XPS Pensions Group’s Transfer Value Index rose almost 3% from £238,800 at the end of December, to £245,800 at the end of January, reversing the trend of declines experienced in the last quarter of 2019. The movement was driven by a 0.3% fall in gilt yields over the month, which was partially offset by a smaller fall in inflation expectations.
XPS Pensions Group’s Transfer Activity Index recorded another increase in the number of transfers completed in January, to an annual equivalent of 1.03% of eligible members, up from 0.91% in December 2019.
In market news, the FCA continues to shine a spotlight on the standard of IFA advice for DB transfers. As outlined in their podcast on 6 January, the FCA stated that they had “stopped 24 of the 63 IFA firms we’ve assessed so far this year” from advising on DB transfers. On 21 January, the FCA issued a ‘Dear CEO’ letter to IFA firms to encourage them to review their advisory processes and practices, stating; “We have repeatedly made clear our expectations of financial advisers, as well as strengthening the rules around defined benefit (DB) pension transfer advice. Despite this, too much advice is still not of an acceptable standard.”
Helen Ross, Head of Member Options, XPS Pensions Group commented: “The marked increase in transfer activity is likely due to the elimination of some of the political uncertainty plaguing the markets over the last year, which may have been putting members off making big financial decisions. We are regularly asked whether there is any evidence of a surge in DB transfers as members try to beat a possible ban on contingent charging this year, but this is not strongly suggested by the numbers of members transferring from XPS administered schemes, but this may well materialise.
“Both the FCA’s podcast and the publication of the letter to IFA firms are interesting in terms of the strong wording used. The FCA states in the letter “We expect you to start from the assumption that a pension transfer is not likely to be suitable for your client” which mirrors TPR’s sentiment for DB trustees. I anticipate that we’ll see more of this positioning from the FCA going forward.”
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