Beware: Lockdown offers a way in for all kinds of scammers
The Scotsman newspaper highlights the problem of pension scams, quoting Ros’ concerns about the coronavirus lockdown leaving more people at risk. ( link to pdf )
How to avoid falling for a coronavirus scam
The North West Evening Mail gives tips on how to avoid scams during the coronavirus lockdown. (Subscription needed to view.)
Plumbing Pensions seeks approval to fund legal battles for s75 non-payments
Professional Pensions magazine highlights the news that the Plumbing Pension Scheme has applied to the Scottish Courts to be permitted to use scheme assets to defend any challenges to its handling of the scheme assets and failures to collect past Section 75 debts from departing employers, despite statutory obligations to do so. ( link to pdf )
Parliamentary group launches to step up action on pension scams
Professional Adviser magazine outlines the plans for a new All Party Parliamentary Group on Pension Scams, aimed at helping to combat the growing scam scourge. ( link to pdf )
Spring Budget 2020: Govt confirms review into net pay anomaly
Ros welcomes the Spring Budget announcement that there will be a review into the Net Pay scandal and Pensions Age reports on this. ( link to pdf )
Pension freedoms reform called for after fears savers will run out of money
Professional Pensions carries Ros’ views that consumers need independent guidance or advice, rather than being signposted to pension provider helplines. The ABI has called for greater help for consumers, which is right, but it needs to be impartial. ( link to pdf )
Three quarters of savers caught in net pay anomaly are women
PensionsAge magazine reports on the Written Parliamentary Question asked by Ros, whose response from Treasury shows that over 1million low earners, three quarters of whom are women, have been put into workplace Net Pay pension schemes which charge them 25% extra for their pensions than if their employer used a different scheme.( link to pdf )
SNIPEF Continues Pushing for Changes to Devastating Pensions Legislation
Scottish Business News reports on attempts by MPs to find a resolution to the injustice of good employers facing bankruptcy and destitution because they can’t afford to buy annuities for plumbers they never employed in a fully funded scheme that isn’t buying annuities. ( link to pdf )
Would you delay PART of your state pension to get more later? And should ill people and carers get it early?
MailonLine highlights Ros’ suggestions that people who are seriously ill or caring for others might be allowed to take their state pension early. ( link to pdf )
The pension payback victims who refused to pay back money they were paid by mistake… and won!
Ros is quoted in the Daily Mail about people who are asked to repay huge sums because their pension administration system made mistakes – they should not have to repay but should be able to rely on the experts to get the sums right. ( link to pdf )