An Independent Financial Adviser can recommend products from the whole of the market, rather than being tied to one provider's range. This means their advice isn't restricted by any commercial relationship with a particular company. The recommendation should be whichever product genuinely suits the client, wherever it sits in the market.
Every UK adviser must hold at least a Level 4 diploma in financial advice and be authorised by the FCA. You can check any firm or individual adviser on the FCA Register (register.fca.org.uk) A legitimate firm will have no issue with you doing this.
RowanTree Financial Planning offers an initial consultation at no cost, with no obligation to proceed. It's typically a two-way conversation. We will learn about your situation and goals, and you get a sense of how we work and whether we are a good fit.
This is really the "value of advice" question. Independent UK research consistently shows advised clients build more wealth over time and report greater confidence in their decisions than those who go it alone.
Since the Retail Distribution Review (2013), advisers can no longer be paid by product commission. Fees are typically either a fixed fee, hourly rate, or a percentage of assets under management. RowanTree Financial Planning will set this out clearly before any work begins.
Often beneficial for simplicity and cost, but it depends on the specific schemes. Some older pensions have valuable guarantees (e.g., guaranteed annuity rates) or protected tax free cash) that would be lost on transfer, so this always needs individual checking.
Drawdown offers flexibility and continued growth potential but carries investment and longevity risk; an annuity offers guaranteed income for life but less flexibility. Increasingly, people use a blend of both. An individual recommendation should be sought.
Yes, almost always. The earlier compounding starts, the less you need to contribute overall to reach the same target.
DB pensions offer valuable guaranteed income, and since 2018 the FCA requires anyone with a transfer value over £30,000 to take regulated advice before transferring, with the regulator's starting assumption being that transferring is not suitable for most people.
Yes! Without one, your estate is distributed under intestacy rules, which may not reflect your wishes and can create real complications for unmarried partners in particular.
This is a live and changing area. From April 2027, most unused pension funds will be brought into the value of your estate for IHT purposes for the first time, a significant change from current rules.
A will deals with what happens after death; an LPA deals with decisions made on your behalf while you're alive but unable to decide for yourself (financial or health/welfare). Most planners recommend having both.
Care costs vary depending on the type of care needed and aren't automatically covered by the state. If your assets are above a certain threshold, you may need to fund some or all of your own care. Planning ahead can help protect your savings and home from unnecessary erosion, whether through dedicated care funding products or wider financial planning.
Whether you are just starting out or looking to make the most of what you have built, we are here to help. Get in touch today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
