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Are you saving enough?
Find out how much your lifestyle could cost when you retire and how to work out if your savings are on track.
Are you saving enough?5 questions to ask a financial adviser
If you decide to speak to a financial adviser, it’s important you choose one that’s right for you.
Here are 5 questions you might ask an adviser before you sign up to take their advice.
Who are you regulated by?
All UK Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) should be Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulated. If you use an FCA regulated adviser, you’ll be protected by UK law if anything goes wrong.
What are your qualifications?
By law, financial advisers must be qualified at a minimum QCF (Qualifications and Credit Framework) Level 4, or above. They also need to have an annual Statement of Professional Standing (SPS).
Some financial advisers may have additional qualifications, or they may have specialist knowledge in some areas. If an adviser has the right qualifications it’s a good sign that they’re legitimate, but you should still check that they’re FCA regulated.
How much do you charge for providing advice, and when do I pay?
Before they start working with you, financial advisers have a legal obligation to tell you how much they charge. Some might offer a free initial consultation, but they might then charge by the hour or a fixed fee. It depends on the service you want, but it should be agreed with you in advance.
What financial services do you offer?
It’s important your financial adviser is able to offer the help and advice you need. You could ask them about their knowledge, qualifications and experience in the areas where you need advice, for example retirement, transfers or investments.
Are you independent?
Advisers must also tell you what services they offer, including whether they’re an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA). To be called “independent” advisers must offer a range of products and providers from across the whole market, and offer impartial advice.
You can find a full list of questions you might ask a financial adviser, and more information on financial advice at moneyhelper.co.uk .
Matt Riley
Manager
Matt joined Zedra Governance Limited (formerly PTL) in January 2008 having previously worked for Mercer Limited, Hazell Carr and Prudential.
As a Manager for the company's Birmingham Office, Matt’s responsibilities include working closely with Client Directors and individually liaising with Employers, Trustees and Members to ensure the smooth running of their pension schemes. Matt’s current portfolio of clients covers ongoing, paid-up and winding-up schemes. In addition, Matt has experience of schemes that have transferred or are in the process of transferring to the Pension Protection Fund and Financial Assistance Scheme. Matt also works closely with clients in relation to risk registers and internal controls.
Matt particularly enjoys resolving issues in a fair and pragmatic way ensuring that the right result is reached for the member or employer.
Sam Burden
Client Director
Sam Burden joined Zedra Governance (formerly PTL) in 2022. He is an Accredited Professional Pension Trustee (AMAPPT) and an Associate of the Pensions Management Institute (APMI)
Sam has more than 25 years’ experience in the pensions industry gained with WTW, KPMG, and Standard Life working with a wide range of pension schemes and sponsoring employers. His trustee appointments include DB, DC and hybrid pension schemes and he has experience of handling a broad range of projects relating to the management of pension schemes.
Beyond his pensions experience Sam is a former Birmingham City Councillor where he chaired the audit committee and a current charity trustee.
Payam Kazemian
Client Director
Payam Kazemian joined Zedra Governance Limited (formerly PTL Governance Limited) in 2021. He is an Accredited Professional Pension Trustee (AMAPPT) and an Associate of the Pensions Management Institute (APMI).
Payam has more than 17 years of experience in the pensions industry. Through his current role as a professional trustee, as well as previously as a pension’s de-risking and investment structuring expert at financial institutions including Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank, he has had overall responsibility for creating investment, de-risking, journey planning, and governance solutions for a wide range of UK DB pension schemes. He currently holds a number of board positions (as Chair of Trustees) and sole trustee in his professional trustee capacity. Payam has been involved with a number of pensions projects including pensions buy-in, pensions buy-out, GMP equalisation, investment strategy reviews, and dialogue with the pensions regulator. Payam looks to create and believes in a collaborative relationship between the sponsor, the trustee, and all other parties involved as this results in best member outcomes and helps deliver pragmatic solutions for scheme. Aside from his pensions experience, Payam holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science from the University of Cambridge.
