Advisers need 'safe harbour' to carry out DB triage process, says Webb

'Huge variation in triage process'

Hannah Godfrey
clock • 2 min read

The FCA should provide a "safe harbour" for advisers to undertake early-stage conversations on defined benefit (DB) transfers that will not put them at regulatory risk, Royal London's Steve Webb has said.

In March, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a consultation paper on ‘improving the quality of pension transfer advice' and raised concerns the ‘triage' process - whereby advisers give an initial steer to clients about a pension transfer inquiry - could cross the boundary into regulated advice. The FCA is encouraging advisers to make sure any initial response is purely generic and educational, and not specific to the client's individual circumstances. Royal London director of policy Steve Webb, however, suggested the regulator's plans to tighten practice around triage cou...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Pensions

FCA/TPR value for money framework a 'key priority' for 2024/25

FCA/TPR value for money framework a 'key priority' for 2024/25

Regulatory duo first announced a plan for common measurements in 2022

Hope Coumbe
clock 10 May 2024 • 1 min read
NAO finds estimated cost of dashboards has risen £54m

NAO finds estimated cost of dashboards has risen £54m

'The DWP must learn lessons from what happened on this programme'

Holly Roach
clock 10 May 2024 • 3 min read
FCA urged to redesign pension dashboard rules to 'prioritise customers'

FCA urged to redesign pension dashboard rules to 'prioritise customers'

AJ Bell calls on regulator to redesign the rules

Isabel Baxter
clock 09 May 2024 • 2 min read