Latest Columns
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Lisa Webster: Take the pension first? Think again
With the impending changes to tax treatment of pensions on death, there has been talk around the order of income in retirement being turned on its head.
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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.
Popular News
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EQRS appoints Accenture's Pritchett as CEO
Pension administration services company EQ Retirement Solutions has appointed Will Pritchett as chief executive officer to replace Duncan Watson, who will join the EQRS Board.
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Defaqto reveals most recommended pensions and SIPPs
Royal London, Aviva and Quilter were the most recommended personal pensions in the first half of 2026, based on recommendations flowing through Defaqto Engage.
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SIPPs and Financial Planning adviser in default
Norwich Financial Planning firm Signpost Financial Planning Ltd (FRN: 575237) - which provided investment and SIPPs advice - has been declared in default by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
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SIPPs to play major role in private markets expansion
UK private market fund managers believe SIPPs will play a major role in expanding sophisticated and high-net-worth investor participation in private markets over the next five years, according to new research.
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.
FCA CEO Nikhil Rathi has defended the pay packages of staff - some of whom went on strike this week - as “possibly the best package” among UK regulators.