“The scourge of contingent charging” might not sound like vexing issue if you’re not in this business; but the stance of MPs and regulators could affect the future (and availability) of financial advice. Most advisers don’t charge an upfront fee for reviewing the transfer value of a final salary pension and their fee would be paid from the fund if it goes ahead; so it’s in the adviser’s financial interest to recommend you go ahead. The alternative is an upfront fee of around £2,000; with a 50/50 chance that you’ll be told to do nothing. Would you bother? And would you come and see me if the principle was extended to all financial advice? Or would you call Dr Google (aka Martin Lewis)?
“Why you should never retire”
On my 50th birthday, I will always remember, amongst the card or two I received was a letter from Saga’ who’d managed to find out my age through the wonder of the internet, and were pleased to tell me I now qualified to join my parents and go on holiday with them.
