New carry forward pension rule interpretation provides opportunity for pension investors Read more >>> 28 November 2011
A new interpretation of the pension rules has opened up opportunities for pension investors to make significant contributions to their pension scheme.
HMRC has announced changes to its interpretation of the carry forward rules which allow investors to sweep up unused contribution allowances from the previous three tax years. The carry forward rules allow investors to make contributions in the current tax year where they have paid in less than £50,000 in any of the previous three tax years. Where no contributions have been paid in the previous three tax years, investors can now pay in up to an additional £150,000.
Charges debate for execution only platforms – a comparison of the leading providers Read more >>> 25 November 2011
There has been a great deal of discussion recently on the pricing structure of retail investment platforms and funds in the execution only DIY market. Changes to how investment platforms apply their charges have started to surface. There has also been speculation around the possible impact of changes coming from the work that platforms and fund groups are undertaking as a result of the Retail Distribution Review. Price is a key decision driver for DIY investors, with all of this in mind it is likely that charges will remain a topic of discussion for the foreseeable future.
A J Bell adds 1,000 funds to the Sippcentre platform's core range Read more >>> 21 November 2011
This core fund range is available on the Advisory option across the Sippcentre SIPP, ISA and Dealing Account. Advisers will now have access to more than 3,000 core funds of which 2,850 have no initial, dealing or switch charges (for online deals). The additional funds have been added to satisfy the demand for increased choice as adviser firms prepare for the RDR and include a number of institutional share class and index tracking funds.
Sippdeal announces £4.95 online dealing charge Read more >>> 18 October 2011
The £4.95 online dealing charge will be available to Sippdeal SIPP, ISA and Dealing Account clients who place 20 or more deals in a month. The charge will be applied to all online deals placed in the following calendar month. The frequent dealing charge will be available from 1 November 2011 and form part of Sippdeals unique pricing, where clients never pay more than £9.95 for an online deal.
Advisers say yes to flexible drawdown Read more >>> 6 April 2011
A J Bell today announces the results of a survey that shows there is significant adviser demand for flexible drawdown. Also, contrary to industry speculation, the preferred use of flexible drawdown will not be to exhaust the pension fund. The majority of advisers indicated that they would be using it as a tax planning income tool.
Men £12,000 worse off following ruling Read more >>> 01 March 2011
Following on from the ECJ ruling today, Billy Mackay, Marketing Director of SIPP provider A J Bell said: "It could be argued that this ruling actually introduces discrimination. It's bad for women and men.
A J Bell warns on Early Access tax charges Read more >>> 28 February 2011
Low cost SIPP provider A J Bell has warned that inappropriate tax charges may arise from Government proposals to allow early access to pension schemes. In a consultation HM Treasury has suggested four options allowing savers to access all or part of their pension fund before they reach their minimum pension age.
Drawdown investors may be hit by income double dip Read more >>> 15 February 2011
Investors looking to move into drawdown may see their potential income hit by a double dip with effect from 6 April this year. The maximum income available from drawdown is calculated using tables prepared by the Governement Actuary's Department (GAD). Since 6 April 2006 the figure has been uplifted by 20% as part of the calculation for those under age 75.
A J Bell appoints Business Development Manager Read more >>> 2 November 2010
A J Bell today announces the appointment of Alison Mollard as Business Development Manager for the South East and London. Most of Alison's 15 year career has been focussed on the SIPP and SSAS market, starting as a SSAS Consultant for a large firm of Consulting Actuaries. Alison then spent 10 years with Wolanski & Co Trustees Limited which was later acquired by Alliance Trust.
Women take control of their retirement planning Read more >>> 30 September 2010
Low-cost SIPP provider A J Bell has reported a sharp upturn in the number of women taking out self-invested personal pensions in the past six months. It has seen an increase of 108% in the number of women setting up SIPPs in the Sippdeal service since February.
A J Bell appoints new Business Development Manager Read more >>> 28 June 2010
A J Bell today announces the appointment of David Walker as Business Development Manager for Scotland and Northern Ireland. Mr Walker has more than 20 years financial services experience. Prior to joining A J Bell he spent 13 years with Skandia as an Executive Consultant, responsible for the promotion of all of their products. Prior to this he was with Eagle Star for 9 years.
SIPPs lead the adviser move to online dealing Read more >>> 22 March 2010
A J Bell today reveals the extent to which advisers have embraced online dealing with 95% of all Sippcentre deals, through its in-house dealing platform, carried out online in February 2010. At launch, in August 2009, online deals accounted for a little over 80% of adviser activity.
Higher rate tax relief – use it before you lose it Read more >>> 1 March 2010
A J Bell today encourages savers to plan their pension contributions to ensure that they benefit from higher rate tax relief whilst it is still available. The Government announced, in the 2009 Budget, their intention to introduce measures to reduce the tax relief on pension contributions available for those earning more than £150,000 per annum.
A J Bell welcomes Transfer Trap removal Read more >>> 26 February 2010
A J Bell today welcomes the long awaited release of regulations removing the Transfer Trap from the anti-forestalling rules. Prior to this change, pension savers who benefited from protection of their existing regular contributions lost this if they transferred to another pension scheme.
Remove the transfer trap Read more >>> 29 January 2010
A J Bell today calls on the Government to make good on their pledge to remove the Transfer Trap from the anti-forestalling rules.
A J Bell launches online video channel SippTalk.tv Read more >>> 11 January 2010
A J Bell, one of the UKs largest SIPP providers and stockbrokers, today announces the launch of SippTalk.tv an online video channel for advisers and pension savers. This new service is now available at www.sippcentre.co.uk and www.sipptalk.tv.
A J Bell clears up confusion re anti-forestalling changes Read more >>> 11 December 2009
In Wednesdays Pre-Budget Report Alistair Darling announced that employer contributions must be included in the income calculations of those higher earners affected by the anti-forestalling restrictions on pensions tax relief. There was some ambiguity in the Pre-Budget Report Notes as to whether this change took immediate effect.
A J Bell break through 40,000 SIPPs Read more >>> 5 October 2009
A J Bell has today announced that they have broken through the 40,000 mark for the number of SIPPs on their platform, reaffirming their position as the 3rd largest SIPP provider in the UK.
A J Bell critical of HMRC stance on post Budget pension contributions Read more >>> 29 May 2009
A J Bell, one of the UK's largest SIPP providers has criticised HMRC for adopting a tough line on contributions received after Budget day on 22nd April 2009. HMRC has confirmed that where a cheque was sent or the process of payment started before Budget day but payment was not completed until on or after, contributions must be treated as payments made after 22nd April. This raises the prospect of a potential charge to the new Special Annual Allowance tax charge.
Volatile market adds weight to demands for review of ASP tax Read more >>> 23 March 2009
A J Bell, one of the UKs leading SIPP providers, believe that the current volatile market conditions increases the financial burden on consumers and adds weight to the demand for reducing the tax on lump sum payments on death in Alternatively Secured Pension (ASP) from 82% to 55%.
Proposal to reduce ASP tax on death Read more >>> 12 March 2009
Two of the most controversial areas of debate in the run up to April 2006 were the tax treatment of residual Alternatively Secured Pension funds on death and the proposal to allow pension schemes to invest in residential property.
SIPPs to invest in UK residential property Read more >>> 12 March 2009
Two of the most controversial areas of debate in the run up to April 2006 were the tax treatment of residual Alternatively Secured Pension funds on death and the proposal to allow pension schemes to invest in residential property.
A J Bell appoints new Managing Director Read more >>> 26 August 2008
A J Bell today announces that Richard Taylor has been appointed as Managing Director of A J Bell Pensions, responsible for its SSAS and SIPP business. He will work alongside Charles Galbraith who is Managing Director of Lawshare, A J Bell's stockbroking arm.
SIPP cost allegations naive Read more >>> 3 July 2008
A J Bell one of the UKs largest SSAS and SIPP providers believe that a greater understanding of SIPPs is required with many general allegations of high cost being naive.
Abolition of survivors pension requirement Read more >>> 5 June 2008
Andy Bell, actuary and Chief Executive of A J Bell, welcomed the announcement, made last night by James Purnell, the Secretary of State for the Department of Work and Pensions, that the requirement to provide a survivor's pension from protected rights is to be removed at the same point as the other restrictions on protected rights are abolished. The DWP is currently planning to implement these changes in 2012.
A J Bell Group appoints new Marketing Director Read more >>> 29 April 2008
A J Bell one of the UKs largest SSAS and SIPP providers, today announces the appointment of Billy Mackay as marketing director. Mackay is set to join A J Bell in the summer from Skandia where he has worked for the past eleven years.
A J Bell looks to the Stars! Read more >>> 4 April 2008
As a break from the well-ordered chaos that is the end of the tax year, the A J Bell Group, one of the UKs largest SIPP and SSAS providers, took time out to look at the star signs of its SIPP and SSAS clients. The results of the two surveys are quite entertaining and illuminating.
A J Bell Group support PMI training initiative Read more >>> 1 February 2008
The A J Bell Group has recently launched a pilot of the Pensions Management Institutes Diploma in Member Directed Pension Scheme Administration (MDPSA), having successfully achieved Approved Centre status for the qualification at the start of this year.