Adviser (independent): Invicta Independent Financial Advisers, 1st Floor, Falcon Court, 73 College Road, Maidstone, ME15 6TF
Speed of response:
Time of call: 3.25pm. The call was answered after three rings. 5/5
Telephone manner:
Very friendly and helpful. 5/5
Relevant qualifications:
Chartered financial planner. 5/5
Payment method:
Payment varies. The adviser said that the shopper could opt for an agreed fee to be taken from the pension pot or pay a flat rate of £500. 5/5
Guidance given:
The adviser’s guidance was thorough. She said that the shopper’s employers were obliged to offer a workplace pension scheme by April 2017. The adviser asked the shopper the likely value of his monthly contributions. She suggested they get together to explore the shopper’s circumstances in greater depth. 4/5
Knowledge:
The adviser clearly knew her stuff. She correctly explained that larger employers will have to stage for auto-enrolment earlier.
4/5
Email/web presence:
heidi.tresadern@invictaifa.co.uk
www.invictaifa.co.uk 5/5
Verdict:
Very good. The adviser expressed genuine interest in the shopper’s circumstances and offered guidance in a friendly and engaging manner.
33/35
Adviser (independent): Apollo Pension & Investment Advisers, Hempstead Road, Hempstead, ME7 3QJ
Speed of response:
Time of call: 3.48pm The call was answered after two rings. 5/5
Telephone manner:
Professional. 5/5
Relevant qualifications:
Level four diploma. 5/5
Payment method:
A minimum fee of £800. 4/5
Guidance given:
Saying that all UK companies are legally required to offer a workplace pension scheme by April 2017, the adviser told the shopper that the firm he worked for would be staging next year. He advised the shopper to ask his employers when they plan to introduce a pension scheme before going solo. The adviser said that his firm’s minimum fee may prove too costly for the shopper. 3/5
Knowledge:
The adviser demonstrated up-to-date knowledge about auto-enrolment and the different staging dates. 4/5
Email/web presence:
The adviser did not want to give out his email address.
www.apolloifa.co.uk
3/5
Verdict:
The shopper appreciated the guidance he received, but felt that the adviser was dismissive of his enquiry.
29/35
Adviser (restricted whole of market ): Lighthouse Financial Advice, 7 Cagney Close, Wainscott, Rochester, ME3 8AY
Speed of response:
Time of call: 3.57pm. The call was answered after four rings. 5/5
Telephone manner:
Polite and helpful. 5/5
Relevant qualifications:
Level four diploma. 5/5
Payment method:
Payment varies. 4/5
Guidance given:
The adviser said that the shopper’s employers should be staging at some point next year. He added that by April 2018, employers will be require to contribute a minimum of 3 per cent into a workplace pension scheme. The adviser also explored the possibility of the shopper contributing to a workplace and private pension scheme simultaneously. 5/5
Knowledge:
The adviser was clearly well versed in pensions; AE in particular. 5/5
Email/web presence:
gary.pearson@lighthousefa.co.uk
www.lighthousefa.co.uk 5/5
Shopper’s choice:
Very good. The adviser came across very well, delivering detailed guidance in a friendly manner.
34/35
Provider: True Potential Investor
Speed of response:
Time of call: 4.10pm. The call was answered after 30 seconds. 5/5
Telephone manner:
Friendly yet professional. 5/5
Relevant qualifications:
The representative said she was not qualified to give financial advice. 0/5
Payment method:
Varying charges on different products. 5/5
Guidance given:
The representative directed the shopper to the website for detailed information on the different pension schemes that the provider offers. 3/5
Knowledge:
Hard to gauge. The representative gave little information on private pensions, admitting that she specialised in annuities. 3/5
Email/web presence:
www.tpinvestor.com/personal-pension
3/5
Verdict:
All right. The shopper appreciated that the representative was not in the best position to give detailed guidance on the topic.
24/35
