Aviva

Can we learn from Australia's experience and avoid having to do a boomerang on freedoms?

Faced with more choice than ever before when investing for retirement, more and more people will increasingly rely on advisers to help them plan their pension options.

With the recent introduction of pension freedoms, you may have seen more clients wanting to take lump sums from their pension funds.

Insurer Aviva has vowed to drive up the number of products held by its customers following the integration of former rival Friends Life and launch of a direct to consumer service.

Friends Life is planning to transfer £24bn worth of segregated mandates from AXA Investment Managers to Aviva Investors, following its takeover by the latter's parent company at the end of last year.

Former Aviva chief executive Keith Jones has joined the board of Smith & Williamson as a non-executive director.

F&TRC has launched a ratings service to better assist advisers and employers navigate the workplace pensions market.

Friends Life, now part of the Aviva Group, has announced enhancements to its Protect+ income protection proposition, including improved guaranteed benefits.

Debt-laden network Sesame has been given access to a £45m bailout fund by its parents Aviva and Friends Life.

Why providers must rise to the John Lewis challenge