Retirement & Later Life Advice Specialist of the Year 2026/27
This award is for advisers who demonstrate outstanding expertise and care in retirement and later life planning.
You might combine specialist knowledge with professionalism, ethical judgement, and a client‑first approach—while continually developing your skills and contributing to higher standards across the profession.
What we're looking for
Outstanding specialist expertise – Demonstrating deep knowledge and experience in retirement and later life planning, applied with care and attention to individual client needs.
Professional, ethical, and client‑first advice – Delivering clear, trustworthy advice grounded in strong ethical judgement and a commitment to putting clients first.
Commitment to developing high professional standards – Continually developing specialist skills while contributing to raising standards across the retirement and later life advice disciplines.
Who Can Apply
- Practising financial planners
- FCA (or IOM FSA, Jersey Financial Services Commission / Guernsey Financial Services Commission) authorised to provide investment advice
- Full members of the Personal Finance Society*
* Members of the Personal Finance Society Board and advisers with ongoing disciplinary actions against them are excluded from entering the awards.
Judging
Two stage judging process designed to enable you to demonstrate the range of knowledge and skills necessary to give clients accurate, clear, effective and highly professional specialist advice in retirement and later life planning.
Stage 1
When assessing the submission the judges will be looking for evidence of the following
- Examples of how you became a specialist in providing retirement and later life advice (specialist qualifications, training, experience or skills)
- How you maintain and develop your specialist professional knowledge and skills (specialist training or CPD undertaken etc)
- How your specialist knowledge or skills benefits client outcomes (survey findings / testimonials etc)
- How your commitment to high standards, professionalism and the Code of Ethics influences your business practices
- How you invest in the future of your profession, either through pro bono work, professional connections or training / supporting others
Stage 2
Shortlisted entrants will be invited to complete a hypothetical case study related to their specialism. All case studies will be independently authored and judged by technical specialists, Technical Connection.
The ultimate winner will demonstrate a passion for their profession and the specialist nature of the advice they provide.
