Pension Wise

The Financial Advice Market Review will examine how access to advice can be improved

Almost all advisers have received enquiries for retirement advice as a result of the government's pension freedom reforms, according to latest research by the Association of Professional Financial Advisers (APFA).

A persistent lack of awareness among consumers around spotting pension scams and finding financial advice has raised concerns about whether consumer education campaigns are working.

Fraudsters targeting pension pots in the wake of freedom and choice reforms are increasingly linking their efforts to investment scams such as fine wines and overseas property, Citizens Advice has warned.

Controversy over a widening gulf between those who need financial advice and those who can actually afford to pay for it has been branded "not advisers' problem" by industry veteran Geoff Mills.

The number of face-to-face and over-the-phone guidance sessions provided by the government-backed service Pension Wise has reached almost 18,000 since its launch in April.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has for the first time distinguished between advice and guidance in the way it records complaints.

How many consumers know - or would believe anyway - that the financial benefits of regulated advice can more than offset its cost? Robert Cochran examines some of the key issues surrounding the 'advice gap'...

Members of the work and pensions select committee are to launch an inquiry into advice and guidance available to retirees following pensions freedom to ensure people are not "ripped off" when accessing their pots.

The government is extending access to its 'free and impartial' retirement guidance service Pension Wise to those aged 50 and above.