A case of keep your distance

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The distance marketing directive (DMD) is a piece of regulation that dropped into our laps in Octobe...

The distance marketing directive (DMD) is a piece of regulation that dropped into our laps in October last year. Its primary purpose, to protect investors from being entered into financial contracts without express written permission, is well intended. But there are, I think, some unintended knock on effects which are detrimental for pensions. The DMD covers contracts written 'at a distance' where the parties involved are not physically present together. As you would expect, direct mail shots, off the page advertising, internet and telephone transactions are all covered, but so is auto-enr...