We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

IFA with pensions qualifications...

young_pensioner
young_pensioner Posts: 78 Forumite
in Pensions, annuities & retirement planning
Please can anyone tell me which qualification would be the best to look for when searching for an IFA to advise me on my personal pension options.

I looked on the "unbiased" website for someone locally, but they posed an option regarding suitable qualifications. Help... I haven't a clue!
Irene

Comments

  • dunstonh
    dunstonh Posts: 121,241 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Unless you are looking at occupational pension transfers then any IFA should be fine. If you have a larger fund, then an IFA with investment portfolio management would be desirable.

    Retirement planning/pensions itself requires nothing higher than FPC3 (or equiv). All IFAs must have this (or equiv) to be an IFA anyway.
    I am an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA). The comments I make are just my opinion and are for discussion purposes only. They are not financial advice and you should not treat them as such. If you feel an area discussed may be relevant to you, then please seek advice from an Independent Financial Adviser local to you.
  • young_pensioner
    young_pensioner Posts: 78 Forumite
    :) Thanks dunston. Thats just the kind of help I need. My fund is not that large, so I need all the help I can get!!
    Irene
  • dunstonh
    dunstonh Posts: 121,241 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    From little acorns.... ;)
    I am an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA). The comments I make are just my opinion and are for discussion purposes only. They are not financial advice and you should not treat them as such. If you feel an area discussed may be relevant to you, then please seek advice from an Independent Financial Adviser local to you.
  • Tahiti
    Tahiti Posts: 446 Forumite
    dunstonh wrote:
    From little acorns.... ;)

    Too right. G60 is the name of the higher level pension transfer qualification if you're worried.
  • dunstonh
    dunstonh Posts: 121,241 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Just looking at the IFA promotions website, best you dont put any qualifiation areas in. It will only display people with that particular qualification.

    For example, if you select G60, it will not show advisors with J04 or J05 which is the replacement to G60. Or on general qualifications if you pick an advisor with ACII you wont get any FPC3 advisors. Yet they are the same thing but using different examination classes. I think CFP is the replacement to FPC3 now. Blimey its confusing ;)
    I am an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA). The comments I make are just my opinion and are for discussion purposes only. They are not financial advice and you should not treat them as such. If you feel an area discussed may be relevant to you, then please seek advice from an Independent Financial Adviser local to you.
  • young_pensioner
    young_pensioner Posts: 78 Forumite
    dunstonh wrote:
    For example, if you select G60, it will not show advisors with J04 or J05 which is the replacement to G60. Or on general qualifications if you pick an advisor with ACII you wont get any FPC3 advisors. Yet they are the same thing but using different examination classes. I think CFP is the replacement to FPC3 now. Blimey its confusing ;)

    I don't feel such a dimmo now that you agree that it's confusing. I really thought that perhaps I was having a 'blonde moment'!! (no disrespect to any other blondes.... well I used to be anyway). My other excuse is that I become a fully fledged pensioner at the end of the month. Perhaps I will need to change my ID name then!!
    Irene
This discussion has been closed.
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 354.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.3K Spending & Discounts
  • 247.2K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 603.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.4K Life & Family
  • 261.4K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.
Update Your Picture