Pensions call

New benefits for people with personal pensions should be extended to those in occupational schemes, Labour's City spokesman, Alistair Darling, told the Commons last night.

Addressing the committee stage of the Finance Bill, Mr Darling said that Budget provisions which would allow personal pension plan holders to defer buying an annuity with their funds after retirement if rates proved unattractive should be extended to occupational schemes to prevent a forced exodus from them.