The FCA has made the following announcement.
“This morning we have announced that we are using emergency powers to prevent certain financial advice firms, who advised members of the British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS), from disposing of assets to avoid paying compensation. This follows our previous announcement on proposals for a redress scheme for former BSPS members.
The temporary measures apply to firms that advised five or more BSPS members to transfer out of the pension scheme between 26 May 2016 and 29 March 2018 (subject to certain exclusions).
The requirements mean that in-scope firms have to report to us whether they can meet the potential cost of the BSPS redress liabilities. Firms will have to comply with the asset restriction rules until they confirm to us that they have sufficient resources to pay their potential redress bill. If a firm is subject to the asset restriction rules, it will not be able to undertake transactions that are not ‘in the ordinary course of business’.
If the BSPS proposed redress scheme is introduced, we may later consult on extending the asset retention rules until firms have paid all the compensation owed.”
Pension transfer advice – assessing transfer risk
Alistair MacDougall Compliance 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, DBAAT, Drawdown, FCA, Pension, Pension Transfer, PI, transfer
It has been well publicised that the FCA has aimed increasingly close scrutiny in the direction of firms that have been providing advice in relation to defined benefit pension transfers. Apparently caught off guard by the then Chancellor’s introduction in the Pension Schemes Act 2015 of what are generally called ‘pension freedoms’, the regulator has […]