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

IHT on pensions to cause 'operational complexity and risk' for providers

IHT on pensions to cause 'operational complexity and risk' for providers

Expected to lead to delays in payments to beneficiaries

Isabel Baxter
clock 31 January 2025 • 3 min read
DB transfer advice slows since FCA's 2020 crackdown

DB transfer advice slows since FCA's 2020 crackdown

Many firms have stopped offering DB advice, regulator finds

Isabel Baxter
clock 30 January 2025 • 2 min read
SSAS and divorce: Everything advisers need to know

SSAS and divorce: Everything advisers need to know

'It's estimated that only 4% of divorces include a pension'

Caitlin Southall
clock 30 January 2025 • 5 min read