An appraisal of the Pensions White Paper proposals

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to evaluate the Pensions White Paper proposals against down to earth and relatively obvious objectives and criteria; and to suggest some options – no matter how politically difficult – which need to be considered.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper assesses eight objectives which the White Paper should meet, namely: increasing retirement saving and reducing the savings gap; adequate minimum income for all aged over 75; incentives for retirement saving; simpler retirement saving products; tidying up state saving schemes; public sector and private pension provisioning; retirement saving products and arrangements for changing times; and stability for the future.

Findings

The White Paper has the hallmarks of a compromise and politically crafted palliative, which is in danger of having unintended and contrarian effects towards reducing rather than increasing pension savings.

Originality/value

The paper offers a critical appraisal of the Pensions White Paper proposals.

Citation

Flight, H. (2007), "An appraisal of the Pensions White Paper proposals", Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance, Vol. 15 No. 1, pp. 99-107. https://doi.org/10.1108/13581980710727038