A new Citizen's Pension, worth £100 a week and rising in line with earnings is at the centre of radical new proposals for pensions reform, published today by the National Association of Pension Funds.

In its policy paper "Pensions - Plain and Simple" the NAPF sets out a number of reforms which aim to boost incomes for the poorest pensioners, strip away complexity, encourage consumers to save more, remove barriers to workplace pension provision, and improve consumer understanding and protection.

Forum Response: National Association of Pension Funds

Peter Thompson, chairman of the NAPF, told ePolitix.com: "Today's pension system is weighed down by red tape, jargon and complexity. Because of this, too many of today's workers are put off thinking about pensions, storing up potentially massive problems for the future.

"The proposals we have published today tackle this problem head-on. They would replace the present over-complicated mix of State pension provision with a single, flat rate Citizen's Pension, payable to everyone, set at a high enough rate to help more pensioners out of poverty, and linked to rises in earnings rather than prices.

"This would be achieved at no extra cost to the public purse.

"Today's workers would then know exactly where they stand. They will also know that if they wish to enjoy a more comfortable income in retirement, they must make additional arrangements, either through the workplace or with a personal pension provider.

"With this one straightforward and affordable change, the whole picture becomes simpler. Not only are the various State pensions rolled into one, but the need for complex decisions over contracting in or out of the State scheme is removed, along with a forest of red tape.

"We have also set out a series of practical and affordable steps towards encouraging employers to offer - or to continue to offer - workplace pensions, and encouraging employees to make the most of them.

"And by boosting the security of those in workplace pensions, particularly those approaching retirement, these proposals will go a long way towards restoring consumers' faith in the pension system.

"These proposals are a well-thought out, costed and effective answer to many of the problems which threaten to push today's pension system into crisis. I hope the Government will use them in drawing up its own reform proposals to be published later this year."

Forum Response: Age Concern

Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, told ePolitix.com: "A hike in the basic state pension age could lead to a two-tier Britain where the least well off would be forced to work longer while those with adequate resources would retire early anyway.

"It is also vital to address the situation where one third of people aged between 50 and state pension age are not working, many for reasons of age discrimination.

"The NAPF's 'partial retirement' proposal, to give the option to continue working while drawing down part of a pension, would be a positive step towards giving more flexibility and choice in retirement.

"Age Concern has long argued for flexible retirement policies to be adopted in the workplace.

"We also look forward to hearing the Conservatives' new recommendations on saving for retirement tomorrow.

"It's encouraging to see that all political parties are beginning to see this issue as a top political priority, so let's hope we can move swiftly forward to developing sustainable and affordable pensions policies."

Forum Response: Help the Aged

Ben Harding, spokesman for Help the Aged, told ePolitix.com: "Help the Aged welcomes many of the proposals put forward in the NAPF report. The raising and simplification of the state pension, for instance, is something that we have long been arguing for."However, the proposed raising of the state pension qualification age is something of a red herring at present. There are many issues involved in the crisis in the pensions sector which need to be addressed now. Rather than speculating and juggling the lives of millions, who need to be convinced of the stability of the sector, issues like encouragement to save and making it worthwhile for older people to continue working ought to be the priority."