23/05/2011 by Geoff.

The new rules applying from 6 April 2011 are now known, with flexibility being the name of the game.Annuity rates are very low at present, with no signs of that changing, and the new rules will allow you to draw income from your pension fund without having to buy an annuity. If you have a secured pension income of at least £20,000 a year you will even be able to access 100% of your pension fund if you wish (with an income tax charge on it of course) and the options in your particular circumstances need to be reviewed.

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23/05/2011 by Geoff.

Appeals from tribunal decisions are tricky. The Employment Appeal Tribunal is not interested in appeals where you say the tribunal believed the other side instead of you. The only basis on which you can appeal a tribunal decision is showing that it made an error stating or applying the law.Sometimes you need detailed legal advice before deciding whether to invest more money and time into challenging a tribunal decision. The Employment Appeal Tribunal allows 42 days for an appeal, and will hardly ever extend this deadline, even if a party is not legally represented.

It is therefore important to lodge an appeal and the accompanying documents within the time limit to protect the position, even if it has not yet been possible to get full legal advice on whether to lodge an appeal.

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