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.



Abridged advice – how is it going so far?
Alistair MacDougall Compliance 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021, abridged, Drawdown, FCA, Pension, Pension Transfer, PI, transfer
Based on data and live visits to firms during the period from April 2015 to rule changes in 2018 and 2020, the FCA believed that far too high a proportion of clients were being recommended to transfer safeguarded benefits. This was predicated on the longstanding rule which stated: “… a firm should start by assuming […]