Our pension advice support is available for residents across Scotland. We refine our service to Scotland as advisors like to meet people face to face. A pension is too important to discuss solely over the phone – it’s your retirement, your lifestyle and your future.
Our support focuses on maximising your future, so you can lead the life you want in retirement.
Yes, advice on your pensions is free. Scottish Pension Advice will provide a friendly information gathering service and works together with our pension advisory company to deliver a free initial pension review service. While other people may charge for their advice, we don’t. We believe that advice from a qualified pensions advisor should be free.
If you decide you wish for our pension partner to act on your behalf and manage your pension then fees may apply, but your pension advisor can explain this in more detail. Your pension advisor will only act on your behalf and manage your pension if it’s evident that it’s in your best interest.
After the free initial review you can decide you don’t want an advisor to manage your pension and it’s completely your choice. There is no obligation to proceed.
Yes. Your advisor will have a recognised qualification in pensions advice and financial planning. They will also be registered and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Our primary company and pension advisors are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. All advisors undergo and maintain qualifications in pensions advice. The FCA register maintains a list of regulated firms and authorised advisors. You can see our list of advisors here.
Advisors like to meet you face to face. This is to better understand what you wish to achieve from your pension but also to ensure you’re receiving the correct advice. Advisors don’t visit everybody we speak to but where suitable and appropriate, we prefer to speak face to face.
Of course, you may feel more comfortable visiting us so you can see our business premises, meet our pension advisors and have a coffee / tea while discussing your pension and retirement plans. Please get in touch beforehand to arrange a meeting as we are regularly fully booked assisting other clients.
There are a number of pension advisors and yours will be with you throughout your process. They will conduct your review and present their findings.
Qualified pension advisors that work alongside a team of administrators, but whoever your advisor is will have years of experience, will be friendly and knowledgeable so they can advise you on your options.
There’s been a lot of information in the press about transferring out of a final salary pension scheme (also known as a defined benefit scheme). It’s not always the best advice to transfer and it’s important you weigh up the positives and negatives before you take action.
Honest and transparent advice is important and that’s what you will receive.
Don’t worry – we can help. Many people have multiple jobs in their lifetime and remembering, or finding the paperwork, for various pensions can be tricky. We’ll talk you through the process and help you as best we can.
On the 6th April 2015, it became possible to take 25% of your pension tax free. You must be 55 years of age or older. From 55, you can take as much of your pension as you want when you want, however it’s best to speak to our pension advisors as if you take over the threshold allowed you may be eligible to pay tax on your pension income.
If you’re in a final salary pension you may need to transfer your pension in order to receive the tax free allowance.
