Webb accused of misleading the public over pension fees

Pensions minister Steve Webb has been accused of “jumping on the bandwagon” and misleading the public on pension fund management charges.

Doug Johnstone, chairman of Creative Benefits, has written to Webb imploring him to present a more balanced view on pension charges.

Webb has recently said the government is committed to eradicating what he sees as unreasonably high charges and active member discounts (AMDs) from the industry.

But Johnstone has accused the minister, pictured, of "riding the misinformed press bandwagon on charges."

Johnstone claimed the government has used the worst examples of past high charges as representative of today's charging structures. He said the creation of stakeholder significantly decreased charges.

"Today we come across very few plans with charges higher than 1% per annum," said Johnstone.

He added higher charges may apply for specialist investment funds and self investment.

Johnstone defended charging structures which build in the cost of independent advice.

"Without a well-promoted plan with good advice available to employees, a very high proportion just does not join whatever the charges, so what is the point of lower charges if it means employees do not save for retirement?" he said.

Johnstone's comments come after the National Association of Pension Funds announced it will create a code of conduct on charges and transparency.

Lord McFall, chair of the Workplace Retirement Income Commission, has called for a cap on charges company pension schemes.