Adviser platform Aberdeen Adviser has published a new technical guide designed to help Financial Planners and advisers navigate the growing complexity of pension consolidation and its impact on client outcomes.
The firm claims it provides practical technical insight to help Planners and advisers assess suitability, manage risk, and make informed decisions in one of the most consequential areas of Financial Planning.
Andrew Zanelli, head of technical engagement at Aberdeen Adviser, said: “Pension consolidation is no longer just a tidy-up task. It has become one of the most technically demanding areas of Financial Planning. Advisers need to combine judgement, technical knowledge, and a clear understanding of their clients’ broader objectives.”
He said consolidation can enhance control, flexibility, and clarity if done well. “Done poorly, it can remove valuable guarantees and reduce options at critical stages of a client’s life. Our guide is designed to support that process, helping advisers make decisions that genuinely improve outcomes, strengthen client relationships, and manage regulatory risk.”
The pension consolidation guide covers critical areas including:
• Identifying and assessing existing pension features, including safeguarded and protected benefits
• Understanding the impact of consolidation on retirement income, tax, and flexibility
• Evaluating death benefit structures and beneficiary outcomes
• Managing suitability and regulatory risk through structured analysis and documentation
• Supporting client understanding by clearly explaining advantages, disadvantages, and trade-offs
Mr Zanelli said changes to pension legislation, retirement options, death benefit rules, and the rise of flexible drawdown mean consolidation decisions can materially affect long-term client outcomes. The return of complexity has made Financial Planning non-negotiable, he said.
He added: “With pensions increasingly intersecting with inheritance tax planning, advisers must navigate an environment where transactional guidance alone is no longer sufficient. Holistic, ongoing advice is essential, supported by platforms that can handle complex tax, trust, retirement, and legacy decisions over time.”
The guide is available on Aberdeen Adviser’s Techzone resource hub.