Interesting article @peterkellner.bsky.social . The smoothed earnings link idea is how it works in Australia. Sensible, but saves very little for years. Other options available to tackle pension age issue, including a minimum guaranteed payout period - helps deprived areas most. Happy to discuss!

There are always Trumps.

And so that is why the United States constitution has checks and balances for the misuse of presidential power.

The real story of Trump’s presidency is not only what he has done, but also what Congress and the Supreme Court have not done.

Interesting chart Chris - do you have a feel for how the sharp rise in women's state pension age (from 60 in 2010 to 66 in 2020) is reflected in the charts? I would assume this would be a major factor in the relative increase in women's participation rates.

On which note: bsky.app/profile/did:...

Thanks Tim, interested in your reply. In principle, using the info they do have on pensions, wages and (most?) interest income saves the taxpayer having to enter it. Have you found cases where the ‘simple assessment’ demands have been incorrect as a result?

Agree entirely. The reference to ‘only’ a basic pension is a red herring, as the basic pension is so far below the tax threshold that such people were never at risk of being taxed in any case. It’s a cover for a tax ‘amnesty’ applying only to a subset of people on new state pension

Great stuff @martinlewis.moneysavingexpert.com and fascinating exchange with the Chancellor on tax and the state pension. I think what she said is being widely misreported and misinterpreted by others - happy to chat to you or your team next week.

Agreed - I think it should be a new Budget ‘tradition’!

No - salary sacrifice is a deal where the worker voluntarily agrees to sacrifice some money so that the employer pays more into the pension on their behalf. Not applicable to standard DB (but could be to AVCs)