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Workers' pensions get more protection in new bill | Workers' pensions get more protection in new bill |
(35 minutes later) | |
More than 6m workers who pay into master trust pensions will see their money better protected, under a bill that has been published. | |
There had been concern that their savings might be at risk, should one of the pension schemes collapse. | There had been concern that their savings might be at risk, should one of the pension schemes collapse. |
Master trust pensions will now need to meet higher standards of governance, while there will be new powers for the regulator. | Master trust pensions will now need to meet higher standards of governance, while there will be new powers for the regulator. |
The bill will also enable a cap to be put on exit fees from pension pots. | The bill will also enable a cap to be put on exit fees from pension pots. |
"We want to make sure that people saving into master trusts enjoy the same protection as everyone else, which is why we are levelling-up that protection, to give these savers more confidence in their pension schemes," said pensions minister Richard Harrington. | "We want to make sure that people saving into master trusts enjoy the same protection as everyone else, which is why we are levelling-up that protection, to give these savers more confidence in their pension schemes," said pensions minister Richard Harrington. |
Master trust pensions are typically used by smaller employers, and include the government-backed NEST scheme, as well as Now: Pensions. | |
In February this year the BBC reported that up to a quarter of a million people who pay into master trust schemes might not have their savings protected. | In February this year the BBC reported that up to a quarter of a million people who pay into master trust schemes might not have their savings protected. |
It also aired concerns about the qualifications of people who are allowed to set up master trust pensions. | It also aired concerns about the qualifications of people who are allowed to set up master trust pensions. |
Exit fees | Exit fees |
When the bill becomes law, operators of master trust schemes will have to show: | When the bill becomes law, operators of master trust schemes will have to show: |
The chief executive of The Pensions Regulator (TPR), Lesley Titcomb, welcomed the publication of the bill. | The chief executive of The Pensions Regulator (TPR), Lesley Titcomb, welcomed the publication of the bill. |
"We are very pleased that the Pension Scheme Bill will drive up standards and give us tough new supervisory powers to authorise and de-authorise master trusts according to strict criteria, ensuring members are better protected and ultimately receive the benefits they expect." | "We are very pleased that the Pension Scheme Bill will drive up standards and give us tough new supervisory powers to authorise and de-authorise master trusts according to strict criteria, ensuring members are better protected and ultimately receive the benefits they expect." |
The bill will also enable regulators to introduce a cap on exit fees from pension pots, which in some cases had been as high as 10%. | The bill will also enable regulators to introduce a cap on exit fees from pension pots, which in some cases had been as high as 10%. |
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) wants there to be no exit charges on private pensions from March next year, and the government wants occupational pensions to have a similar cap. | |
The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) welcomed the bill, but said it would require detailed scrutiny to ensure it works as intended. |