 | BBC Radio 4's Money Box Saturday, 15th September 2012 at 1204 BST On Radio 4 and Online |
Money Box has learned that some banks are refusing to cancel payments to pay-day loan firms despite their legal obligation to do so. Customers are often advised to do this by debt charities so they can concentrate on paying priority debts. But three years after the Financial Services Authority issued its guidance, some banks are still saying some payments can't be cancelled. Bob Howard reports. The programme also hears from Mike Dailly, from the FSA's Consumer Panel join the programme. Related Links:
Income drawdown unfair If you want to keep your pension pot intact, you can choose to draw money down from it rather than buying an annuity. But the amount you can draw is based on the annuity a fit, single person could get. As annuity rates have fallen steeply over the past few years many people drawing income in retirement, like Money Box listener Tony Ellis, have seen the amount they can access each year fall by as much as a third. Tony has serious health problems and argues that he should be allowed to draw down more income. Are the income drawdown rules unfair to people with a reduced life expectancy? Pension experts Dr Ros Altmann, director general of Saga and Billy Burrows from the Better Retirement Group debate the issues. Related links:
Court orders HSBC to pay couple over £100,000 A couple who were mis-sold investments by HSBC have been awarded £112,000 after an HSBC adviser put the proceeds of selling their home in a risky investment. Adrian and Elisa Rubenstein were advised to invest more than one million pounds into the AIG Premier Access Bond's enhanced variable rate fund which they thought was not a risky investment. But the turmoil in the markets in 2008 led to a loss of £180,000 to the Rubensteins. HSBC says the product was appropriate for the circumstances in the investment market at the time the bond was taken out in 2005. Financial litigation specialist Robert Morfee at Clarke Willmott LLP, which took on the case for the Rubensteins, explains the importance of the case. Related links:
Universal Credit looms It's been described as the biggest shake-up in the welfare system for 60 years. And from October next year, the Universal Credit is being introduced - a new single payment for those looking for work or on a low income. It will replace all manner of benefits including income support, housing benefit, child tax credit and working tax credit. And it's supposed to make the benefits system easier and ensure it always pays to find a job. But how will it work and who will be affected? Phil Agulnik from the online benefits calculator, Entitled To, highlights some of the how detail and what problems may lie ahead. Related links:
BBC Radio 4's Money Box is broadcast on Saturday at 1204 BST.
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