Lord Turner has spent three years looking at pension reform
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BBC Radio 4's Money Box was broadcast on Saturday, 3 December, 2005, at 1204 GMT.
The programme was repeated on Sunday, 4 December, 2005, at 2102 GMT
The long-awaited Turner report on Pensions was published on Wednesday after weeks of mounting speculation and political argument.
It proposes a gradual rise in the state pension age, to 66 by 2030, 67 by 2040, and 68 by 2050.
It recommends linking rises in the basic state pension to earnings, a controversial policy that Chancellor Gordon Brown is said to oppose.
And ultimately the report recommends that the Basic State Pension should be based on residency not contributions.
Money Box spoke to Lord Turner about his proposals in a special pensions programme on Thursday.
Savings scheme
One of the most interesting proposals made is for the establishment of a National Pension Savings Scheme (NPSS).
Under this scheme, all employees would be automatically enrolled in the NPSS if they were not already in a company scheme at least as good, but they will be able to opt out.
Individuals would contribute the equivalent of 4% of post-tax earnings, their company an additional 3%, and the government 1%, through tax relief.
To discuss the scheme and what effect it would have, we were joined by:
Stephen Alambritis, Federation of Small Businesses
Mona Patel, Investment Management Association
Tom McPhail, Hargreaves Lansdown
Trevor Matthews, Standard Life
Further information:
Home Information Packs
Sellers will have to compile information and complete a basic survey
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In just 18 months, Home Information Packs will become compulsory for everyone selling a property in England and Wales, the government said in November.
The Home Information Pack will include a home condition report to be written by a "home inspector".
But in order to meet the deadline, thousands of these new inspectors need to be trained.
And concerns are being raised as to whether enough inspectors will be trained on time, and how the profession will be regulated.
Money Box's Bob Howard has been investigating.
Further information:
O2 takeover bid
O2 is Europe's sixth-largest mobile phone operator
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There are just nine days left for telecoms company O2's shareholders to accept or decline the £18bn takeover offer from Telefonica.
But with time fast running out, Money Box has received a deluge of enquiries from some of O2's 800,000 small shareholders.
Many of them are confused by information they have received in the post.
We heard from two shareholders and asked Hilary Cook, Investment Strategy Director at Barclays Stockbrokers, for advice.
Telefonica shareholder helpline: 0800 1696946 (open 0900-1700 GMT Saturday, and until 2000 GMT weekdays)
Further information:
Pre-Budget Report 2005
The chancellor will unveil his financial plans on Monday
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Chancellor Gordon Brown will make his Pre-Budget Report to the Commons on Monday, when he will announce tax changes and give details of the economic background which will guide the 2006 budget.
How are you likely to be affected?
Paul Lewis asked Robert Chote, Director of the Institute For Fiscal Studies.
Further information:
Victory for fraud victims
Investor Jennifer Ellis (centre) had been leading a victim group
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Victims of a fraud carried out by an agent of the Halifax are to get their money back by Christmas, the bank has said.
Graham Price stole around £10m from the Halifax and over 80 investors during a four year period.
Some investors were taking legal advice after Halifax denied any responsibility for their losses.
But the bank now says it will "end the stress to investors" and "put right the wrong done by Price".
Further information:
Equitable drops directors claim
Equitable Life says the litigation has cost £45 million
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Troubled mutual insurer Equitable Life has abandoned its attempt to sue its former directors.
Its case against nine former directors has been withdrawn, and Equitable has said it will be contributing £10m to their legal costs.
Further information:
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Producer: Jessica Laugharne
Reporter: Bob Howard
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