Pensions

Against the backdrop of a heated debate on the extent to which National Insurance (NI) funds state pensions, Edinburgh-based Aegon UK has highlighted two official UK government reports into the ‘National Insurance fund’. Steven Cameron, pensions director at Aegon, said: “While gove

In light of the significant rise in the expected level of income needed for retirement, Armstrong Watson Financial Planning's head of advice, Justin Rourke, highlights the impacting factors and discusses what one should consider to achieve their retirement objectives. The expected level of inco

As the UK marks Pensions Awareness Week from 11 to 15 September 2023, findings have revealed that pension savers are concerned about the impact of rising living costs on their retirement plans. It has been over a decade since the introduction of pensions auto-enrolment in the UK, yet the recent Grea

Border To Coast Pensions Partnership has engaged with Edinburgh-based investment giant abrdn for the development and management of its new UK real estate proposition, aiming to launch in late 2024. The partnership will target Border to Coast's 11 local government pension fund shareholders and invest

Over three-quarters (77%) of people in Scotland believe they do not have enough in their pension pots to retire comfortably, according to a survey conducted by RBC Brewin Dolphin. On average, Scots think they need £478,000 in their pension pot and an annual income of £33,000 for a comfor

Retirement plans are set to be heavily impacted by government proposals to push the state pension age to 68 earlier than planned. The state pension age was originally planned to increase to 67 by 2028 and then 68 by 2039, however, ministers have suggested an overhaul to the age at which pensioners r

Armstrong Watson Financial Planning and Wealth Management – part of Armstrong Watson LLP – have announced the launch of their new retirement planning advisory brand with a focus on individuals. With research indicating that by 2035 there will be over 4 million more people heading into th

Profit warnings issued by UK-listed companies with a defined benefit (DB) pension scheme increased by 38% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2022. EY-Parthenon’s latest Profit Warnings analysis finds that the number of profit warnings issued by UK-listed firms with a DB scheme rose from 13 i

The recent economic turmoil amid the mini budget and resulting instability of the Pound Sterling led to the Bank of England stepping in to stabilise the gilt market to prevent a more serious financial crisis. Kevin Hollister, founder of pensions planning firm Guiide, discusses what is perhaps the mo

Scottish fintech Guiide has raised new investment of around £200,000 and has made three new hires - two directors and a highly experienced adviser. The two new directors are Clare Hawkins, a former NHS Trust chief executive, who will lead on governance and Stewart Lawrie, an experienced f

Employees at stricken McGill, the Dundee-based contractor, have contacted our sister publication Scottish Construction Now to raise concerns over their pensions - alleging that pension contributions deducted from some employees' wages have not been paid into the designated pension fund and clai

The government has published legislation confirming that low earners who save through a Net Pay Arrangement (NPA) will get the same level of government top-up as those who use Relief at Source schemes. Under the new legislation, 1.2 million low earners to see a boost to their take-home pay from 2025

Over one million people are considering a reduction to their pension contributions to deal with the cost of living crisis.

Scottish Leather Group, producer of sustainable leather, has contracted the services of Isio, a national pensions and investment advisory firm with offices in both Edinburgh and Glasgow. Isio has been appointed as scheme actuary, investment advisor and administrator to the Scottish Leather Group pen

Support for ‘greener’ pension schemes has been growing among UK savers with over two fifths of savers having shown support for the government's eco-friendly push, pressuring pension schemes to move away from investments driving deforestation.