Defined benefit (DB) pension transfers have become much more popular over the last few years reflecting the advent of the pension freedoms and the temptingly generous transfer values on offer.
Firms offering transfer advice should be mindful of how they can reduce the risks of their advice being second guessed by the FCA or Financial Ombudsman Service (Fos) to acceptable levels. Based on recent work we have done for firms here are our top 10 tips for demonstrating that your DB pension transfer advice is suitable.
1) Manage client expectations at the outset
Sometimes it is evident from the files we review that a client sees the adviser’s role as a largely administrative process to tick the regulatory boxes and implement a decision they have already effectively taken. You need to show you have disabused the client of any such assumptions. You are an adviser, not an order taker, and this is a complex piece of advice. Before you take the case on, ask a few targeted questions to find out why the client wishes to transfer and to establish an outline of their financial circumstances and plans. If the case for transferring looks weak, turn it down – or at least warn the client there is a strong chance you will end up recommending against the transfer.
2) Contingent charging? Just say no
DB transfer advice involves unique risks and challenges, not least because many clients resent having to receive and pay for it in the first place. So it is essential that the way you are paid for your work does not put you under unnecessary pressure by creating conflicts of interest. Make it crystal clear to clients that they must pay for your advice, regardless of whether you recommend that they proceed with the transfer. If the client will not accept this, turn them away. No exceptions. It is fine to charge an implementation fee if you do end up facilitating the transfer, but this should not be a disproportionately large proportion of the total fee. In other words, make sure you charge enough for the advice and recommendation to allow you to walk away with an acceptable profit for your business if no transfer takes place.
3) Do not take on a race against short transfer value deadlines
