How this website started

This website started with the observation that dealing costs were not, and still are not included in the stakeholder cap on charges, nor were they included in the cap for CAT standards, although the Treasury said:

"Our CAT standards will get rid of the small print and hidden charges that worry people so much." x

But the government was encouraging the trustees of occupational pension schemes to pay attention to these costs. x x Therefore it was discouraging retail investors from looking at dealing costs, while simultaneously encouraging occupational pension schemes to do so. This paradoxical situation has reach a new level with the unbundling of soft commissions. x The FSA is proposing "investor representatives" for the entire industry which it regulates, to be concerned especially or entirely with dealing costs.

Most recently, this website is concerned with the proposal of the Pensions Commission for a National Pension Saving Scheme often referred to as "BritSaver".

1. A nation of pension punters

2. A double whammy

3. "The root cause of the problems"

4. "A massive strategic policy error"

5. Charters for churners

6. "Building trust in the market"

7. Building trust in trustees and promoting large pension schemes