The Pensions Policy Institute (PPI) has published research highlighting the shortcomings in the UK government's white paper reform proposals for pensions, which will form the basis of a national pensions savings scheme.
The PPI found that most people will have less than GBP135 a week from the reformed state pensions, and that the government’s changes will change the overall income distribution of older people very little, but if anything give more to higher income people than lower income. •
In addition, the PPI says that the white paper’s estimate of the likely number of people eligible for the means-tested pension credit in future (around one-third) looks to be at the bottom of a wide possible range.
Our aim with this report is evidence-based policy making, said Alison O’Connell, director of the PPI. The PPI is the only independent organization able to provide a full economic assessment of the outcome of different policy options.
Our report highlights some concerns, she adds. As government wants to build a consensus we believe these concerns should be freely discussed, with evidence, so that people can understand the implications of the proposals as best as possible and come to their own views on whether the white paper proposes the right pension policy for the future.