'We risk destroying the public's faith in pensions'

Nearly two thirds of financial advisers fear that the pension reforms will be axed if the Government changes at the General Election, research suggests. Some 64% of the 300 who were polled expect the new rules face the chop and would fail to last more than a year after May General if the Coalition parties are voted out.The poll was carried out by investment platform provider AJ Bell.Andy Bell, chief executive of AJ Bell, said: "Whilst we welcome the additional flexibility available to savers, our poll showed that many advisers are as concerned as us that the new rules could be reversed sooner rather than later if we see a non-conservative Government come into power."It is of major concern that a non-Conservative Government will decide that the changes have gone too far, too soon and will scrap or seriously water down the changes. If this happens we risk destroying the public's faith in pensions."The political uncertainty could create a 'buy-now-while-stocks-last' mentality with savers feeling they have to act quickly before the rules are changed. This could result in many people cashing their pensions irrespective of whether they have a genuine need for the money, political pressure and a fear of change has a history of driving knee jerk reactions when it comes to savings." {desktop}{/desktop}{mobile}{/mobile} Mike Morrison, head of platform technical at AJ Bell, said: "As we get closer to April 2015 there are a number of areas that I am constantly being questioned on, and for which we need some further information. First is the political risk of a change of Government in May 2015."Will the pension rules be subject to any backtracking, most particularly the change to the so called 'death tax'? Retirement decisions are by definition long-term and require a degree of certainty."Any suggestion that the rules might change again could entice even more people to encash their pensions in the same way that rumours about the possible demise of the tax-free lump sum often result in more encashment."Some 60% also told AJ Bell's survey they felt the new pension flexibility rules have gone too far too soon.

'We risk destroying the public's faith in pensions'

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