Investment & Pension Advice

linlin_3

How do I go about finding good, sound, financial advice from someone with a proven track record? I'm not experienced enough to be able to tell good from bad and I don't know of anyone who can make a recommendation. Apart from needing to make a substantial investment which I'm hoping will subsidise my pension, I also need pension fund advice. Getting good advice is pretty crucial, so I'm appreciate some feedback.

dunstonh

www.unbiased.co.uk is the UK database of IFAs. Tied agents and mulit-tied cannot be on that list so you eliminate them straight away (which is a good thing, if you hadnt realised).

You can post code search to find IFAs near you. Then you can eliminate the salesforce IFAs by looking for the 0845/0870/08xx or non local numbers. You can also check the address to see if they are really local or just a head office giving themselves an entry in your area. Ideally stick to a small local IFA firm as they rely on word of mouth to survive and trade. Salesforces do not. Ask them what their experience is with porfolio planning.

ReportInvestor

Alternatively you contact the MSE guru, dunstonh.

I personally think trust is more important than location - although regular personal contact can also build up trust.

Why not search dh's posts on MSE to see if you think you could trust him?

I've come across FAR worse .

joe13

A question for Dunstonh

As a very average guide - what should we expect to pay an IFA for advice on pension changes. For more info on what information we require please see my post titled 'advice please - company pension scheme to be wound up'.

Thank you for any assistance you can offer

dunstonh

£100-£150 per hour depending on your region. Cities, such as London, tend to be higher. It would also depend on what sort of business model they run but the £1xx per hour would be about right. You may be able to agree a fixed fee on something like this.