News that more than four thousand advisers are yet to complete their minimum education requirements has prompted us to dust off a recent Riskinfo poll in case some advisers may be reconsidering a general advice pathway from 1 January 2026.
As we reported recently, the minimum education deadline for advisers who don’t meet the experienced practitioner pathway is fast approaching. Those yet to have meet the minimum education qualifications by the end of 2025 will no longer be able to provide personal financial advice (see: Deadline Looming…).
…general advice is behind a growing proportion of life insurance new business written
When it comes to the delivery of life insurance advice, it seems more existing advisers are contemplating and adopting the general advice option, as evidenced by anecdotal commentary from life companies that general advice is behind a growing proportion of life insurance new business written.
There also appears to be acceptance among a growing cohort of advisers across the board that general advice can be a valid avenue through which to deliver life insurance solutions, particularly for consumers struggling with balancing their household budgets and the cost of living.
Not everyone in the sector is a supporter of general advice, however, with many advisers finding it challenging to support a proposition where the line that separates personal and general advice can too often become problematic.
So, while it’s only been a matter of a few months since we asked you the same question, we’re wondering whether – even in this relatively short space of time – there may have been any change in your thoughts, either in support or against, the prospect of general advice serving as an alternative avenue for life insurance solutions.
See also: Renewed Call for Advisers to Consider General Advice Pathway
Tell us what you think and as always, we’ll report back next week…
