I need to find an IFA

dunstonh

metrobus wrote: »

Just be careful 90% are just salesmen pushing whatever gives them the highest comm.

Thats why the OP wants to see an IFA and not a sales person.

Aegis

metrobus wrote: »

Just be careful 90% are just salesmen pushing whatever gives them the highest comm.

No they aren't. IFAs are just about the biggest referrers to NS&I (offers nil commission, for your information), and will generally advise on unit trusts and OEICs at a discount to their maximum commission levels within ISAs and pensions rather than, say, an investment bond at maximum commission of around 7%.

Honestly, what you've said here and in another thread just seems like slander rather than a reasoned viewpoint.

purplelavender

The stocks and shares ISAs i have were set up with a financial advisor who helped me with my finances during my divorce. He also got me to start paying into a pension, however he works for St James Place and is therefore not independent - am I right? I want to know if my savings are in the right place and if my pension is the best for me and whether I should pay in more - this is why I feel I need some advice.

Aegis

purplelavender wrote: »

The stocks and shares ISAs i have were set up with a financial advisor who helped me with my finances during my divorce. He also got me to start paying into a pension, however he works for St James Place and is therefore not independent - am I right? I want to know if my savings are in the right place and if my pension is the best for me and whether I should pay in more - this is why I feel I need some advice.

You are correct. SJP are tied advisers typically operating on pretty high commission levels. You'll actually be able to find independent advisers out there who can offer you better deals, unless SJP have cut their charges since I last looked into them.

EdInvestor

purplelavender wrote: »

The house is in my name and there are no debts on it or the business. The business trades under VAT but we just about manage to live on it but do get bit of Working Tax Credit. Savings in my name are Stocks and Shares ISAs

It seems it's also you who pays into the pension?

RE pension forecast - got figure for Basic and Additional Pension. I have 37 qualifying years and will retire 2021. I am divorced and this forecast has not taken my ex into account - would I be any better off doing this?

You have more than enough years for a full basic pension in your own right so your ex's conts won't be taken into account.

Do you have any information about your partner's retirement position?