Rather than making it all about the questions we want answered, we'd love to hear what's on the paraplanning community's mind.

So, if there's something you've always wanted to ask the FCA about Consumer Duty, please send me your questions!

We'll do our best to put as many of your questions as possible to Steph during the episode, but please try get your questions to me by Thursday 13th August!

I'm not sure this is the right channel, but I was looking for views on a client preference that I've not encountered before.

We have a client who would prefer their investments and pensions to be held with a mutual organisation, primarily for ethical reasons and because they value the member-owned structure. This isn't a preference I've come across previously, so I'm interested in how others have approached it.

Have you had clients express a similar preference? If so, how did you factor it into your suitability assessment and recommendation process, particularly where it significantly reduced the range of available solutions?

It feels somewhat comparable to ESG or responsible investment preferences, although in practice it narrows the available provider universe much more substantially.

I'd be interested to hear any experiences or thoughts.

For many paraplanners, becoming a Financial Adviser is a natural progression but knowing where to start, what support is available, and whether it's the right move can be difficult.

I'm currently speaking with paraplanners who are interested in exploring trainee Financial Adviser opportunities. Whether you're actively looking or simply curious about what the transition involves, I'm happy to have an informal, no-obligation conversation about the role, the journey, and what to expect.

If you've ever wondered whether advice could be the right next step in your career, feel free to reach out.

If you're interested, drop me a message on 07467 410267

https://pfp.thepfs.org/2026/06/11/pfp-podcast-presents-inside-paraplanning-live

What rate of inflation (CPI) are you using in your cashflow modelling? Do you use more than one?

We currently have ours at 2.00% but we're feeling this is on the low side now with long-term inflation projections despite it being the target rate.

Do you increase wage growth with inflation or do you use a separate AWE growth rate?

Thanks in advance.

Daniel

• Dividend Tax rate increase for basic & higher + 2%
• VCT tax relief reduced to 20%
• £2.5m cap on 100% BR - reduced to 50% relief above

But now that AKG has exited stage left and isn’t rating all the platforms anymore, someone’s got to keep the judging panel intact.

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Instead of juggling spreadsheets like a frantic Tess Daly, you get one clean, decisive, time‑saving overall rating.

It’s the paraplanner equivalent of skipping straight to the leaderboard.

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£300 for adviser firms

I'm not far off fifty and the data world is all I've ever known. My current line of work is always in demand, I don't fear lack of opportunities or, due to my experience, age discrimination. I read that Paraplanners are in demand, however when I search 'Paraplanner' on the Indeed jobsite, covering various locations, hardly any jobs are returned.
Are Paraplanners really in demand or is it a positive spin that Paraplanner articles put out?
What is the best method to seek Paraplanner roles (certain website, agencies, cold calling, etc..)?

I intend to self-fund the CII Level 4 DipPFS. It'll give me insight to the subject before any decisions are made and a potential boost in entering the industry.
Would you advise to complete the full diploma, some exams (which exams?), or switch without any knowledge, and what position do you suggest I target (admin, junior Paraplanner, Paraplanner - clearly based on the qualification(s) I possess)?

I see there are plenty of options for study materials - textbooks, revision cards, online tuition, mock exams, etc.. Bearing in mind I am self-funding and that I have zero industry knowledge, which of the materials do you suggest I purchase and is there a preferred publisher of these materials?

Being a later age in my working life and hoping to work for another fifteen years, is this an industry that is suited to the older person?

Is AI, or will AI, reduce the demand for Paraplanners over the next fifteen years?

It would be brilliant if you can advise on the above or provide your own experiences. I don't wish to close of my questioning and limit your answers, so feel free to add as you wish. I'm nervous about making a switch but I shouldn't let the unknown stop me if it can lead to greater enjoyment and still provide job security. Best and regards.

We don't have permissions for DB advice. Am I OK to recommend or discount the option of buying added pension from the scheme?

What software do people use for managing caseloads / assigning and tracking cases within a paraplanning team?

We currently use a shared excel spreadsheet which (as you would expect) is causing issues - it's grows on a daily basis and users filtering it causes cases to fall through the cracks.

I can run some training on how to create individual views and filters but there has to be a better solution out there.

I tried searching but couldn’t see a thread on moving from a Financial Planner to a Paraplanner role, so I wanted to ask if anyone has made that transition and could share their experience or any advice.

I’m currently a Chartered Financial Planner (London based) and 11 years industry experience (three of those as a planner and four as a Paraplanner/ associate planner).

I used to really enjoy the work, but lately I’ve found myself worn down by the sales focus, compliance grind, and constant admin firefighting. In all honesty, even the client-facing side has started to feel extremely draining. I often feel like I’m spinning 100 plates rather than doing much of the actual planning in “financial planning”.

I'm much more technically minded. The part of the job I do enjoy is researching, modelling, and drafting complex reports. I enjoy building strategy and working deeply on a few meaningful cases rather than juggling endless queries.

I’d really appreciate any insight from those who’ve made a similar move or anyone with any insight at all I.e. what surprised you, what you wish you’d known, and how the day-to-day compares or anything else you feel is worth highlighting!

Thank you

I have just realised that I have made over £90,000 in the last 12 months, so I now need to register for VAT. Bit of a panic moment!

I’m not sure how it works, do I have to pay 20% VAT on everything I’ve earned since I went over the limit? Or does it start from the day I register?

Would really appreciate any advice. Thank you!

My query is, if he insists to set up another GIA Bare Trust same as the existing one even after I have discussed with him and pitched the JISA, is it still suitable for me to recommend even though I think the JISA would be more efficient?

It is mostly around taking pension benefits. People from my hobby groups, friends of friends etc, as soon as they find out what I do (Chartered Financial Planner) they want to pick my brains over taking money from their pensions.

Latest example is that I went to the salon to have my hair done. My hairdresser, who I have been going to for years, told me that her Father is looking to retire later this year and had some questions about his pension. Next thing I know he turned up at the salon! Initially it was just generic questions, how much TFC can I take and is this annually or in total etc. No advice, just information. However he then asked if I would look at his paperwork. I took a cursory glance, explained the difference between his pensions (he had DB and DC) and that was that. However my hairdresser has now messaged me asking if I will meet with her Father for a coffee as he wants to know how much he should take etc. Essentially advice. I am finding this scenario happens a lot (at least monthly) and whilst I am happy to provide generic information, it never stops at that despite me explaining that I cannot provide advice and why. Unfortunately I am a people pleaser so saying no doesn't come easy.

The company I work for have a minimum entry point of £500k and the vast majority of these people only have small pensions so I cannot take them on as clients as charge a fee, provide a report.

I'd be interested in hearing how others deal with this.

TIA

I've been tasked with reviewing our process on decumulation/sustainability, and was wondering what everyone else does.

Effectively, we need to establish whether the withdrawal rate on a portfolio is sustainable.

Some of the options I've come across are below.

1. Cashflow Modelling
2. Monte Carlo
3. Safe Withdrawal Rate

I would be interested to know what people do, and which providers/systems they use?

Personally, I like the idea of cashflow modelling, but it does have its flaws. The returns are always in a straight-line, and don't account for the volatility expected over retirement. I know you can run alternative scenarios, but clients typically pay most attention to the base plan.

I hope it’s ok to post this in here, I’ve been given a task for the Consumer Duty Alliance!

They are currently running a survey about Women in Personal Finance, and they’ve had a great response so far, but they don’t have as many responses from paraplanners as they would like.

It’s really important research so if anyone could take five mins to complete it, that would be fab. The link to it is here: https://survey2.yougov.com/vp7QJq5PsssLWv

Thanks so much! 😊

What are you doing with clients who don't want to complete the form, even though they have health issues which would qualify for an enhanced annuity?

I've used Dynamic Planner's annual review system before, though we don't use Dynamic Planner.

Does anyone have any ideas they can share from what they do?

Thanks

Since LifeQuote has shut down its services, does anyone know of any alternatives?

Just wondering whether anyone can recommend some good resources we can use in the office to help with training on identifying vulnerable customers/general vulnerability training?

Any resources would be appreciated, thanks!

Has anyone or their firm gone through a process of "sacking" a Discretionary Investment Manager (DIM) under an "agent as client" agreement and moving to a different DIM, most likely as part of upgrading their centralised investment proposition?

If so, what challenges did you or the firm encounter?
Did the firm bulk switch all clients from one portfolio to an equivalent suitable portfolio?
Did they do this on a phased basis (e.g. changing only at annual review)?
What were the main compliance points that need to be covered?

Looking forward to hearing some thoughts and views on this.

Thanks

Just interested in how others have implemented this.

Our standing ongoing service agreement is the usual fare, ongoing due-dil of solutions, at least annual formal review meeting, access to the team at any time etc.

It is fairly easy to scale this up for clients with more complex needs, but for those with simple needs or that do not need / want an a formal review meeting every year, how have firms approached this?

• Offer of bi-annual meetings?
• MiFID disclosures still issued annually?
• Lower fees?
• Tech driven reporting?

Any anecdotes gratefully received.

I work as a paraplanner at a firm in the west midlands. Over the past week we have had over 10 requests from clients wishing to take their PCLS with no real objective other than the speculation that labour may change rules around accessing PCLS.

Have any firms also experienced this and how are the advisers going about managing the clients? Additionally, if anyone has got to case stage how is this being documented or are advisers saying that it is impossible to advise on legislation that has not already been put in place.

Cheers
Cal