14 October 2009
The National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF), currently at
its three day annual conference, has called for a "serious
debate" about the future of workplace retirement provision.
NAPF chief executive Joanne Segars criticised recent
"short-term" pensions policy initiatives from the government and
other political parties.
Recently proposals include capping the pay of the civil
servants, delaying the state pension age to 66 and also
putting back the date for restoring the link between pension
increases and earnings.
Ms Segars said "It's headline-grabbing stuff, but there has been
nothing fundamental and longer-term that will help to ensure
workplace pensions". The NAPF wanted a more "fundamental
debate" over how to provide the best pension arrangements adding
"This is our last conference before the election. It is important
to us to get politicians to take pensions issues seriously."
On a separate note the NAPF's Workplace Pensions Survey has
shown a strong improvement in employee confidence in pensions. From
a low point of +1% at the end of last year confidence was
found to be at +11% at the end of September 2009.
