Pensions reform a missed opportunity, expert claims

Mon, 11 Sep 2006

The recent government reform of the pension system is a "missed opportunity", according to an expert.

Furthermore, the rivalry between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown has led to the problem, Dr Ros Altmann has claimed.

Speaking on Channel 4's 30 Minutes, Dr Altmann asserted arguments between the two politicians could have led to the problems she believes are present in the pension reforms.

"Part of the problem lies in the rivalry between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown," she claimed.

"Tony Blair asked me to write a proposal on how pensions reform could be made simpler.

"I put forward the idea of raising the state pension and ending means testing. Although the Prime Minister liked my ideas I believe Gordon Brown blocked them because he didn’t want to end means testing."

Recent changes outlined in the Pensions White Paper included raising the retirement age to 68 in the UK, as a means of restoring the link to earnings.

Proposals also include the creation of a National Pension Savings Scheme, with auto-enrolment.


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