Cradle Overseas Pensions Ltd is a leading UK FCA regulated financial advice firm, providing independent advice in the main on QROPS, QNUPS, International Pension Plans and UK pensions (including SIPPS).
Fully qualified to provide advice on transfers from all UK individual and occupational pension schemes, our global list of clients include expatriates and migrants residing in almost every corner of the world.
In the past five years (from 2016) we have increasingly specialised in pension transfers to Australia and New Zealand, as well has having a focus on Shell pensions which have grown through an organic referral network; and reviewing existing QROPS for policyholders worldwide.
As well as providing advice directly to clients, we also work with a range of professional introducers such as Independent Financial Advisers, Accountants and Solicitors. Our methodology and approach enables an introducer to work with us in a way that best suits their business and their clients.
It is important to understand that the Overseas Pensions market (including QROPS and QNUPS) attracts all types of advisers. Some are regulated in locations with strong regulatory oversight (where qualifications and expertise are essential), but many are based in countries where regulation is light or non-existent. The quality and cost of advice, as well as client protection, varies markedly.
FCA REGULATED SINCE 2010.
CHOOSING A UK PENSION TRANSFER ADVICE PARTNER IS A BIG DECISION, SO IT’S IMPORTANT THAT YOU KNOW WE’RE THE RIGHT FIT FOR YOU & YOUR NEEDS. HERE ARE SOME OF THE REASONS WHY OUR CLIENTS PICK US.
INTEGRITY
Initial consultations are complimentary and without obligation. We will not provide advice where we cannot evidence clear suitability for a transfer, or where any benefits come at too high a price. It is these principles of integrity that allow us to build successful and long-lasting relationships with our clients. We have clients with a range of different scenarios who are happy to talk with any prospective clients about their experiences.
SPECIALISTS
Cradle are ‘Pension Transfer Specialists’. To use this phrase in the UK means your adviser has a higher level of professional qualification. They must have the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning and either G60, AF3 or AF7 qualifications. These qualifications are known within the UK as some of the toughest in the profession. In addition to having these qualifications, the adviser must have the appropriate Professional Indemnity (PI) Insurance to conduct Defined Benefit advice.
TRANSPARENCY
END TO END
We are regulated in the UK and partner with advisers in Australia (regulated through ASIC) and New Zealand (regulated through FMA). As completely separate entities to Cradle, these advisers look at every transfer scenario independently and without bias. This methodology ensures that we offer a ‘best of breed’ end to end solution.
CONSUMER DUTY ALLIANCE
We’re delighted to share that we’ve become an Associate member of the Consumer Duty Alliance (CDA). This new affiliation also encompasses our prior commitment to the Financial Vulnerability Taskforce, which we continue to support and advocate for.
FINANCIAL VULNERABILITY CHARTER
Cradle is proud to join the Financial Vulnerability Charter, reinforcing our commitment to fair treatment for vulnerable clients. The newly formed Financial Vulnerability Taskforce aims to improve understanding and set best practices in the Personal Finance Sector.
FCA REGULATED
Pension transfers are a complex area of advice. For this reason, UK law dictates that if you wish to investigate a transfer out of a defined benefit or safeguarded benefit UK pension (values over £30,000) you must receive advice from a UK-regulated financial adviser (FCA).
DUE DILIGENCE
We do not advise on any pension schemes, investment platforms or managers that do not pass our rigorous due diligence process. Some pension schemes in the UK, including Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPP), are listed on the Origo System which means they have been through an industry level due diligence process. Transfers to pensions not on the Origo system are going to become increasingly more onerous to complete. We do not and will never advise on Unregulated funds.
CONSIDERED
A pension transfer is not a transaction-based service. Compliance aside, to maximise the benefits of your transfer, the strategy must be considered in the context of your circumstances. Cradle is committed to ensuring clients understand all the options that exist for them; and are able to make a fully informed decision.
EMPATHY
We often have clients comment that they’ve been told UK advice is a tick box exercise only (Defined Benefit Transfers). Any clients who have been through our process know this is far from the case. We do however have empathy with this position and have taken giant steps to make it so much more, by providing added value in areas such as substantial savings and control with regards to currency exchange, reduced administration, and cash flow modelling to provide a route map throughout retirement.
