Good morning and welcome to your Morning Briefing for Thursday 7 November 2024. To get this in your inbox every morning click here.

Finding the perfect-fit tech for your firm

As important as tech is, advisers often tell me how they don’t know where to start when it comes to picking a solution, writes Richard Harrison, chief executive of Sesame Bankhall Group.

The sheer number of options out there can be overwhelming and tech providers sometimes speak what can sound like a different language to the uninitiated.

While every firm has its own unique needs, there are basic principles that can help you navigate the noise and choose the right tools. Here’s how to simplify the process.

Intelliflo and Estgro team up to transform wealth planning

Fintech provider Intelliflo has teamed up with estate planning firm Estgro to transform how advisers handle generational wealth planning.

The partnership will bridge the gap between financial and legal services, making estate planning and inheritance processes easier for both advisers and their clients.

This combination allows financial advisers to provide tailored recommendations for wealth transfer and inheritance tax strategies.

Close Brothers and SEI sign platform tech deal

Close Brothers Asset Management (CBAM) and SEI have agreed a platform technology partnership.

The deal includes the adoption of SEI Wealth Platform and SEI Data Cloud, a fully integrated technology, data and operational outsourcing solution.

CBAM said the partnership marks a move to deliver its strategic objectives and to be the best place in the UK for wealth management professionals and their clients.

Quote Of The Day

Ironically, Trump’s supporters, who have blamed inflation for making them poorer under the Biden administration, might face further economic challenges.

–Lindsay James, investment strategist at Quilter Investors, comments on the results of the US election.

In Other News

Advanta Solutions Ltd has acquired City Financial Planning Limited, adding a further £800m of AUM under its stewardship.

The purchase of City Financial Planning, which has offices in both Bath and Exeter, is Advanta’s second acquisition in 2024 and its ninth in total.

City Financial Planning director Tim Quirke said: “Becoming part of the Advanta family enables us to continue to grow the business that has its origins almost 25 years ago when the current directors joined forces to create City Financial Planning.

“We have built up a base of fantastic clients, many of whom have become personal friends, making it essential for us to find the right company to partner with. We believe that Advanta is the right company for our clients and our staff.

“Knowing that Advanta shares the same values, professionalism and client service standards that we believe in, was a fundamental key to our decision.”

Craig Webster, CEO of Advanta, added: “We are delighted that City Financial Planning have decided to become part of the Advanta team and that the directors, advisers, their clients, and staff are joining us.

“City Financial Planning have built a fantastic reputation with their clients, and we look forward to working with them on the next phase of their journey.”

Advanta was assisted by Dow Schofield Watts and DLA Piper.

City analysts overwhelmingly predict Bank of England interest rate cut (Guardian)

Risk assets rally but bond market views Trump’s victory with caution (Financial Times)

Asia FX traders brace for risk of disappointment by Fed, China (Bloomberg)

Did You See?

Adviser Services Holdings (ASHL) has sold its national advice business – LYNC Wealth Management – to an affiliate of Seven Investment Management (7IM).

ASHL operates both an independent and restricted advice network, Sense and Lyncombe, with a combined £9bn of assets under advice and over 450 advisers.

In 2023, ASHL began acquiring financial advice firms under the LYNC Wealth Management umbrella, with the aim of offering an exit for advisers wishing to sell their business.

LYNC has bought seven nationwide firms that collectively manage £500m of assets under advice, with plans to acquire several more firms in the coming months.

LYNC will become an appointed representative of the ASHL-owned Lyncombe network.

EX-CONSTRUCTION worker Richard Holden had been chasing the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to approve his pension credit claim for almost a year when The Sun stepped in to help him.

The 75-year-old from Blackpool rang our Winter Fuel SOS hotline last month as he was concerned that he would miss out on this year’s winter fuel payment.

1

Our expert team has been working tirelessly to assist readers following the government’s decision to axe the winter fuel benefit worth up to £300 for 10million pensioners.

Cuts made by Chancellor Rachel Reeves mean the payment is now limited to retirees on pension credit or those receiving certain other means-tested benefits.

More than 760,000 risk missing out if they don’t apply for pension credit before December 21.

Like millions of other state pensioners, Richard would’ve lost his payment this year.

The 75-year-old retired last year and now lives on his state pension, which amounts to £222.70 per week – just £2 above the threshold to qualify for pension credit.

However, because he also receives extra cash help through attendance allowance, benefit checks revealed that he’s could apply for pension credit.

His attendance allowance, worth £108.55 per week, has been a crucial aid in covering his increased living costs due to arthritis and type two diabetes.

Citizens Advice helped him initiate his pension credit claim back in November 2023, but by the end of October 2024, he was still yet to receive any payments.

He told The Sun: “I’ve only just retired last August and I’m having to cut costs everywhere I look.

“I’ve phoned the DWP ten times since December last year, and every single time, the agent has just fobbed me off and told me that they’d be in touch in 10 working days.

“The last call I made was back in September. It’s a total disgrace.”

The Sun contacted the DWP on Richard’s behalf and requested that his case be investigated.

Upon discovering that Richard was eligible for £75 per week in pension credit, the DWP processed his claim.

Since Richard had formally applied for pension credit in November 2023, the DWP also agreed to issue backdated payments totalling £3,787.33, covering the period from August 2023 to October 2024.

He received payments from August 2023 because new pension credit claims can be backdated by three months.

The remaining amount was issued to account for the fact that he had been eligible for the benefit but faced unnecessary delays in being informed of his eligibility.

Additionally, because Richard was found to be eligible for the benefit during the period when the Conservative government was issuing a £300 cost of living payment, he also received this amount.

A government spokesperson said: “We are sorry for the delay in confirming Mr Holden’s eligibility for pension credit.

“We have now issued payment for the pension credit owed backdated to August 2023, as well as a cost-of-living payment of £300.

“We have apologised to Mr Holden, and we will learn lessons from the service delays in this case.”

The Sun’s Winter Fuel S.O.S Campaign

Advertisement

THE Sun’s Winter Fuel SOS Campaign is here to support households during these challenging times.

Due to government cutbacks, ten million pensioners are set to lose the £300 Winter Fuel Payment.

Since opening our phone lines to thousands of pensioners in October, we remain dedicated to providing tips and advice on how to stretch your finances further.

That’s why we have partnered with the poverty charity Turn2Us to launch a free benefits checker, helping you ensure that you are claiming all the benefits to which you are entitled.

Don’t miss our latest Sun Money coverage, which includes essential information on key deadlines, applying for support, and everything you need to know about Pension Credit.

Advertisement

If you have a story to share or wish to get in touch with our team, please email us at money-sm@news.co.uk.

CHECK IF YOU QUALIFY

Pension credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you are single or to £332.95 if you have a partner.

This is known as “guarantee credit”.

If your income is lower than this, you’re very likely to be eligible for the benefit.

However, if your income is slightly higher, you might still be eligible for pension credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.

You could get an extra £81.50 a week if you have a disability or claim any of the following:

• Attendance allowance
• The middle or highest rate from the care component of disability living allowance (DLA)
• The daily living component of personal independence payment (PIP)
• Armed forces independence payment
• The daily living component of adult disability payment (ADP) at the standard or enhanced rate.

You could get the “savings credit” part of pension credit if both of the following apply:

• You reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016
• You saved some money for retirement, for example, a personal or workplace pension

This part of pension credit is worth £17.01 for single people or £19.04 for couples.

Claims for pension credit also open doors to a number of freebies and discounts.

For example, pension credit claimants over 75 qualify for a free TV licence worth up to £169.50 a year.

Claims for the benefit also provide eligibility to £25 a week cold weather payments and the £150 warm home discount.

The deadline to apply for pension credit and qualify for this year’s winter fuel payment is December 21.

We have a guide on all the state pension freebies and discounts you can get.

How much is the winter fuel payment and how is it paid?

Payments last year were worth between £300 and £600, depending on your specific circumstances.

This is because the amount included a “Pensioner Cost of Living Payment” – between £150 and £300. 

This year, it will be worth £200 for eligible households or £300 for eligible households with someone aged over 80.

That means you could receive up to £300 in free cash depending on your circumstances.

Most payments are made automatically in November or December.

You’ll get a letter telling you:

• How much you’ll get
• Which bank account it will be paid into

If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by January 29, 2025, you must contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.

REVOLUT’s app is down leaving hundreds of customers complaining they are locked out of their accounts.

Hundreds of users have reported issues accessing the app, and many cannot transfer money.

1

Problems started at around 7.30am this morning, according to Downdetector, which monitors outages.

Frustrated customers took to X (formerly Twitter) to share how they were being affected by the outage.

One customer said: “Revolut down, and I’m about to arrive in a foreign country with no access to funds.”

Another said: ” I can’t access my account or make any payments. Anyone else experiencing this?”

“The main app and the Revolut X app are both down, and so are both on a web browser.

“I can log in but can’t do anything else, not even report a problem,” said a third customer.

Revolut is an e-money institution that operates similarly to a bank, providing a range of comparable services to over 10million users.

Unlike traditional banks, Revolut is entirely branchless.

Instead, all transactions and account management are conducted online via the Revolut app on your smartphone.

Users can easily open an account and receive a payment card, available as a physical card sent by post, a virtual card on your phone, or both.

Additionally, the app allows you to send money abroad, save funds, and even buy and sell cryptocurrency and stocks.

Revolut was granted a bank licence in July 2024. However, it continues to operate as an e-money institution during its “mobilisation” period.

This means that, unlike traditional banks, your money is not protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

So, if the bank were to go bust, your funds would be safeguarded up to £85,000.

However, any cash in one of Revolut’s savings “vaults” is held at a licenced bank, and this will be protected as that bank is part of the FSCS.

Can I claim compensation for the outage?

Banks and e-money firms don’t have to pay out compensation to customers if there has been a drop in service, unlike how telecom companies have to.

But if you have incurred costs due to service issues, you could likely get your money back.

For example, if a bill payment didn’t go through due to an outage and you’ve been charged a fee for missing it, you should be able to claim that money back.

If your credit rating has been affected by a service outage because you got a late payment fee after being unable to make a transaction, you should also keep a record of this.

If you spoke to anyone to try and resolve the problem, make a note of their name, and when you speak to them, roughly state what you discussed and what they advised you to do.

You can find out more details about how to complain on the bank’s website.

It is worth gathering evidence of your problems to formally complain to the bank or e-money institution directly.

For more information on how to lodge a complaint with Revolut, please visit revolut.com/legal/complaints-policy.

What happens if my bank or e-money firm refuses to compensate me?

If you’re unhappy with how Revolut dealt with your problem, contact the free Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

It is an independent body that will consider the evidence you present and make a fair decision about the action a bank should take.

The FOS can usually get involved 15 days after you’ve raised concerns with the bank.

In the case of an IT system outage at a bank, the FOS says any compensation depends on your circumstances and whether you lost out as a result.

If it thinks you did, it can tell the bank or e-money institution to reimburse any fees, charges, or fines you were hit with, for example, if you could not pay on a credit card bill or to your mortgage provider.

It could also tell a bank to pay you for any money you didn’t receive, such as interest, if you couldn’t pay money in.

If your credit score was affected, it may tell the bank to correct your credit file.

The FOS might also tell the bank to reimburse you for any extra costs you had to make, such as phone calls or trips to your local branch, and a payment for any inconvenience it caused.

To find out more, visit financial-ombudsman.org.uk.

As a lifelong rugby fan, I love the camaraderie and health benefits of playing the sport but not the injuries that sometimes come with it.

After a recent game left me with a leg in plaster, I spent a lot of time housebound, relying on technology to get me through the working day.

This got me thinking about the challenges facing financial advisers, who cannot function properly without the various pieces of software that enable them to do their jobs effectively and efficiently.

But as important as tech is, advisers often tell me how they don’t know where to start when it comes to picking a solution.

While every firm has its own unique needs, there are basic principles that can help you navigate the noise and choose the right tools

That’s understandable. The sheer number of options out there can be overwhelming and tech providers sometimes speak what can sound like a different language to the uninitiated.

With the rise of AI, it can also feel as though there is pressure to sign up to the newest and shiniest piece of tech or risk falling behind.

While every firm has its own unique needs, there are basic principles that can help you navigate the noise and choose the right tools.

Here’s how to simplify the process and find technology that truly works for you.

1. Define your needs clearly

Before diving into the sea of technology options, first clarify what you want from a system.

Whether it’s a CRM, portfolio management tool or another type of software, ask yourself, “what problem am I trying to solve?”

Identifying your core needs helps narrow your search and ensures you don’t waste time or money on a system that fails to meet your requirements.

Choosing a system with extensive features is pointless if you never use them and if it doesn’t address your specific needs

For example, you may want to increase your efficiency, boost productivity or perhaps ensure better audit trails.

Think also about how you’ll measure success to allow you to adapt and learn from decisions taken historically.

Choosing a system with extensive features is pointless if you never use them and if it doesn’t address your specific needs.

At the same time, understand that no software is perfect. Be ready to adapt your processes slightly to fit the tool you choose, rather than demanding extensive customisations. Major modifications can be costly and challenging to maintain over time.

2. Work out what you already have

Before you start talking to providers, understand what you already have and how that might help with the problem you’re trying to solve.

Are there features in your existing tech set up that you’re not using fully? Leverage your existing suppliers to help you explore that.

Consulting with your chosen partners can save you time and ensure you’re considering best-in-class solutions

With a clearer idea of your needs, it’s time to explore the available options. The vast array of solutions and providers can be overwhelming. If you’re part of an adviser community, leverage those connections.

Support services providers often have insight into new technologies and maintain a list of preferred providers based on their efficiency and effectiveness.

Consulting with your chosen partners can save you time and ensure you’re considering best-in-class solutions, so take advantage of their expertise and recommendations.

3. Ensure it’s the right fit

Once you’ve spoken with suppliers and are narrowing down your options, you need to be sure that what you choose is the right fit for your business.

To do that, you should ask yourself the following questions:

• Is it at the right price point?
• Does it specifically meet the need you’re looking for?
• Will it work with your existing technology choices?
• Will it integrate into your current technology estate and also with the way you work, or are you willing to change how you work?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to all, or at least most, of these questions, there’s a good chance you’ve picked the right solution.

4. Don’t judge by brand alone

While it’s tempting to opt for an established brand, don’t overlook smaller or newer providers. A strong brand doesn’t always equate to superior technology.

Emerging tech companies often bring innovative solutions to the table that can enhance productivity, boost profits and improve the service you provide to clients.

To gain a true understanding of how a system will perform, request a test login. This hands-on experience is the best way to determine if the software meets your needs

Smaller providers may work more closely with you, providing you with a more personal service to ensure you get the most out of their system than a larger provider. They may also be more willing to make personalised adjustments to their software to better suit your needs.

5. Test before you commit

Most tech providers offer demos, which are helpful, but a brief demonstration doesn’t always reveal the day-to-day user experience.

To gain a true understanding of how a system will perform in practice, request a test login. Use it over several days or weeks to evaluate its functionality thoroughly. This hands-on experience is the best way to determine if the software meets your needs.

While it’s tempting to opt for an established brand, don’t overlook smaller or newer providers

It’s also a good idea to speak with peers or likeminded businesses, rather than just relying on the sales pitch. Firms which use the system day in, day out will be able to give you an independent view on what its strengths and weaknesses are.

Picking a tech solution is a personal thing, based on a firm’s individual needs. However, if you follow these principles, you will significantly increase your chances of choosing the right option for you.

Richard Harrison is chief executive of Sesame Bankhall Group

PENSIONS can seem daunting, but getting your savings on track is crucial to make sure you can afford to retire when you want to.

Generally, the earlier you start saving the easier it is because compound interest over time means that even modest amounts set aside can grow into huge sums.

1

But other common life choices, such as going on maternity leave, moving to a part time job, and getting divorced can cost you hundreds of thousands of pounds from your pot.

The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) has carried out research that identifies the six key common life choices that can have a devastating effect on your retirement savings.

The IFoA has then used actuarial modelling techniques to show exactly how costly each mistake can be.

Kartina Tahir Thomson, IFoA president, said: “The numbers presented in this report are stark. When we are making some of the biggest decisions in our lives, it is worrying that so much is at stake. 

“On top of this, many people are unaware of the hidden costs of their decisions that may not impact them until years later, during what could be considered the most vulnerable years of their life.”

The good news is, that there are things you can do to prevent these decisions from impacting your financial future. 

Here are the six life moments where it’s important to think about your pension, and how much you’ll miss out on if you don’t.

Not starting a pension – £300,000

Starting a pension as early as possible is one of the most important things you can do, and even small gaps can have a significant impact on your savings.

For instance, the IFoA estimates that for a young saver, starting a pension at age 35 instead of 25 could mean their pot is only £500,000 at retirement instead of £800,000.

If you start saving even earlier, for instance, from your very first job, your money grows even further.

To avoid these gaps, you should make sure you start saving into a pension as soon as you begin to earn, even if you’re not eligible for auto-enrolment.

Anyone aged over 22 who earns over £10,000 from a single employer should be automatically put into their company pension scheme. 

However, there are plenty of people who aren’t automatically eligible because they are younger than that, don’t earn enough or are self-employed.

It could even be that you’re over the age limit and your income is higher than £10k, but because you have multiple employers you don’t meet the £10k threshold for each individual job.

However, just because you’re not automatically enrolled, it doesn’t mean you can’t join the pension scheme. Anyone can ask to sign up and you’ll get tax relief from the government, which helps to boost your pension.

If you earn less than £10,000, but more than £6,240, your employer will have to put money into your retirement fund too.

If you’re self-employed, look into setting up a SIPP and contributing to that. You’ll also get tax relief top-ups on what you save. 

Opting out of a pension – £100,000

When you are auto-enrolled into a pension, you’re given the option to opt-out, but this can be extremely costly.

The IFoA estimates that opting out for just five years will reduce the average pension pot by £100,000.

Of course, being in the pension scheme means that money will be deducted from your salary, but you’ll also get tax relief from the government and a contribution from your employer.

And opting in from the start can set you on the right track to have enough to retire on.

Not taking advantage of extra employer contributions – £100,000

Some more generous employers offer something called “matching” where they agree to put extra money into your pension (above the auto-enrolment legal minimums) if you do too – up to a certain limit.

The IFoA calculates that for a typical person, not taking advantage of extra contributions of 1% of their salary for 40 years could result in up to £100,000 lost from the final pension pot.

On top of that, you’re basically turning down free money from your bosses.

Many employers will let you match for more than 1%, which means you could benefit from a much bigger boost.

For instance, a match of 4% could net you £400,000 more in your pension once the employer contributions, tax relief, and investment returns are factored in. 

Speak to your HR department or pension provider to see whether matching is available at your firm.

Six months maternity leave – £30,000

The IFoA says that six months of maternity leave could reduce a pension pot by £30k or more.

If you have multiple children or take longer leave, the impacts could be much more severe, which is just one of the reasons that women typically have much smaller pension pots than men.

The issue here is that your contributions are typically based on your income, and many women are on statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance.

Even women who work for employers with more generous maternity benefits often take an income hit if they stay off work for a full year.

You’re allowed to overpay your pension (as long as you don’t exceed the annual allowance of £60,000 or your total income), so it’s important to sit down as a family and crunch the numbers.

If you can overpay to the same level as before you went on leave, you’ll avoid the impact on your overall retirement fund.

Of course, the early baby years are expensive, and not everyone can afford to overpay, but make sure you’re having those conversations and looking at the whole family finances and what it means for the future.

Getting divorced – amount depends on circumstances

Pensions are often one of the top two biggest assets in a marriage, so it’s crucial you take them into account when you divorce.

If either party has a defined benefit pension, it could even be worth more than the house.

Make sure that when you’re making decisions around finances that you fully understand the pensions picture, and that it is factored into any agreement.

Moving from full-time to part-time work – £200,000

There are many considerations when it comes to moving from full-time work to part-time work but often pensions get forgotten. 

Because your contributions are normally calculated as a percentage of pay, reducing your hours could have a significant impact on your retirement pot. 

For example, the IFoA calculates that an average employee choosing to work three days a week for the last 25 years of their career would be paying in 40% less pension contributions and this could reduce their pension by £200k at retirement. 

According to the ONS, ‘Labour Force Survey’ 1.7 million men and 5.1 million women are employed part-time workers in the UK.

When thinking about going part-time, make sure you’re including pensions in your calculations.

Think about whether you’ll be able to afford to voluntarily overpay so that you are putting in as much as when you were full time.