Joanne Segars, chief executive of NAPF
Act now or risk failure is the message to the Government today from two major organisations, which say there is a "unnerving lack of detail" still about the guidance guarantee on pensions.
The pledge for free impartial guidance was a key plank of the Coalition's sweeping pension reforms.
But The Association of British Insurers and The National Association of Pension Funds have implored Ministers to make some fundamental decisions quickly – if they want it delivered by the April 2015 implementation deadline.
In a joint ABI/NAPF letter sent today to the Chancellor George Osborne, they urge action on the following:
• Defining what areas the guidance guarantee will cover and who it will be available to.
• Which organisations will deliver the guidance.
• Who will lead in setting up the service and establishing its standards.
• How the funding framework will work.
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Joanne Segars, chief executive of NAPF, said: "The Budget announcement was nearly three months ago and there remains an unnerving lack of detail from the Government about how the 'guidance guarantee' will be delivered.
"It is clear the success of the Government's reforms will lie in making sure consumers have access to good impartial guidance so they can make the right decisions about their income for retirement.
"Key to this will be a clear structure and plan for delivery.
"The consultation does not need to have been completed before the practical delivery of the guidance service can be mapped out and we are calling on the Government to work with us and the small group of stakeholders who will have ultimate responsibility for its delivery, to put this plan in place by the end of July."
