The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games take place from 27 July to 12 August and 29 August to 9 September, respectively. The Games will cause disruption to businesses across the UK, particularly in London itself. Businesses involved in the Games or close to competition venues will have already considered …
Read ‘HR Support – Are you ready to let the Games begin? ‘ »
As you may remember on 6 April 2006 (A-Day), pensions legislation was supposedly ‘simplified’!
One of the changes made was to the calculation of the amount a member could take as a tax free cash sum at retirement – now called the pension commencement lump sum (PCLS).
For defined contribution schemes, the …
With the growing popularity of salary sacrifice, it is important for employers not to overlook the requirements for employees going on maternity leave.
During maternity leave, employers are required to continue to provide the majority of ‘non-cash benefits’ that an employee was entitled to before maternity leave, including pension contributions and …
Read ‘Salary sacrifice & maternity leave – make sure you’re fully equiped’ »
Unfortunately, Trustees (and the responsibility applies equally to the employer if it is the trustee) sometimes have to make the difficult decision as to whom benefits should be paid to in the event of a member’s death.
Care and attention to detail are essential. There are procedures that must be followed …
Read ‘Trustees’ discretion and the payment of benefits on death ‘ »
George Osborne might have left pensions tax relief, tax-free lump sums and the Annual Allowance unchanged in his budget but there are a number of issues, confirmed in policy documents (if not in the Chancellor’s speech) that it is worth being aware of.
The rules around Annual Allowance, asset-backed contributions (to …
Even in difficult times, good people are mobile. How can you make sure you have the right team in place and keep them there? Set out below are 6 key areas for careful consideration.
Make effective selection decisions
Get it right at the outset; profile the role and the type of …
Read ‘Employees jumping ship? 6 pointers to help you find and keep the right crew ‘ »
This lyric from a song sung by Whitney Houston is even more apt today than it was all those years ago when she popularised the song. Not because of Whitney Houston’s recent tragic death but because ‘our children (and grandchildren) are the future’ and yet they may be facing one …
With the end of the Default Retirement Age (DRA) last year, how should you be managing retirement?
The DRA was a reliable prompt for discussions about retirement. Keen to retire employees had the date etched on their minds and were vocal about it, and others, not so keen, understood their employer …
Read ‘HR Support – 7 Steps to Managing Retirement Successfully’ »
Warning against ‘pensions unlocking’ or ‘pensions liberation’
The Pensions Regulator, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are warning members and trustees about companies offering people the opportunity to get cash out of their pension schemes before they reach age 55.
There has been an increase in these …
What are you working for? To survive financially, or to realise your ambitions, for yourself and your family?
As financial planners we always start by helping our clients to articulate their vision and goals for their life. And to understand their values. This is because our aim is to help our …
