The Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) has produced a factsheet for pension scheme providers but which will be of interest to advisory firms.
It aims to clarify two issues, namely:
- Whether certain types of pension benefits which contain a promise, including those with a guaranteed annuity rate (GAR), are safeguarded benefits;
- When the exception to the requirement to take independent advice for those with safeguarded benefits worth £30,000 or less applies.
You can access the factsheet here.



FCS Transitional Arrangements
Steve Bailey Compliance Update
As you will be aware the Financial Services Authority ceased to be and the Financial Conduct Authority took over the regulation of financial advice firms on 01 April 2013.
The FSA issued PS13/05 last week which includes updated rules and transition arrangements. The policy statement itself is 88 pages but the ‘appendix (3)’ that accompanies it is a mere 1990 pages so you must excuse us for not as yet absorbing every word. The document can be seen here.