This is a generic term used to describe a switch from one investment to another. This could be an investment fund switch, an investment policy switch or a pension switch.
When it comes to pensions however, advisers can get confused between what constitutes a pension switch and what is a pension transfer.
To clarify therefore, a pension switch is where a retail client is transferring benefits from a personal pension or stakeholder pension scheme (where there has been no previous transfer from a defined benefits scheme) to another personal pension or stakeholder pension scheme.
There is no specific qualification requirement for advisers advising on pension switches.
FCA guidance can be accessed here
http://www.fca.org.uk/firms/financial-services-products/investments/pension-switching
Suitability reports must contain sufficient detail to justify any switch, including alternatives, disadvantages, risks, costs and charges.
(Now read ‘T’).
Papers galore!
Huw Reynolds Compliance 2021, Certification, Conduct, COVID-19, FCA, Gabriel, Pension, platform, protection, Senior Manager, SM&CR, Switch, transfer
It has been a busy month for papers and publications at the FCA. These include: New Consumer Duty CP The FCA is consulting on plans to introduce a new Consumer Duty, which aims to set a higher level of consumer protection in retail financial markets. The Duty will have 3 key elements: A new Principle – the […]