Pensions

pre-budget: the main points

• The Government's proposed new pension regime will allow pension schemes to invest in a broad...

• The Government's proposed new pension regime will allow pension schemes to invest in a broad range of asset classes, including residential property. • There will be limits on holdings of shares in the sponsoring employer's company (5% of the fund value) and on loans to employers. • Schemes should be free to decide how and when to move to a minimum pension age of 55 by 2010. At present, the minimum age is 50. • The new rules would allow up to 25% of the capital value of the pension, below the lifetime allowance, to be paid as a tax-free lump sum. • On drawdown, the Government p...