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Why are our pensions in crisis?

Huge deficits mean around 600 pension funds are certain to collapse in the next decade, according to the Pensions Institute at Cass Business School. It says another 400 are also at risk. These funds have combined deficits of around £45 billion, a figure which could potentially overwhelm the PPF rescue fund.

Britain’s blue chips are dishing out billions more in dividends to shareholders despite a crisis in their pension funds. One investment group analysis shows that 54 companies in the FTSE 100 index have handed out £48billion to investors in the last two years despite having a £52 billion pension black hole.

Another commentator said that insufficient contributions to pension funds could leave companies with hefty liabilities which could drag on future performance and, ultimately, lead to staff receiving lower pensions if the business runs in to difficulties and enters administration.

This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, investment recommendations or investment research. You should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this communication is correct, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions.

Other News

Financial changes in France for 2018

French flag against a blue skyJanuary 2018 will see the French government introduce several legislative, tax and other financial changes, some of which will be of interest to British expats living in France.

First and foremost is the change to the wealth tax – also known as the Impôt de Solidarité sur la Fortune (ISF – or the “solidarity tax on wealth”). We touched on the topic last year when discussing the number of French job opportunities rapidly increasing.

The country’s president, Emmanuel Macron, who was elected in May 2017, has introduced the change as part of a push to attract more wealthy investors to France. The change is just one of many in what he called a “profound transformation of France” in his new year’s address.

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NEWS WRAP – PLSA Publishes UK Retirement Living Standards

Older Couple ShoppingThe Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) has published a guide to UK Retirement Living Standards* as part of a mission to assist people in working towards a prosperous future retirement.

Research by the PLSA found that 51% of retirement investors are overly focused on their current economic needs, with only 23% properly educated on what it will likely take for them to adequately fund their retirement. However, the newly published Standards are designed to address this shortfall by providing investors with the knowledge and guidance they need to picture their future lifestyle.

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