Investment Services Charges
Starting an Investment
To provide a recommendation on starting an investment, we charge 2% of the amount to be invested (minimum charge £500). This provides you with information and advice on which investment provider to use and your optimal investment strategy. This charge is only payable should you wish to proceed with the advice given. We can then manage your investments in line with our investment management service.
Investment Review
If you have existing investments, we can provide a full review ‘Investment Review Report’ which provides analysis and advice on whether to switch or consolidate your existing investments. For this we typically charge £250. Should the report recommend that you transfer your investments to a new provider, we charge 2% of the amount to be transferred (minimum charge £500). This charge is only payable should you wish to proceed with the advice given.
ISA Review
If you have existing ISAs, we can provide a full review ‘ISA Review Report’ which provides analysis and advice on whether to switch or consolidate your existing ISA. For this we typically charge £250 (currently free as a special offer). Should the report recommend that you transfer your ISAs to a new provider, we charge 2% of the amount to be transferred (minimum charge £500). This charge is only payable should you wish to proceed with the advice given.
Initial Investment Charges
If you want upfront independent advice on how much to invest and how to invest it, we charge 2% of the amount you invest (minimum charge £500). This charge is only payable should you wish to proceed with the advice given. For this, we conduct a full risk profiling assessment and advise you on the most appropriate investment strategy for your money. This may be one of the NorthStar portfolios or another type of investment that we deem most likely to achieve your goals. We can help with the best ways to fund a new investment, whether to phase any lump sums and how much to invest regularly. We provide a full report explaining all our recommendations and handle all the paperwork and administration to make investing a breeze. We’re on hand to answer any of your investment questions or explain anything you don’t understand.
If you don’t need any initial independent advice, we don’t charge you anything upfront. Simply tell us which NorthStar portfolio you want to invest in and how much you want to invest. We do all the paperwork and administration and set up your investments for you.
If we advise you make any ongoing contributions to your investments, we charge 2% of each contribution to facilitate these payments. We don’t make a charge where you directly make ongoing investment contributions without seeking advice.
Annual Investment Charges
For all investments in the NorthStar portfolio range, we charge 0.8% per annum to manage your money. For this you get a full investment management service, investment reviews every 6 months, regular rebalancing of your investments, periodic re-risk profiling assessments and access to view and monitor your investments through the client portal.
Where we deem it in your best interests to keep your existing investment portfolio or we recommend a bespoke portfolio outside of the NorthStar Portfolio range, we charge 1% per annum to manage your money. For this, we provide a bespoke annual investment report showing your performance and investment recommendations along with periodic re-risk profiling assessments.
Where we recommend you invest in a simple investment product with a limited fund range we charge 0.5% per annum to manage your money. For this we provide an annual suitability check (to ensure your investment remains right for you) and a valuation statement plus periodic re-risk profiling assessments.
Dynamic Cash Management
For our Dynamic Cash Management service, we charge 0.25% per annum to manage your money (minimum £350 per annum). For this you get a full cash management service, targeting the highest possible interest at all times. You can also monitor your cash deposits via the client portal 24/7 from any device.
The Dynamic Cash Management service is typically suitable for those with at least £50,000 available to deposit.
Other Investment Services
For any other investment services, we will quote a price on enquiry.
Typically we take all charges directly from your investments, but you can pay us directly for our investment services should you wish.
Protection Services Charges
Life Insurance
Typically, we are paid commission for arranging a life insurance policy and are therefore paid by the insurance provider. The arrangement of a life insurance policy is usually subject to a minimum total fee of £500 for all policies. Where the commission payable by the provider is less than £500, the balance is paid by you directly.
Critical Illness Insurance
Typically, we are paid commission for arranging a critical illness policy and are therefore paid by the insurance provider. The arrangement of a critical illness policy is usually subject to a minimum total fee of £500 for all policies. Where the commission payable by the provider is less than £500, the balance is paid by you directly.
Income Protection
Typically, we are paid commission for arranging an income protection policy and are therefore paid by the insurance provider. The arrangement of an income protection policy is usually subject to a minimum total fee of £500 for all policies. Where the commission payable by the provider is less than £500, the balance is paid by you directly.
Mortgage Payment Protection
Typically, we are paid commission for arranging a mortgage payment protection policy and are therefore paid by the insurance provider. The arrangement of a mortgage payment protection policy is usually subject to a minimum total fee of £500 for all policies. Where the commission payable by the provider is less than £500, the balance is paid by you directly.
Other Protection Services
For any other specialist protection services, we will quote a price on enquiry.
Retirement Services Charges
Starting a Pension
To provide a recommendation on starting a pension, we charge 2% of the amount to be invested (minimum charge £500). This charge is only payable should you wish to proceed with the advice given. This provides you with information and advice on which pension provider to use, your optimal investment strategy and what you can expect your pension to provide you in retirement. We can then manage your pension investments in the same way as our investment management service and charge the same amount as for any other investment.
Retirement Planning
Retirement planning aims to answer the bigger questions about how you fund and plan for your retired years. Retirement planning falls under our financial planning service and is charged in the same way. You may either opt for an ongoing financial planning service paid monthly or by ad-hoc or one-off services which simply look at your retirement planning needs in isolation. You can see a full breakdown of our financial planning charges and choose the plan that is right for you.
Pension Review
To provide a full ‘Pension Review Report’ covering analysis and advice on whether to switch or consolidate your pensions, we typically charge £500 (currently free as a special offer). Should the report recommend that you transfer your pensions to a new provider, we charge 2% of the amount to be transferred (minimum charge £500). This charge is only payable should you wish to proceed with the advice given.
Pension Review (For Any ‘Defined Benefit’ Pensions)
If you have any ‘defined benefit’ (also known as ‘final salary’) pensions, to provide a report which covers analysis and advice on whether to transfer your pensions, the typical charge is 1% of the amount to be transferred, capped at £3,000.
Retirement Strategy & Pension Review
To provide a ‘Retirement Strategy Report’ with a full pension review, we typically charge £600. Should the report recommend that you transfer your pensions to a new provider to either improve your pension planning or to facilitate drawdown, we charge 2% of the amount to be transferred (minimum charge £500). To facilitate your pension income, we charge 1% of any amount to be annuitised and/or 2% of any amount that we recommend moving to a new drawdown contract (minimum charge £500). These implementation charges are only payable should you wish to proceed with the advice given. This report sets out a specific retirement strategy to address your current needs. This will typically include an overview of your retirement assets, analysis showing the earliest time you can afford to retire, whether you can meet your retirement income requirements and how a financial disaster could impact your retirement. It will also cover how best to take your retirement income, a strategy for releasing tax-free cash and a strategic review of the assets to fund your retirement. The report may recommend that you transfer your pension or purchase an annuity and/or drawdown directly from your pension.
Retirement Strategy
To provide a ‘Retirement Strategy Report’ where no pension review is required, we typically charge £800. This report sets out a strategic overview of your retirement strategy. This will typically include an overview of your retirement assets, analysis showing the earliest time you can afford to retire, whether you can meet your retirement income requirements and how a financial disaster could impact your retirement.
Pension Investment Management
We manage the money you have in your pension in the same way as our investment management service and charge the same amount as for any other investment. This is typically 0.8% per annum where you are invested in a NorthStar portfolio, 1% per annum where your pension investment portfolio is with any other provider or 0.5% per annum where you invest in a simple pension product with a limited fund range (minimum charge £500).
If we advise you make any ongoing contributions to your pensions, we charge 2% of each contribution to facilitate these payments. We don’t make a charge where you directly make ongoing pension contributions without seeking advice.
Income Drawdown Investment Management
If you want to keep your pension invested after you retire, drawing the money as you wish, we manage your money in the same way as our investment management service and charge the same amount as for any other investment. This is typically 0.8% per annum where you are invested in a NorthStar portfolio, 1% per annum where your drawdown investment portfolio is with any other provider or 0.5% per annum where you invest in a simple drawdown product with a limited fund range (minimum charge £500).
All Other Retirement Services
For any other specialist retirement services, we will quote a price on enquiry.
Defined benefit transfer advice provided by selected third-parties. This service is not provided by NorthStar directly.
Older Age Planning Services Charges
Long-term care Insurance
Typically, we are paid commission for arranging a long-term care insurance policy and therefore paid by the insurance provider. The arrangement of a long-term care insurance policy is usually subject to a minimum total fee of £500 for all policies. Where the commission payable by the provider is less than £500, the balance is paid by the client directly.
State Care Provision
To provide a full, personalised report into your state care provision entitlement and the steps you need to take to maximise your state benefits in this area, we typically charge £500.
Inheritance Tax Planning
Inheritance tax planning aims to minimise the inheritance bill on your estate when you die. There are many techniques we can use to legitimately reduce this tax and steps we can help you take to lower the tax your estate will pay. Inheritance tax planning falls under our financial planning service and is charged in the same way. You may either opt for an ongoing financial planning service paid monthly or by ad-hoc or one-off services which simply look at your inheritance tax planning needs in isolation. You can see a full breakdown of our financial planning charges and choose the plan that is right for you.
Funeral Plans
Typically, we are paid commission for arranging a funeral plan and therefore paid by the policy provider.
Other Older Age Planning Services
For any other specialist older age planning services we will quote a price on enquiry.
Financial Planning Charges
Charges outlined below are for financial planning services only. Where investments, pensions or other services are required, the charges for these are as per this document.
Standard
£950 upfront plus £50 per month.
Our standard financial planning service is perfect for most needs with comprehensive financial plan reviews every 24 months.
Plus
£950 upfront plus £95 per month.
For those with more complex finances or those wanting more regular reviews, Plus is the perfect choice. This service provides comprehensive financial plan reviews every 12 months.
Business Services Charges
Workplace Pensions and Auto-enrolment Consultation & Scheme Setup
To provide a comprehensive pensions auto-enrolment consultation and full scheme setup, we charge £650 (currently discounted to £450 as a special offer). We will provide details of the recommended pension scheme as well as ensuring your scheme is fully setup and managed effectively.
Directors’ Pensions
To provide a recommendation on starting a directors’ pension, we typically charge 2% of the amount to be invested (minimum charge £500) per director. This charge is only payable should you wish to proceed with the advice given. This provides you with information and advice on which pension provider to use, your optimal investment strategies and what you can expect your pension to provide you in retirement. We can then manage your directors’ pension investments in the same way as our investment management service and charge the same amount as for any other investment.
Directors’ Pension Review
To provide a full review ‘Pension Review Report’ on a director’s pension which provides analysis and advice on whether to switch or consolidate your existing directors’ pension, we typically charge £500 per director. Should the report recommend that you transfer your directors’ pensions to a new provider, we charge 2% of the amount to be transferred (minimum charge £500 per director). This charge is only payable should you wish to proceed with the advice given.
Shareholder and Partnership Protection
Typically, we are paid commission for arranging a shareholder or partnership protection policy and therefore paid by the insurance provider. The arrangement of a shareholder or partnership protection policy is usually subject to a minimum total fee of £500 for all policies. Where the commission payable by the provider is less than £500, the balance is paid by the client directly.
Key Person Protection
Typically, we are paid commission for arranging a key person protection policy and therefore paid by the insurance provider. The arrangement of a key person protection policy is usually subject to a minimum total fee of £500 for all policies. Where the commission payable by the provider is less than £500, the balance is paid by the client directly.
Relevant Life Policies
Typically, we are paid commission for arranging a relevant life policy and therefore paid by the insurance provider. The arrangement of a relevant life protection policy is usually subject to a minimum total fee of £500 for all policies. Where the commission payable by the provider is less than £500, the balance is paid by the client directly.
Staff Benefits
Our Staff Benefit Package Report starts from £800. For this, we provide a comprehensive report on the staff benefits you should consider offering to your staff and provide full recommendations on providers and policies to use to provide these benefits. We can provide a more accurate quote for a Staff Benefits Package Report after assessing your business circumstances.
Remuneration Strategies
Our Remuneration Strategies Report starts from £600. For this, we provide a comprehensive report showing analysis and recommendations for the remuneration of directors and key staff within your business. We can provide a more accurate quote for a Remuneration Strategies Report after assessing your business circumstances.
Exit Strategy Planning
To provide a comprehensive Business Exit Strategy Report we typically charge £600 for businesses with straightforward financial structures and a turnover below £1m. For all larger or more complex business, we typically charge £1,000 for a Business Exit Strategy Report.
Business Investment Services
Where money is retained in your business, you need to make sure it is invested wisely. We manage the business investments in the same way as our investment management service and charge the same amount as for any other investment. This is typically 0.8% per annum where you are invested in a NorthStar portfolio and 1% per annum where your business investment is with any other provider.
Business Financial Planning
Business planning helps you better understand, organise and optimise the financial affairs of your business in conjunction with your own finances. Business planning falls under our financial planning service and is charged in the same way. You may either opt for an ongoing financial planning service paid monthly or buy ad-hoc or one-off services which simply look at your retirement planning needs in isolation. You can see a full breakdown of our financial planning charges and choose the plan that is right for you.
Other Business Services
For any other specialist business services we will quote a price on enquiry.