Three things we learned this week

Retirement Planner's round up of the top pensions stories of the week.

Webb: Paid-for quality advice on pensions 'crucial'

Pensions minister Steve Webb has highlighted the role of IFAs in making pensions reform a success, but said he anticipated it would be difficult communicating the changes to the public.

Speaking at the opening of the Personal Finance Society (PFS) Conference in Birmingham today, Webb gave a summary of the reforms the coalition government had made, including changes to the state pension.

Although he accepted paid-for advice would not be a suitable route for many people, he did explain the important role financial advisers would continue to have in the pensions landscape.

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Unions reject '15 minute' pension strike offer

Trades unions have rejected a government suggestion to hold a 15-minute symbolic strike instead of a day of industrial action over cuts to public sector pensions.

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude (pictured) told the Saturday Financial Times public sector workers would be allowed to keep their pay if they down tools for just 15 minutes on 30 November, instead of the whole day as planned.

Public sector workers are negotiating with government officials over proposed changes to their pensions, which will see them paying in more, receiving less, and working for longer.

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Parents would release £10K equity to help kids

Most parents and grandparents would be comfortable releasing up to £10,000 from their homes to help their offspring, research suggests.

A survey of 1,142 people conducted by the Equity Release Solicitors Alliance (ERSA) found one in seven respondents would release up to £10,000 for their children, and a quarter would consider releasing up to £20,000.

The most common uses of equity release for children and grandchildren were to help with house deposits, mortgage repayments, rent, or university fees.

To read more click HERE