POUND NOTES

PENSION FREEDOMS BRING OPTIMISM FOR RETIREES

NEARLY two thirds (64%) of people who retired since April 2015, when the pension freedoms were launched, say stopping work has opened up new opportunities, with one-in-five (20%) having decided to learn new skills and more than half (55%) devoting more time to their hobbies.

Those who retired since the pension freedoms, which give people more choice over how they use their pension cash, are being more adventurous with their holidays, according to the survey from LV=.

Nearly half (46%) are holidaying in places they have never been to before, compared to 39% of people who retired before the freedoms were introduced.

2017 POPPY APPEAL TO ACCEPT CONTACTLESS CARD DONATIONS

THIS year’s Poppy Appeal will give you the chance to donate via contactless card, alongside cash. The Royal British Legion, in partnership with card payment services provider Cardnet, is piloting the scheme with 200 mobile donation terminals across the UK.

The terminals, featuring the familiar Poppy design, will have three pre-set donation levels of £2, £3 and £5 enabling donors to quickly and securely make their donation for the traditional poppy, pictured, or for a lapel pin.

Tony Nash, Lloyds Bank Cardnet MD, says: “We’re really proud to be supporting the legion and hope this pilot will lead to a hugely successful 2017 Appeal.”

‘DARKER NIGHTS CAN PROMPT BURGLARIES’, HOME OWNERS WARNED

CLAIMS relating to home thefts increase by over a third (36%) in the five months after the clocks go back, according to analysis by an insurer.

More than two-thirds (69%) of these break-ins are “forcible and violent entry” thefts, Co-op Insurance found.

Caroline Hunter, head of home insurance at the Co-op says: “Unfortunately, when the clocks go back, darker nights do lead to more burglaries and so we’re urging people to be vigilant and think carefully about the safety of their properties.”