General information guide. Not financial or legal advice. For a free case assessment, use the button below.
Start your free assessment → Download this guide (PDF) ↓Pension advisers and SIPP operators rely heavily on claimants not acting in time. Understanding the time limits that apply to your specific claim is essential before taking any other step.
Limit 1 — Six-year absolute clock: Your complaint must be brought within 6 years of the event — typically the date the advice was given or the transfer was completed. For advice given in 2018 or earlier, this clock has now expired for many claimants.
Limit 2 — Three-year awareness clock: Even if the six-year clock has expired, the FOS can consider your complaint if it is brought within 3 years of when you first knew, or reasonably ought to have known, that you had grounds to complain. This clock starts when you became aware — not necessarily when the advice was given.
If you have received a Final Response Letter from the firm rejecting your complaint, you have 6 months from the date of that letter to refer to the FOS. After 6 months, the FOS will generally not accept the complaint.
FSCS limitation rules are separate from FOS time limits and run from the date of the firm's default, not the date of the original advice. Where a firm was recently declared in default, the FSCS claim window may be open even where the FOS time limits have expired.
FSMA s.27 civil claims have their own limitation rules under the Limitation Act 1980, typically 6 years from when the cause of action accrued with a 3-year discoverability extension. These may differ from FOS time limits and are assessed case by case.
You can complain directly to the firm, refer to the Financial Ombudsman Service or apply to the FSCS — all completely free. If you use the free routes, you keep 100% of any compensation.
| Redress received | Max % | Max fee |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £1,499 | 30% | £420 |
| £1,500–£9,999 | 28% | £2,500 |
| £10,000–£24,999 | 25% | £5,000 |
| £25,000–£49,999 | 20% | £7,500 |
| £50,000 and above | 15% | £10,000 |
Compensation is paid directly to you. We invoice after you receive your compensation. You pay nothing if unsuccessful. Source: FCA PS21/18 (Chapter 2, Table 1) & CMCOB 5.2. Excl. VAT.
Compensation is paid directly to you. We invoice after you receive your compensation. You pay nothing if unsuccessful. Source: FCA PS21/18 (Chapter 2, Table 1) and CMCOB 5.2. Excl. VAT.
Cancel any agreement with us within 14 days of signing, without charge or obligation. No questions asked.
Contact complaints@redressadvisory.com. If unresolved, refer to the Financial Ombudsman Service free of charge within 6 months of our final response.