Earlier this week, the government announced a new pension reform which would involve the creation of a flat-rate state pension … Continue reading “Webb’s pension reform: one more step in the nationalisation of welfare”

Today’s announcement by Iain Duncan Smith that there will be a simple state pension of £140 for all has been … Continue reading “IDS’s pension reforms: The Good, the Bad and the Unexplained”

This week, Pensions Minister Steve Webb MP described the views of the authors of Sharing the burden – How the … Continue reading “The seen and the unseen – benefits, and the taxes used to finance them”

The Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) was not particularly comprehensive. It will reduce spending as a proportion of national income to … Continue reading “Pensioners should suffer their share of the cuts”

Banker-bashing, hedge-fund bashing, speculator-bashing: one of the legacies of the  financial crisis will surely be a hugely negative perception of … Continue reading “Chile’s private pension system has weathered the crisis”

Trade unions in France have historically commanded a disproportionate level of power and influence over government policy. The percentage of … Continue reading “Can Sarkozy beat the unions?”

Yesterday we had the widely-trailed report on reforming public sector pensions. It has been put to me, including on Radio … Continue reading “John Hutton’s report on public sector pensions is a step in the right direction – but he needs to go much further”

Banker-bashing, hedge-fund bashing, speculator-bashing: one of the legacies of the financial crisis will surely be a hugely negative perception of financial … Continue reading “Chile’s private pension system has weathered the crisis”

Today is International Labour Day, a day to celebrate “the social achievements of the workers”. Or so they say. Unfortunately, … Continue reading “An alternative Labour Day: Chile’s private pension system turns 28”