23rd April 2015

Scottish Widows Techtalk

Our technical magazine for financial advisers

Techtalk is our free online magazine which is written by our technical experts and provides technically relevant, up-to-date information.

The key rationale of techtalk, and indeed one of the reasons it is so popular amongst financial advisers, is the non-sales, non-promotional approach of the articles. The overall theme is to anticipate, interpret and forecast key industry changes and regulation.

Welcome to the April 2015 Edition of Techtalk.

See how your business could benefit as our financial planning team looks at the latest opportunities in the market.

FLEXI-ACCESS DRAWDOWN AND UNCRYSTALLISED FUNDS PENSION LUMP SUMS EXPLAINED

> Chris Jones
The new pensions Freedom and Choice reforms are now in force bringing two new ways for your clients to take money from their pension fund flexibly. Here we look at how each of them works.

RECIPES FOR SUCCESS – USES OF DRAWDOWN AND PENSION ENCASHMENT

> Ian Naismith
The choice between flexi-access drawdown and pension encashment is not always straightforward. This article uses case studies to explore some of the issues.

CAPPED DRAWDOWN: ONGOING BENEFITS IN THE NEW REGIME

> Bernadette Lewis
We explain the basics of the retirement planning opportunities open to those who stay in the capped drawdown regime after April 2015.

LIMITING FACTOR: THE £10,000 ANNUAL ALLOWANCE

> Thomas Coughlan
Accessing pensions under the new flexible pension rules imposes a reduced annual allowance on the member. How this allowance operates is explained in detail.

PENSION DEATH BENEFITS – THE NEW RULES

> Chris Jones
A key part of the Freedom and Choice in pensions reforms were significant changes in the taxation of pension death benefits. The new rules are far more generous than many thought would be the case and offer up some new planning opportunities.

FAQs: FREEDOM OF CHOICE

> Thomas Coughlan

A summary of some of our recent FAQs on the new pension freedoms

CHOOSING THE RIGHT FUND FOR THE ACCUMULATION PHASE

  > Lynn Graves

A look at employer considerations when selecting default funds for workplace pension schemes

DECISION OF A LIFETIME

> Ian Naismith

We look at planning considerations in advance of the lifetime allowance reducing to £1 million in April 2016 - Ian Naismith

EXTENDING PENSION FREEDOMS TO EXISTANCE ANNUITANTS

> Bernadette Lewis

A summary of the government’s consultation on creating a secondary market in annuities -

Download the full issue >

Regulation, Technical, Pensions, Pension Reforms

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