SSAS remains buoyant, but be careful who you partner with warns Talbot and Muir

Talbot and Muir, the independent small self administered scheme (SSAS) and self invested personal pension (SIPP) specialist, has highlighted the dangers of SSAS administrators changing their proposition and fees for clients. With SSAS remaining a growing area, it was a source of debate at this week’s PFS Conference ‘A Festival of Financial Planning’ in Birmingham.

SSAS has been under the spotlight for the past couple of years, it has been perceived as the less regulated relation of SIPPs but although not regulated by the FCA, they still have obligations to fulfil to HMRC and The Pensions Regulator. If these obligations are not fulfilled correctly, the SSAS can receive large fines and possible de-registration of the scheme.

David Bonnywell, Director, Talbot and Muir said: “The PFS conference was a coming together of many in the sector and one area that we were asked about more than any other was SSAS. In recent months a number of administrators have raised fees and changed their propositions, reducing investment flexibility to focus on their SIPP proposition.  This is a real worry for advisers as they may not use SSAS every day, but they are a very flexible planning tool, especially where a small family run business is involved.

“The advisers we spoke to and deal with regularly want to ensure that following the removal of the need to have a professional pensioneer trustee, the schemes they advise are well run by the administrators and meet all the regulatory requirements. We offer a free review service for advisers, initially conducted remotely but if required, a face-to-face consultation may be available.”

For further information on Talbot and Muir please visit the website at https://www.talbotmuir.co.uk

Contacts

Louise Dolan, Partner, Camarco

Tel: 020 3757 4982 / 07446 870025