Friday, 31 August 2012 09:27
Scottish Widows unveils RDR charging structure
Scottish Widows, a sponsor of the Insitute of Financial Planning, has unveiled its RDR charging structures.
A new version of the Retirement Account will be available from November. For this account, the firm will introduce a new fixed monetary charge which can be paid through a fixed number of instalments, monthly or yearly on the charging date or on its own or in conjunction with a fund-based ongoing charge.
This charge will be in addition to the existing initial, fund-based and ad-hoc advice charges.
Advisers will be required to carry out a one-off exercise to convert trail commission where the consumer receives advice to top up their policy.
It will also launch a fully compliant onshore investment bond in September. This bond will not facilitate adviser charging as Scottish Widows believes adviser charging in the form of withdrawal from the bond is unlikely to be the best option for clients.
Additional features include help with Retail Mediation Activities Return (RMAR) reporting, enhanced online quotations and new 'client search' and reporting features.
Robert Kerr, head of distribution development, said: "Since 2010 we have been helping advisers prepare for the most significant regulatory change in the advice market for many years.
"The changes we are announcing today will help advisers highlight to consumers the value of advice they are providing in a way that is innovative, transparent and aligned to the goals of the RDR."
A new version of the Retirement Account will be available from November. For this account, the firm will introduce a new fixed monetary charge which can be paid through a fixed number of instalments, monthly or yearly on the charging date or on its own or in conjunction with a fund-based ongoing charge.
This charge will be in addition to the existing initial, fund-based and ad-hoc advice charges.
Advisers will be required to carry out a one-off exercise to convert trail commission where the consumer receives advice to top up their policy.
It will also launch a fully compliant onshore investment bond in September. This bond will not facilitate adviser charging as Scottish Widows believes adviser charging in the form of withdrawal from the bond is unlikely to be the best option for clients.
Additional features include help with Retail Mediation Activities Return (RMAR) reporting, enhanced online quotations and new 'client search' and reporting features.
Robert Kerr, head of distribution development, said: "Since 2010 we have been helping advisers prepare for the most significant regulatory change in the advice market for many years.
"The changes we are announcing today will help advisers highlight to consumers the value of advice they are providing in a way that is innovative, transparent and aligned to the goals of the RDR."
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