MONEY MORSELS

Pension plea

OLDER workers should be able to collect a reduced- rate state pension three years early, experts say. Steven Cameron, pensions director at aegon, and campaigner Baroness Ros altmann have this week both called for a flexible retirement age to help those struggling in the pandemic. It comes after the state pension age rose to 66 this week.

Bitcoin ban

SALES of investments which track the price of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin will be banned from January. The Financial Conduct Authority says it considers these assets as ‘ill-suited’ for individual investors, but commercial banks will still be able to buy them.

Supplier folds

TONIk Energy has become the third supplier to go bust this year. The Birmingham-based company powered more than 130,000 homes. Rgulator Ofgem has promised customers will not lose connection or any money.

Put it on Freebay

FIRST-TIME eBay sellers are being offered the chance to try the site fee-free for up to three months. As of Friday, the online marketplace will not charge new sellers any ‘listing’ or ‘final value’ fees until they have sold at least 100 items in a month.

Bond bonanza

THE number of savers comparing and applying for one and two-year bonds surged by 125 pc, according to data firm Moneyfacts.

Experts say improved rates since the start of September have enticed customers with the average one-year bond rate rising from 0.65 pc to 0.71 pc.

Phone costs hike

POST Office phone customers face bill hikes of up to £42 a year. Anytime and Anytime Plus plans will increase by up to £3 a month from November 2 while some legacy packages will rise by up to £3.50 a month. If you’re not happy with the changes, you can leave without charge.

Freelance freefall

BRITaIN’s highest- earning freelancers have seen their earnings drop by more than 30 pc during the pandemic, according to trade body the association of Independent Professionals and the Self- Employed. Highly skilled workers saw quarterly earnings fall from an average of £22,742 at the start of the year to £15,709 by the end of June.

Last orders

CARD transactions fell by 16 pc on September 24 — the first day of the 10pm curfew that affects pubs, bars and restaurants. But the average value of transactions rose by 3 pc compared to the week before , suggesting that customers bought larger rounds, according to merchant service firm Paymentsense.