The answer, in short, is no and has to be for good reason.

SYPA administers a particular pension scheme, the LGPS, and this is where our expertise lies. We are not independent nor are we licensed under the Financial Service Act. We can provide information about the rules and options within the Local Government Pension Scheme to assist you in making decisions associated with your pension and we run pension information services in the four districts to do just that.

What we cannot do is comment or offer advice on the quality, suitability or performance of financial products that are not related to the LGPS nor the people who might be licensed to do so. However the pension scheme often presents complex options and then there are issues surrounding paying extra contributions and how to invest pensions benefits once they are in payment. Recognising that members are often confused and concerned about what to do for the best we have made an agreement with a panel of independent financial advisors to provide all our scheme members with an advisory service free of charge.

The panel are all registered as independent financial advisors with the Financial Services Authority and are subject to that watchdog's rules and regulations. They have no connection with (and are not salespeople for) any insurance company or other financial institution and are therefore able to give an assessment of the wider financial products available as well as giving an objective opinion on those that members already hold.

A telephone answerphone number and freepost address have been set up for members to leave their details so that advisors can get back to them. Due to the anticipated demand for this service a response from the panel advisors has been agreed at 3 working days. In each case they will need the basic question or requirement from the member, details of the employer and department that they work for and a contact telephone number, preferably day and evening, that the member can be reached on. (Retired members should quote their pension number instead of employer).

Alternatively you can contact the Society of Financial Advisors on 020 7606 3855. They will provide you with a list of their members in your area who possess the Advanced Financial Planning Certificate.