The People’s Pension call for a package of changes ahead of Autumn Budget

The People’s Pension are calling for a package of changes ahead of this year’s Autumn Budget with calls for a fundamental reform to pensions tax relief, removal of net pay and the scrapping of the Lifetime ISA.

Looking ahead to this year’s Autumn Budget, Gregg McClymont, director of Policy & External Affairs at The People’s Pension, said:

“In this year’s budget we want to see changes that will benefit those who need most to boost their retirement savings and simplify the savings landscape, including a reform of pensions tax relief, the removal of the net pay anomaly, and the scrapping of the Lifetime ISA (LISA).

“The current system of tax relief is confusing to most people and favours a minority of higher earners. It’s time for the government to introduce a flat rate savers’ bonus. For every £1 saved the government could add 25p. Clearly, there are issues to be worked through on the Defined Benefit (DB) side, and the government should commit to doing so.

“Currently, more than a million low earners, whose pension provider operates what’s called a net pay arrangement, could be missing out on 20% tax relief through no fault of their own. Its unsustainable for Government to automatically enrol millions of people into pensions and not ensure that the system works fairly on their behalf. It’s a scandal waiting to happen, at a time when maintaining public confidence in auto-enrolment is crucial.

“Finally, we’re calling for scrapping of the LISA. With nearly 10 million people now saving for retirement through automatic-enrolment, the focus should on making this long term savings vehicle work.  The LISA is confusing, dilutes the simplicity which made ISAs popular in the first place, and has had very low take up. Scrapping it would be a contribution to joined up government thinking on long term savings.

“This package of measures would simplify pension saving and re-direct incentives to save at those on middle incomes.”  

ENDS

Notes to editor:

• The People’s Pension is a leading and not-for-profit master trust (multi-employer pension scheme) in the UK, with more than 4 million members from more than 80,000 employers, and £5bn Assets Under Management. We tweet as @peoplespension.

For more information please contact Alana Stuart, press officer, 01293 205332, alanastuart@bandce.co.uk