Consumers can kick-start their financial planning with free checks from advisers through unbiased.co.uk

• 63% of consumers have confirmed that they want to benefit from whole-of-market financial advice¹
• In response, participating advisers on unbiased.co.uk are offering free checks on pension arrangements, mortgages, investments and general financial health

To usher in 2015 as the Year of Advice, unbiased.co.uk is offering consumers free introductory sessions to check on their finances. Whole-of-market financial advisers are available for initial meetings to offer pension, mortgage, investment and financial health checks.

Consumers have been both liberated and empowered by the recent changes to pensions, ISAs and stamp duty. In addition, the FCA’s promise of a guidance guarantee is a hugely positive step towards greater consumer engagement with financial planning. Yet in a survey of UK consumers, 63% of respondents wanted more help in finding whole-of-market, unbiased financial advice, especially for retirement planning.

With research showing that savers who take independent advice benefit on average from an additional income of £3,654 every year of their retirement², unbiased.co.uk hopes consumers will take full advantage of the free checks on offer to make the most of their finances.

Karen Barrett, chief executive of unbiased.co.uk: “We introduced our free financial checks in response to the many reforms that took place in 2014. Although very positive for consumers, the changes have left many confused by the range of options now available.

“The checks are a great no-obligation incentive for people to see a financial adviser perhaps for the first time in their lives.  Many people already know that they will have to do this sooner or later - our research shows that only 27% of people would be confident arranging an annuity without the help of a financial adviser, for instance. Overall, only 38% of people say they’re ‘confident’ about their retirement income plans, and one in four said they feel ‘anxious’ about it. These free introductions to advice are a step towards confronting that anxiety.

“unbiased.co.uk is the largest search for  independent whole-of-market financial advisers, listing over 15,000 IFAs. The advisers we list are uniquely positioned to help consumers make confident decisions about their retirement income options. We list over 24,000 professional advisers and hold details of over 12,000 who specialise in retirement advice. What’s more, over 3,000 of our advisers specifically state they advise clients with pension pots of £50,000 or less.  Our Find an Adviser checklist can help people find the adviser who is right for their particular circumstances.”

For a free and confidential search for a whole-of-market financial adviser, visit www.unbiased.co.uk.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

¹ Based on unbiased.co.uk research conducted via Opinium Research through an online survey of 2,003 UK adults aged 18+ from 29 April to 2 May 2014. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.

² Based on a survey of 256 financial advisers on unbiased.co.uk, from 28 July to 14 August 2014.

For more information contact:

Frederica Saunders / Calum MacDougall, Lansons: 020 7294 3682

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About unbiased.co.uk

With over one million visitors a year, unbiased.co.uk is the UK's biggest and most versatile search for regulated and independent advisers. We enable consumers and businesses to find the best financial and legal advice from a choice of over 24,000 IFAs, financial advisers, mortgage brokers, solicitors and accountants. We also make it easier to find the right advice by providing information, insights, tools and other resources to facilitate consumer choice.

The unbiased.co.uk website launched in 1998 and rapidly became the UK’s leading adviser search. It is now the default adviser directory for websites that point users towards professional advice.

Unbiased Ltd promotes the benefits of financial and legal advice to consumers and businesses and would like to thank the following companies for their support:

Unbiased Ltd - Registered Office: 12-14 Berry St, London, EC1V 0AU.  Registered in England: No. 06775878.