The FCA had previously decided against interfering with advisers' charging methods but in July changed its stance and proposed to ban contingent charging in all but a few pension transfer scenarios.
This was to reduce concerns about a conflict of interest in situations where an adviser would only be paid if they recommended a transfer.
Clive Harrison, partner at LCP, a consultancy firm which advises more than 40 per cent of the FTSE100 companies, agreed the current world of contingent charging isn’t working and “is resulting in significant losses for consumers”.
But he said a ban would mean some potential clients are put off transferring even if it was in their best interest, or be unable to find an adviser.
He said: “We support the consultation, but I do have concerns that the ban will severely restrict the availability of advisers and number of members taking advice.”
If the ban is introduced, the FCA estimates that those financial advisers that remain in the market are likely to be charging fees around £3,000 for this advice.
Mr Harrison said: “If a typical member was considering whether a transfer might be in their interest, it would seem unlikely they would be willing to commit to pay £3,000 unless they were confident a transfer might be suitable. Otherwise they might perceive taking advice as paying £3,000 to be told to do nothing.
“Therefore, it is likely only those members who are particularly keen to transfer, think that they are likely to be suitable and have sufficient disposable cash to pay the fees will generally take up advice. As a result, some members for whom a transfer might be suitable will lose out.”
In June, the regulator published the results of its survey of 3,015 firms between April 2015 and September 2018, concluding that too much of the advice on DB transfers it has seen was "still not of an acceptable standard".
It also voiced concern about the volumes of recommendations, with 69 per cent of clients having been recommended to transfer.
The watchdog found the average transfer advice value was £352,303, equivalent to a total value advised on of £82.8bn. This included both actual transfers and advice against it.
The FCA is concerned that firms are recommending that large numbers of consumers transfer out of their DB pension schemes, despite its stance that transfers are likely to be unsuitable for most clients.
Mr Harrison also noted that the new rules will also contribute to scheme trustees and sponsors appointing financial advisers to help their members make better retirement decisions and advise on all their different options, including a DB transfer.
FTAdviser reported last year that when a pension scheme appoints an IFA, the cost of advice can be cut by up to 75 per cent.
He said: “The firms that have been appointed typically charge a fixed setup cost to get to know the scheme and then less than £1,000 per member who takes advice. Sometimes this cost is paid for by the sponsor or scheme, sometimes by the member or sometimes shared.
“Not only are these firms operating on a non-contingent fee basis, but conflicts of interest are reduced further as those transfers that do proceed do not get invested in any of the financial adviser’s own funds.”
Mr Harrison noted that “given the likely impact of the FCA’s proposals on availability and affordability of financial advice, and strong industry calls for schemes to take a more active role in supporting their members in good decision making,” the trend for schemes providing an IFA will grow.
maria.espadinha@ft.com
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