Contact

News & Insights

ABI and FCA Highlight Pensions Advice Shortfall

More recently, the ABI revealed their research** showing only one-third of retirement savers who are utilising new pension freedoms in order to access their pension savings are taking independent financial advice before doing so. This should be a cause for significant concern as, alongside real estate property, a pension is often the most valuable asset owned by the over 55s.

In an official ABI press release, the organisation’s Director of Long-Terms Savings Policy, Yvonne Braun, commented, “Pension freedoms gave consumers many more options and flexibility in their retirement, but with greater choice comes greater risks. To see levels of advice hitting new lows is disturbing and risks leaving thousands of elderly consumers facing poverty later on in their retirement.” ***

Braun went on to say that new problems require new solutions, and the ABI sees the empowerment of consumers to make the right decisions as a priority. Hence, the ABI has published two documents focused on raising awareness: awareness of pre-retirement risk warnings at certain ages and communication techniques for employers and pension providers

Saving on financial advice likely to prove a false economy

The ABI found that around 62,000 savers withdrew cash (via drawdown) from their pensions for the first time during a six-month period in 2018; however, given that 34%** did this without taking any financial advice many of these consumers could unwittingly be jeopardising their retirement plans.

It is thought that a large proportion of pension savers forego advice because of a perception that it might prove prohibitively costly. This is likely to prove a false economy. The ABI reports that the average pension pot size reached a record high last year of £120,000**; if savers are to ensure they have sufficient cash flow in retirement, they are likely to be best-served by ensuring they have the guidance of a regulated and independent financial adviser in relation to the management of their pension fund.

Blacktower Financial Management, for Expat Retirement Transfers

Blacktower Financial Management works for its expat clients from offices right across Europe, including in Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands.

Our advisers can help with the full spectrum of cross-border wealth management concerns, including pensions. If you would like to consider the possibility of an expat retirement transfer and to evaluate whether a QROPS or SIPP is suitable for your circumstances, contact us today for more information.

 

* FCA FAMR interim consumer research report https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/research/famr-interim-consumer-research-report-2018.pdf Accessed 14-06-19

**Analysis based on ABI six-monthly retirement income data collected from members.

*** https://www.abi.org.uk/news/news-articles/2019/05/tens-of-thousands-entering-retirement-without-ever-taking-advice-each-year-abi-warns/ Accessed 14/06/19

This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, investment recommendations or investment research. You should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this communication is correct, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions.

Other News

Expat financial management should be part of EU debate

BrexitExpat wealth management concerns could play a major part in the Brexit debate over the next few months as the estimated two million UK nationals living abroad in the European Union consider their pension and healthcare entitlements.

As it stands, British expats living in the European Economic Area who possess a European Health Insurance Card (Ehic) are entitled to healthcare in their country of residence; however, if the UK decides to leave the EU, they may have to purchase private health insurance or find alternative ways to fund private treatment.

Read More

In the Absence of the Investing Golden Goose Play the Long Game

CoinsOn many occasions, lay investors have a tendency to confuse banking and property revenues as useful gauges of the overall strength of the investment economy. But, however healthy (or unhealthy) these two sectors appear, this should not be allowed to cloud the investment opportunity available to you via your expat financial services manager.

This is why we should not be overly concerned that returns in banking investments currently sit below historical averages – what this potentially marks is simply the residual impact of the 2008 financial crisis and the fact that banking and the wider investment economy have evolved with the advent of new and disruptive players in the finance sector.

For example, a new piece of research by Accenture showed that in 2005 there were 24,000 firms operating in the worldwide banking industry; today this stands at around 15,000. But this alone cannot be seen as a true reflection of the current climate because during the same period we have witnessed the dawn of 600 FinTech firms, 1,900 payment institutions, 700 new banks, and 400 subsidiaries of existing banks – there has also been some consolidation in the area.

Read More

Select your country

Please select your country of residence so we can provide you with the most relevant information:

You are currently viewing the Blacktower Financial Management EU website.

You may be looking for the Blacktower United States website.

Blacktower United States > X Stay on this site

Or choose your country.