LOOSE CHANGE

Sun Alliance has improved the terms of its pension plans for both new and recent (since January 1995) customers who along with the pension plan choose to take out waiver of contributions insurance. This will maintain their payments until retirement if they become unable to work as a result of sickness or accident.

Sun Alliance's definition of disability has been extended to pay premiums for policyholders who are unable to continue their existing career. The company has also been given permission by the Inland Revenue to index waived contributions, even if the policyholder had not opted for an indexed pension plan. The insurance usually adds about 3 per cent to the cost of a pension plan.

Bradford & Bingley Building Society has launched a new fixed-rate investment bond offering 7 per cent gross paid annually or 6.75 per cent paid monthly. The rates are fixed until November 1999 and the minimum investment is pounds 1,000.

Barclaycard holders who have access to the Internet can now use it to pay gas, electricity, phone and water bills.They can also apply for a Barclaycard's Gold Card with a minimum credit limit of pounds 2,500, and also redeem Profiles points. http://www.barclaycard.co.uk.

General Accident Direct's single-trip travel insurance is now available on the net on //www.ga.co.uk/gadirect.

Broker Hargreaves Lansdown is offering readers a free copy of its latest guide to shareholder perks, along with details of the forthcoming Thistle Hotels share flotation, which will offer founder shareholders 15 per cent off bills at any group hotel or restaurant. Call 0800-850661.