Pension scheme surpluses have started the new year on a high despite increases in their liabilities, according to estimates from XPS Pensions Group.

Concerns over the sustainability of the State Pension Triple Lock could be a major influence on the way people vote in the General Election expected later this year, Steven Cameron, pensions director at Aegon, has predicted.

Pensions Minister Paul Maynard MP has been referred to an investigator by the Parliamentary expenses watchdog over reports that he charged taxpayers when producing political materials.

Anthony Arter CBE has been appointed as interim chair of The Pensions Ombudsman (TPO) to replace Caroline Rookes who died in October.

Almost half of over 50s don’t know that annuities come in many forms and with various options, according to research from Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s National Insurance (NI) cuts, which come into effect on Saturday, could hit the future funding of the state pension and current triple lock.

A former pension scheme trustee has been given a 10-month jail term, suspended for 12 months, after admitting using scheme funds to make five prohibited loans to entities connected to the scheme’s sponsoring employer.

Fast-growing wealth manager and Financial Planner Perspective Financial Group completed two more acquisitions shortly before the Christmas break, adding £190m AUM to the firm.

Knaresborough-based Financial Planning firm Prosperis has acquired Newcastle-based IFA Stephen McDine Ltd for an undisclosed sum.

Wealth manager and Financial Planner Killik & Co has opened a new office in Chiswick, an upmarket area in west London.