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Wednesday, 15 August 2012 09:49
Skandia enables adviser charging on life product range
Skandia has updated its Life business range to enable adviser charging post-RDR.
The key Skandia Life products will be developed to use adviser charging and new business will be directed through the Skandia personal pension, buyout bond and drawdown contract.
Any older products from pre-April 2001 will either be closed or remain open for top-up business but without facilitiating adviser charging.
The Skandia maximum investment plan will close to new business due to changes in the 2012 Budget which limited the tax advantages that were available with this product.
The Skandia Life bond range has already closed to new business but will continue to accept top-ups. Adviser charging will not be used on top-ups due to low demand and the fact the adviser charge would count towards the tax-free five per cent withdrawal limit.
Where Skandia no longer pays initial commission, the customer will benefit from a reduced up-front charge or increased allocation rate.
The firm said advisers did not need to take any action, they would only need to complete an adviser charging form when a client requested a top-up.
Adrian Walker, Skandia's pension expert, said: "Advisers now know what to expect from Skandia, whether through our platform or through Skandia Life.
"We remain committed to our Skandia Life business range and are ensuring that the products most in demand from our advisers will be fit for business come R-Day. We have focused our resources to ensure we meet the expectations of advisers and customers."
The key Skandia Life products will be developed to use adviser charging and new business will be directed through the Skandia personal pension, buyout bond and drawdown contract.
Any older products from pre-April 2001 will either be closed or remain open for top-up business but without facilitiating adviser charging.
The Skandia maximum investment plan will close to new business due to changes in the 2012 Budget which limited the tax advantages that were available with this product.
The Skandia Life bond range has already closed to new business but will continue to accept top-ups. Adviser charging will not be used on top-ups due to low demand and the fact the adviser charge would count towards the tax-free five per cent withdrawal limit.
Where Skandia no longer pays initial commission, the customer will benefit from a reduced up-front charge or increased allocation rate.
The firm said advisers did not need to take any action, they would only need to complete an adviser charging form when a client requested a top-up.
Adrian Walker, Skandia's pension expert, said: "Advisers now know what to expect from Skandia, whether through our platform or through Skandia Life.
"We remain committed to our Skandia Life business range and are ensuring that the products most in demand from our advisers will be fit for business come R-Day. We have focused our resources to ensure we meet the expectations of advisers and customers."
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