Pension Transfer Overview
Acumen Financial Planning Ltd holds permission to advise on Pension Transfers and Opt-outs, and as such has a comprehensive procedure for doing so.
Due to the specialised nature of Pension Transfers, there are several additional requirements from our planning team when considering giving advice in this area. Acumen Financial Planning will not market or pursue business in this area, nor will we initiate discussions surrounding the transfer of a Defined Benefit scheme unless approached by an existing or prospective client.
It is important when first considering a transfer to note that it is not normally in the individual’s best interests.
Engaging in Business
Set out below are the points the firm will consider before agreeing to offer this service:
1) Business Considerations
- Clients’ total assets under management must be in excess of £250,000
- Transactional arrangements will not be considered, any advice offered will be part of an ongoing financial planning service
2) Client-Specific Considerations
- Must be within 3 years of planned access to pension funds
- Must have other secure income sources for retirement outside of the state pension provision
- Must demonstrate a minimal dependency on Defined Benefit scheme income in retirement therefore demonstrating a greater capacity for loss
- Must have a history evidencing competent money management experience
- Must be prepared to pay any charges for full analysis from a source other than their pension fund
3) Extenuating Circumstances Considerations
- Poor health and/or reduced life expectancy
- Financial hardship
- Any other circumstances that the Pension Committee deems to have a diminishing impact on the importance of the above points.
Responsibilities of the AFP Pension Committee
When a client makes an enquiry with regards to a Defined Benefit Scheme, the circumstances of the individual will be assessed against the above criteria. The Pension Committee must make sure that all the points are satisfied before proceeding to offer an Appropriate Pension Transfer Analysis (APTA) to the client. If there are extenuating circumstances taken into consideration, and the service is offered without all the Business and Client Specific Considerations being met, this must be documented clearly and fully within the Pension Committee meeting minutes in which it was discussed and agreed and the Pensions Register.
The authority to make a final decision to engage in this service in each individual case is held by the Directors, supported in their evaluation by the Pension Committee.
Declining to Proceed
Should the enquiring individual not meet the requirements of the firm and be declined on our principles by the Pension Committee or a Planner and Pension Transfer Specialist, a formal communication declining to offer a full Defined Benefit advice service will be sent.
Offering to Proceed
When an individual meets the firm’s requirements, this will be communicated informally by the client’s planner. The assigned Pension Transfer Specialist will then be introduced and the initial triage stage will begin.