Pensions and Retirement

More than five million UK households are now in debt to energy companies, it has been claimed.Consumer advice service uSwitch.com said the recent cold snap, coupled with average price increases of 16 per cent, has resulted in 5.5 million customers owing money to their suppliers.According to uSwitch, the total outstanding ... read more

Price cuts made by the major energy suppliers over recent weeks are disappointing, it has been claimed.Consumer advice service uSwitch.com has voiced its concerns as despite the cuts, energy prices are still "far higher" than they were two years ago.The organisation also showed disappointment that all of the new tariffs, ... read more

Some of the country's biggest employers are currently burdened by some of the biggest pension scheme deficits, it has been revealed. Recently, the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) reported that rallies in the global stock markets helped the UK's 7,400 defined benefit pension schemes cut their shortfalls markedly over the past ... read more

British households could be set to face higher premiums for household and car insurance policies following the cold winter snap.Figures from a report from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) have revealed that the coldest UK winter for more than 30 years contributed to £650 million being paid out in ... read more

A £15.1 billion deficit has been revealed in the UK's defined benefit pension schemes.The figures, which were published by the Pension Protection Fund (PPF), come despite a monthly improvement.PPF calculated the deficit by taking total liabilities from the total assets of 7,400 defined benefit pension schemes in the UK.Concerns about ... read more

Pension trustees in the UK have been reminded of their powers to modify and disclaim onerous contracts.The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) has issued new guidance explaining the course of action that is open to trustees under section 161 and Schedule 6 of the Pensions Act 2004.In the new guide, the ... read more

The timing of new deals announced by some energy suppliers has been questioned by one price comparison service.Confused.com has voiced concerns that price cuts that are planned to come into effect on March 31st are "too little too late".Gareth Kloet, head of energy at Confused.com, said: "Although it's great to ... read more

A number of British workers have voiced concerns about the security of saving in a pension scheme.Figures from a new report from the National Association of Pension funds (NAPF) have revealed that 27 per cent of respondents would be more likely to save in a pension if they were sure ... read more

British Gas has been replaced by First Utility as the UK's cheapest energy supplier, according to one price comparison service.Figures from Confused.com have revealed that First Utility's new iSave V3 tariff offers customers an average bill of £889, £10 cheaper than British Gas's best offer.Gareth Kloet, head of utilities at ... read more

Government proposals to alter pension taxations for high earners could be bad news for the wider pensions market.This is the view of the National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF), which has outlined a simple three-point plan for the government to avoid such problems.The organisation is calling on the government to ... read more