in a deal worth up to £1.2m.
Nine in ten SIPP millionaires are men, as the gender pension gap continues to bite, according to new research.
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) has opened the doors to compensation on two Financial Planning firms it has declared in default.
The compensation body declared Juno Moneta Capital Management Ltd and Westbury Private Clients LLP in default yesterday.
The FSCS will now step in to assess and pay accepted claims for compensation and try to recover losses if possible.
Westbury Private Clients was authorised by the FCA as a wealth management firm. It operated as a discretionary fund manager for the Westbury SIPP.
The firm went into liquidation in March 2018.
The FSCS said it has received claims from customers highlighting concerns that Westbury Private Clients did not carry out enough due diligence in relation to transfers/investments into the Westbury SIPP. The claims questioned the suitability of Westbury SIPP as an investment vehicle, due to the high-risk nature of the investments which led to investors losing money.
The FSCS said it has received 16 claims against the firm so far, 10 of which are in relation to SIPPs.
The compensation body added that it is currently investigating whether the firm has breached FCA rules, and whether it can pay compensation to customers.
The body has received two pension transfer claims so far for Cheltenham-based Juno Moneta Capital Management Limited. It was formerly known as Corcillum Limited and traded as Morgan Peterson and BL Financial.
The Financial Conduct Authority has banned five directors of financial advice firms from working in financial services and fined them over £1m.
The Investment Association (IA) has launched a new technology tool to help investors find lost assets.