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’).
Financial Resilience Survey – General Insurance
Michael Senior Compliance FCA
The FCA Financial Resilience team has clarified the intention behind the data requested in their survey in relation to Question 2b. Question 2b, Please provide how much of your cash inflows advised in 2, is ‘contractually committed’. The online FAQ, gives the guidance … “We want to identify how much of your estimated cash inflow […]