Find an Independent or Restricted Financial Adviser

A financial adviser (IFA and restricted) can help you with many of life’s big financial decisions, such as: 

• Accessing your pensions  

• Choosing how to take your pension income  

• Investing for the medium or long term  

• Protecting your family finances 

• General wealth management

• Finding life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection 

• Starting a business  

• Setting up and managing a personal pension  

• Funding long-term care for yourself or a loved one  

• Leaving an inheritance while minimising tax 

Your financial adviser will assess your whole financial situation and give you unbiased advice on the options available to you. They will also source financial products for you, independently of product providers, so you can choose the most suitable ones from the whole of the market. Finally, they will handle all the necessary administration, to save you time and hassle.

Financial advisers often charge between 1% and 2% of the asset in question (e.g. a pension pot), with lower percentages being charged for larger assets.

Your adviser’s fees will be based on many things: what advice you need, how much time it will take, and the size of the assets involved.

Financial advisers in London often charge higher fees because their operating costs, such as office space, staffing, and professional services, are significantly higher than in other parts of the UK.

Your first contact with your financial adviser will probably be on the phone – and it’s a good opportunity to clarify the details about what you need and to get the best out of your session so that neither of you waste your time.
 
Before you do anything else, ask your adviser to tell you the name of their firm, and check that it’s the one named in the email you’ve received from Unbiased. This ensures it’s not a cold caller and is the FCA-regulated firm that Unbiased has found for you.
 
Once you’ve confirmed the adviser’s identity, give a quick recap of your reasons for wanting to speak to them. The adviser will then tell you whether or not they can help, and you can arrange a mutually convenient time and place to meet. Many advisers will agree to come and see you at your home or workplace.

Until 2015, most financial qualifications were assessed under the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF), which was replaced by the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). 

While there are many routes to becoming a financial adviser, such as studying at university or an apprenticeship, an adviser must have a qualification recognised and approved by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). 

At a minimum, they must have completed a Level 4 diploma for financial advisers. This is essential, as it signifies that the adviser meets the FCA’s minimum qualification standard for giving professional advice. 

All financial advisers available via Unbiased are regulated by the FCA, so you have peace of mind when getting any advice.

Independent advisers can recommend financial products spanning the whole of the market. This means their advice is unrestricted. 

Restricted advisers can only recommend products from certain providers or may be restricted in the types of products they offer, or both. 

The main difference between financial advisers and wealth managers is the type of client they typically work with. Financial advisers take on clients from a broad spectrum of income levels and financial needs, while wealth managers work exclusively with clients with a higher net worth.

So, if you are wondering if you need a financial adviser or wealth manager, start by assessing what kind of client demographic you fit into. There’s no official definition of what constitutes 'high net worth' but it’s often considered to be individuals with investable wealth worth £1 million or more.

Both roles will be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and you can find financial advisers and wealth management firms on Unbiased.

While it's not compulsory to have a financial adviser for your pension, consulting one can be highly beneficial.

Pensions can be complex, and professional financial advice can help you navigate the options, maximise your retirement savings, reduce potential tax liabilities, and plan effectively for your future.

Most of us only get one shot at planning for our retirement, and it’s not simple or easy – which is why pension financial advice can be so crucial in getting it right.

Find out if you're saving enough and discover ways to boost your pension with our free and easy to use pension calculator.

Unbiased is the place to find advisers you can trust. Our site offers one of the easiest and quickest ways to find the right professional for you. Every professional is appropriately regulated, qualified and independent of product providers, so you can be sure of finding unbiased advice.  

Our smart system can match an available professional to your requirements, so there’s no time-consuming shopping around. Alternatively, you can browse a list of local professionals and filter them to suit your preferences.