Targeted support explained

Since 6 April 2026, pension providers and other firms with the appropriate FCA permission can offer a new kind of help called targeted support. It sits between general guidance and individual financial advice: firms can suggest a course of action for groups of customers in similar situations without comprehensively assessing each person's circumstances.

How it works

A firm identifies groups with a shared financial need or objective and, where relevant, common characteristics such as age, pot size or how much they're withdrawing. It designs a suitable suggestion and checks that the customer fits the group. Both existing and prospective customers can receive targeted support. For example:

people taking withdrawals at a rate likely to run out early might be prompted to review them;
people approaching retirement in a high-risk fund might be told about lower-risk options;
people holding a lot of cash in a pension for a long time might be told what that could cost them.

The firm does not comprehensively assess your whole financial life. It must still take reasonable care over suitability within the targeted support rules, and must not give a suggestion if information it knows, or reasonably ought to know, indicates that it may be unsuitable for you. You remain responsible for deciding whether to act.

Who can offer it

Firms need FCA permission to provide targeted support. The FCA published near-final rules on 11 December 2025, made the final rules on 26 February 2026 and opened permission applications on 2 March 2026. Potential providers include pension providers, workplace pension operators, SIPP operators, platforms, life insurers, wealth managers, fund managers, banks and building societies. Not all providers offer the service.

Guidance, targeted support or advice?

	Guidance (Pension Wise)	Targeted support	Advice
Tells you what to do?	No	Suggests what people like you might do	Yes, for you personally
Assesses your circumstances?	Discusses your options but gives no personal recommendation	Uses limited information to match you to a group	Assesses your circumstances within the agreed scope of advice
Cost	Free	Usually free	Paid
Who's responsible if it's wrong?	Not a recommendation	The firm, within the regime's rules	The adviser

Using it well

Read it as a prompt, not an instruction. Ask yourself whether you really fit the group the suggestion is aimed at.
Watch for product nudges. A firm may suggest its own products. That's allowed, but compare.
Check it's genuine. Targeted support may come from a firm you already deal with or another firm with FCA permission to provide it. Verify the firm and its permissions independently using the FCA Firm Checker, including when a message appears to come from your own provider. An unexpected approach about your pension is a reason to pause and check.
Know when you need more. Targeted support is available for defined contribution pensions and investments. If your decision involves defined benefit pensions, inheritance tax planning or complex family circumstances, consider whether you need individual regulated advice or specialist tax advice instead. Pot size alone does not determine the help you need.

FAQ

When did targeted support start? On 6 April 2026.

Is targeted support the same as financial advice? It is a separate regulated service. Suggestions are designed for groups with a shared need and use limited information, rather than an individual advice assessment. Firms still have responsibilities for the suitability of suggestions within the targeted support framework.

Is targeted support free? Suggestions are usually provided free of charge, but firms can charge for targeted support. Check any service charge and the fees for a suggested product before acting.

Can anyone offer targeted support? Only FCA-authorised firms with permission to provide it.

Sources

General information, not a personal recommendation. Tax treatment and pension rights depend on the rules and individual circumstances.