IFA Cheshire

mark61120

Does anyone have any personal recommendations for an IFA in (preferably) Mid-Cheshire. I need one that specialises in pensions.

Many thanks,
Mark

BLB53

I can recommend Lindsay Lockett who I found very helpful when I sorted out my own pension earlier this year.

dunstonh

I need one that specialises in pensions.

What exactly are you looking to do? An adviser with specialist qualifications in pensions will cost more than one that does not have it typically but most transactions do not need the specialist licence (main thing that needs a specialist pension qualification is occupational pension transfers). There are also qualifications like J04 (replaced with R04 recently) and J05. J04 is getting you to retirement and J05 is retirement options. These are more commonly held by advisers who would not call themselves specialists but are qualified above the default.

mania112

You're right, except someone without J04/R04 will not actually be considered an IFA, 3 weeks from now.

In terms of qualifications, you could consider a 'pension transfer specialist' who will have passed the higher level pension paper - which i believe is AFx

dunstonh

You're right, except someone without J04/R04 will not actually be considered an IFA, 3 weeks from now.

J04 and/or J05 are at the same level as the R0x exams but are much more detailed and in depth on that subject than the R04 version. It is a bit of a joke that they can class J05 as being on the same level as R04. R04 was a doddle. J05 and J04 required study.

AF3 is a good exam to have but the vast majority of its content would never be put to use with the average client.

GhIFA

mania112 wrote: »

You're right, except someone without J04/R04 will not actually be considered an IFA, 3 weeks from now.

In terms of qualifications, you could consider a 'pension transfer specialist' who will have passed the higher level pension paper - which i believe is AFx

Not quite Mania -Held in isolation, then these exams wouldn't be enough for someone to remain an IFA. However J0 and R0 qualifications meet the requirements for the QCF Level 4 qualification standard that will enable an adviser (alongside any required gapfill study) to obtain a Statement of Professional Standing which allows them to retain their status once RDR comes into force.

The J0 exams, as DunstonH says, are more detailed than the R0 (which were introduced specifically for RDR preparation). The relevant R0 pension paper (R04) covers both pension funding and retirement options, which is broken down into two J0 units. J0 units were based on 3 hour written exams, R0 on 2 hour computer based exam using multiple choice questions.

Whilst an IFA could obtain the necessary points to achieve QCF4 through other J0 or R0 units, without sitting these ones, you would expect any IFA worth their salt to have gained them.

mark61120

Well, thank you for totally confusing things...;o)

I need to take my 25% and then give my ex her pension transfer and then obviously need advice as to what to do with the remainder.
I am 57.

So, any recommendations?

richardg_ifa

You'll probably need to get the pension sharing sorted first before you'll be able to access your own benefits.

No ideas on IFAs in Cheshire - have a look at unbiased.co.uk

dunstonh

mark61120 wrote: »

Well, thank you for totally confusing things...;o)

I need to take my 25% and then give my ex her pension transfer and then obviously need advice as to what to do with the remainder.
I am 57.

So, any recommendations?

It it is a personal pension then it doesnt require a pension specialist. Most IFAs could do that sort of thing with their eyes closed. If its an occupational pension then it would require one that has certain qualifications.

If a pension sharing order is being done then any IFA is likely to be able to handle it irrespective of type of pension.

jamesd

Just about any IFA should be able to handle those things unless a defined benefit (final salary or similar) pension is involved. The key to look for is how they consider your risk tolerance and ability to deal with losses and which investments they use to do that.

mark61120

Thanks everyone.
Not a final salary, so that is ok.

Richardg-ifa. If I sorted the pension sharing first, that would reduce the amount that I could get as my 25%.