Best Pension Advice UK: 10 Expert Companies to Secure Your Retirement

*This is a collaborative post.

Pensions aren’t the most exciting topic, but they are also something that you cannot ignore. Without a good pension prepared for you when you retire, you may struggle to get by from week to week (or may decide that you cannot afford to retire). 

Retirement funds come in all shapes and sizes and they can be quite confusing to navigate. Getting professional advice is recommended to guide you through the perks and pitfalls of different nest egg strategies. It may even be needed simply to access your pension. But who should you trust when seeking out advice? This post compares 10 top pension advice companies throughout the UK that could be worth checking out. 

When should you consider pension advice?

First, let’s consider when you may need pension advice. There are a few key times when it could come in use:

• You’re thinking of accessing your pension
• You’ve become self-employed and want to set up a pension
• You want to boost your pension
• You want to transfer your pension
• You want to consolidate multiple pensions into one pot
• You’re considering buying an annuity
• You’re doing estate planning

Getting advice is worthwhile in all of these instances to ensure that you make the right decisions. Many people don’t start thinking about all of this until the age of 50, but you can start planning your pension at any age. 

How to choose a pension advisor?

When choosing a trusted advisor, first make sure that they are FCA-regulated. There are sadly lots of pension scams out there – don’t fall victim to door-to-door and cold-callling fraudsters claiming to be honest consultants. 

Next, consider looking at reviews and ratings. The best advisors will have mostly positive reviews. If there are a few negative reviews, check that they are not all the most recent reviews.

It’s also worth noting that the cost and fee structure of pension advice can vary massively. Some services charge a flat rate, while others charge by the hour. There is also free advice available out there. 

The 10 best pension advice companies in the UK

#1) Axis Financial Consultants

Thinking of retiring abroad somewhere in Europe? Or perhaps you’re already an expat? Axis Financial Consultants specialise in providing advice surrounding pension transfers and tax queries for Brits retiring or working in other countries. Whether you need advice on SIPPs or or have questions regarding French tax inheritance laws, these guys are likely your best choice. They’ve been operating for over 30 years and have a great team of experts on hand.

#2) Quilter

Previously the wealth management arm of Old Mutual Plc, Quilter separated and rebranded in 2018. They are a multi-national financial planning company that offer comprehensive pension advice. They can help with choosing investment solutions or inheritance tax planning. You’ll also get access to a hi-tech real-time pension tracking tool so that you can keep a constant eye on your retirement funds. 

#3) Charles Stanley Group

Charles Stanley & Co has been around for a while (they were first established in 1792!). They’ve built up a reputation as one of the UK’s most trusted wealth management firms and they are known for their personalized approach to dealing with each client. Pension advice is one of several services they offer – you can talk to them about everything from SIPPs to pension trustees. 

#4) St James’s Place

Renowned for their face-to-face approach, St James’s Place  (SJP) is a well-regarded wealth management service that connects clients to their network of ‘partners’ rather than using in-house advisors. They are a popular choice for pension advice, serving thousands of clients across their country. Just bear in mind that they do not offer the limitless selection of investment options that other companies offer, instead pointing clients towards a curated selection of funds.

#5) Wren Sterling Financial Planning

Praised for their transparency and dedication to ethical investing, Wren Sterling Financial Planning is another popular UK service for those seeking retirement advice. They specialise in pension transfers, sustainable withdrawal strategies and forecasting. They also offer an array of other financial planning services that could potentially be worth exploring. 

#6) Aviva Financial Advice

Insurance giant Aviva also offers pension advice – albeit restricted to Aviva’s own financial products. If you’re already an Aviva customer, it may make sense to seek advice from them. Their integrated services like life insurance also help to provide added financial security. Their advisors are also highly knowledgeable and available through consultations online or over the phone. 

#7) Zedra Financial Advisors

For complex situations like cross-border pensions and tax optimisation, Zedra is a good choice. They’re a global wealth management firm that have a strong presence in the UK and they offer detailed and professional pension support. Their high-end feel attracts a lot of high-end clients – however, they do offer more basic services for those on a lower budget. 

#8) Unbiased.co.uk

Unbiased is not a traditional advice firm – instead they operate as a platform for connecting clients to independent financial advisors. Using this site can help simplify the search for a pension expert by helping to find an adviser catered to your needs. You can also easily compare reviews and fees of each advisor. As the name suggests, they’re one of the best resources to use for unbiased advice. 

#9) PensionBee

When it comes to consolidation, consider PensionBee. This mobile app helps users take multiple pension pots and turn them into one easy-to-manage pot, while offering advice on transfers and fees. You get to benefit from real-time tracking on your phone, giving you more control of your pension. The app has lots of positive reviews and no hidden charges, making it a good option for tech-savvy pension planners. 

#10) Pension Wise

Finally, there’s Pension Wise – the government’s free pension advice service. For general pension information such as demystifying certain terms, they are one of the best support options out there. They won’t tell you which products to use, but they’re ideal if you’re looking for unbiased neutral insights. You can book appointments online, over the phone or in person.