On 17th February, the FCA published a new webpage asking pension schemes and trustees to report concerning pension transfer requests. 

The FCA would like to know about:

  • individuals who provide unauthorised advice on pension transfers;
  • increases in the volume of transfers advised by the same adviser;
  • if a member requested a transfer following a cold call or unsolicited contact;
  • if the member has been offered an incentive to make a transfer;
  • if the scheme has high risk or unregulated investments;
  • if the scheme charges are unclear or high;
  • if the scheme’s investment structure is unclear, complex or unorthodox;
  • potential scam activity.

For the two items in bold above, the FCA also sets out a list of "helpful things to consider" when deciding to make a report.  The FCA also refers schemes / trustees to the Pension Regulator's guidance on specific checks when dealing with pensions transfer requests. 

The webpage also contains dedicated email addresses to which schemes / trustees should make their reports.