Jane Hodges

Review from verified client

April, 2024

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Reasonably complex set of pensions and estate thar required planning for retirement

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Did an assessment of needs and then advised on best products and route to achieve aims

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

So far, yes

What could they have done better?

I was completely happy with the service provided

Review from verified client

April, 2024

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I am a British Citizen living in Ireland. I had two pension pots in the UK that when it came to make changes - the current financial adviser advised that as I was no longer resident in the UK they could not help. Obviously it never occurred to them to let me know nor could they recommend anyone who could assist.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

I located Jane through Money Helper and she was able to assist and advise on these matters leading to a satisfactory outcome. Responses to queries were always dealt with promptly and I would highly recommend Jane and her team.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes.

What could they have done better?

Nothing from Jane's side but the overall attitude of advisers and pension providers post Brexit appears to be one of not bothering with anything out of the norm which is disappointing to say the least.

Review from verified client

December, 2023

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I wanted to consolidate my savings and investments.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

She is very responsive to any questions I have regarding my investments. As I retired this year, I needed advice on pensions.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing comes to mind.

Review from verified client

December, 2023

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Inheritance planning

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

In addition to inheritance planning, she has helped the whole family with long term investments and savings.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, Jane explained everything very clearly and took us through options and the benefits of each, by the time we made a choice we were very well informed.

What could they have done better?

The administration took longer than I'd expected.

Review from verified client

December, 2023

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I needed advice on how best to use my Defined Contribution pensions and AVCs as I approached retirement, and how to receive an income from them..

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

She arranged the setting up of annuities which will increase with RPI.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

This is exactly what I was looking for.

Review from verified client

December, 2023

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Consolidate multiple pensions and provide a flexible income

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Guided me through the process and offered advice on best suted products

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Very happy with the outcome. We still have some outstanding transfers, but that was my decision. I will be happy to continue using Jane for my future transfers

Review from verified client

December, 2023

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

A fixed term annuity had ended and I was looking for a new pension provider as a non-uk resident

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane found a suitable place for my funds and has since found an annuity provider for non-uk residents

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

Review from verified client

December, 2023

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I needed an adviser to recieved my old pension from CIS Co op insurance which Royal London had now got them.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

To advise me on the lump sum I had with CIS which was bought out by Royal London. And Jane was perfect advisor.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Oh yes and very happy the advise and Jane and her team done perfect service.

What could they have done better?

They was A1 at all times

Review from verified client

December, 2023

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I had two pensions with Prudential one had a guarantee and I needed a financial adviser to monitor any subsequent developments. My original plan was to go for a draw down arrangement but was advised against this, ! now have an annuity.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Going through my expenses Jane was adamant that an annuity would be the best option.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, as long as I live long enough!

What could they have done better?

I was happy with the result.

Jane's reply

Dear John, thank you for doing this- and hope I wasn't being too bossy, but do think it was the right decision for you. Hope everything is going well for you.

Review from verified client

October, 2023

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I wanted to transfer a defined benefit pension plan to a SIPP and then to consolidate this with several other smaller pensions

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane took care of everything from start to finish. She was professional and highly responsive and gave me absolute confidence about everything.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes my pensions were consolidated as planned and I have now transferred everything to Australia where I live and plan to retire

Jane's reply

Thanks very much- it has taken a few years to get the funds where you needed them but hope you now have the retirement you are hoping for in Australia. Regards Jane

Review from verified client

April, 2023

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I needed to know if I could retire with the savings and investments I had.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

As the head of the firm she has been overseeing the advice proposed by my long-term advisor who had joined her company. Recently she has driven a thoroughgoing review of the portfolio with future performance in mind.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

it's early days, but the proposals are clear and seem sensible

What could they have done better?

The company's response to queries has sometimes been slow, but much quicker recently.

Review from verified client

April, 2023

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Inheritance investment

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Invest lump sum and manage the investments

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Dunno

Jane's reply

Thank you so much and hopefully this has helped set you up for a great future with a good mix of investments. We hope everything goes amazingly this year x

Review from verified client

April, 2023

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I was initially looking for an adviser to help me look at how best to support long term care for my elderly parents and wanted an adviser who was qualified in that area and in particular care annuities.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

I have been a client of Jane for nearly 2 years now. She initially helped me with setting up care annuities for my elderly parents and provided advice on inheritance planning. She has just recently helped my husband and I with our own retirement planning. She made sure she understood our circumstances and appetite for risk completely, what we wanted to achieve and presented us with a range of options. The profiling and reports she provides are thorough and easily understood.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes the care annuities brought security for my parents and Jane made the process very straight forward. We have just finalised our initial retirement planning and happily proceeded with recommendations made by Jane. We feel a huge benefit of working with Jane is the peace of mind it gives us that we have not overlooked anything and that we are making sound investments in proportion to our appetite for risk.

What could they have done better?

Not sure there is anything.

Jane's reply

Thank you so much for the review, it is greatly appreciated and hopefully, we can keep helping all of the family for many years to come. Regards Jane

Review from verified client

April, 2023

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I needed to obtain a transfer of one of my defined benefit (final salary) pensions.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane promptly arranged for a transfer specialist to handle the (very onerous) regulatory requirements for the transfer. Regulation now stacks everything against obtaining such a transfer and the rigourous process the specialist goes through has to be done within a time limit to secure the quoted value - which last year was at a time of plummeting values, so became very stressful. Without Jane's several interventions to cut across the specialist company's crossed wires and some bureaucratic mis-steps, the guaranteed value would have been lost, probably making the transfer pointless.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, the transfer was secured at the guaranteed value just in time.

What could they have done better?

It seemed unimportant at the time (and my requirements were a bit unusual and demanding), but with hindsight of how markets and transfer speciailist availability moved (not their fault!) a faster time to getting me quoted for the service to get the process started would have helped. A minor point and driven by bad luck of the circumstances.

Jane's reply

Thanks so much Ruth- our experience in all the things that can go wrong and the working assumption that it will- unless we do something about it in advance- usually helps. In your case, the loss of yet another specialist PTS firm (due to onerous regulation and the significant drop in demand as values plummeted) at the start was completely unexpected - I have it on my list to try and head off next time lol. We all lost some sleep trying to hit the deadlines for you. The review is very much appreciated.

Review from verified client

December, 2022

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Recently retired with a number of pensions. Although I had a rough idea of what I wanted to do, I had discovered that the modern world of pensions is a complex area.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane helped by quickly understanding my situation and refining the (seemingly) infinite number of options down to a more manageable number. Jane would express her view and point out the positives and negatives, but would always defer to my wishes. This is an online service and following an initial video call everything was dealt with online. The initial video call was extremely helpful in establishing a relationship between Jane and myself. All subsequent interactions were, in my case, on-line. The speed of work was impressive and yet with no lack of thoroughness. It is also worth noting that the technology that was used was first class and I felt completely confident in sharing financial information with Jane.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. In fact it is a better outcome than I was looking for.

What could they have done better?

I am no expert in the area, but the signing of documents could be done better. Sometimes it required printing out, physically signing and scanning a document. In other cases it required electronically signing with third part software. As I said it may just be that is simply where the technology is and there is nothing much that can be done. I should also say that this is a small gripe.

Jane's reply

Thanks David, we were happy to help. Yes the world of signatures is still evolving although we can do most digitally-not all providers can- but you have spurred us on to standardise as much as we can. Jane and the Money Honey Team

Review from verified client

November, 2022

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Retired from work.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Evaluation of personal needs in the long term and options I can have. This help me to decide and also give me ideas as to what I can expect in the long run.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

It is at its early stage but currently I am able to do what I want for now.

What could they have done better?

Perhaps urgent matters can be communicated at personal level.

Review from verified client

November, 2022

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I was Transferring out if my Pension and needed advice on how to re-invest the monies

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane and her colleagues were excellent, constantly keeping me updated each step of the way and explaining everything in detail

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, everything has come through as explained by Jane and her team

What could they have done better?

Nothing, they were excellent, chasing and advising each step of the way

Review from verified client

October, 2022

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

As a single female professional, I have been self financial-planning for some time, as I have previously lacked trust in services previously available. Jane came highly recommended and as a successful award-winning woman in the financial sector this gave me the validation and confidence I had been searching for, for a very long time.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane has taken all the worry away from me which until this point I was doing single-handed. I felt I was doing an okay job with my finances, however, Jane has brought an another level to this of short and long-term planning and actions to be taken. I feel all the burden of looking after myself has been lifted.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

I am in the early stages of my altered course of planning, however, I feel confident in the rigorous approach that Jane takes you through and the choices that I have made that there will be a successful outcome.

What could they have done better?

Nothing. The whole online experience has been easy, quick and very thorough using the secure portal.

Jane's reply

Thank you Rachel, that is really kind of you, and we are so pleased to have taken the pressure off you. Regards Jane and the team.

Review from verified client

October, 2022

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I was looking to get advice on transferring a db pension

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane and the team have been extremely helpful and responsive. Having spoke to many IFAs previously, dealing with Jane and the team has been very positive. Jane's team makes use of a free introductory call followed up by use of an online portal which allows client to stay in touch and Jane responds quickly to any questions. This is a total contrast to the glacial speeds at which some other companies in this space move :-)

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

The only way Jane and the team could have improved would be to respond in real time to immediately to any questions. All questions have been answered quickly within hours or on the same day

Jane's reply

Dear Jon, thank you so much for the review. We will pass on thanks to the PTS as well. We are very pleased you like the portal and response times. Regards

Review from verified client

September, 2022

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

We looked into pension advise and Jane was recommend to us.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

We needed to see a bigger picture for planning anything tondo with pension

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes it helped us make decisions forbthe retirement.

What could they have done better?

Service and advice was excellent, if anything could be improved I would suggest the cash flow could be more detailed for us to see breakdown monthly.

Jane's reply

Thank you so much for the review and we were happy to help. Sometimes that big picture cashflow model and financial overview can make all the difference in making key decisions. Regards Jane

Review from verified client

September, 2022

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Looking into early retirement

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane has reviewed my financial circumstances and made projections of my future income/expenses to ascertain whether my plans are affordable.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Sometimes they refer to certain things with different names, this can lead to confusion but always managed to point me in the right direction when I asked for clarification.

Jane's reply

Mark, so kind of you to do a review for us and so glad we were able to help you with some key decisions. Regards Jane

Review from verified client

September, 2022

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Looking for independent financial advice following family inheritance

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Pensions and investment advice linked to broader financial planning through to retirement

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Very happy with the independent advice received; too early to determine the success of the investments made to date

What could they have done better?

Very happy on all fronts!

Jane's reply

Much appreciated Andy, and so glad we could assist you. Regards Jane

Review from verified client

September, 2022

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I was approaching retirement age and had no idea what pensions I had and what these would yield for me in the future

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

She has not only consolidated all of my pensions but drawn up a financial plan for my retirement, advised me on clearing a tax backlog, invested spare cash for me from sale of an inheritance property and much more

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Definitely yes

What could they have done better?

It has taken me around 5 years to finally get to a position of clarity about my finances. This is in no way own o Jane's tardiness but own to my own frequently changing circumstances which have included redundancy in March 2020 and setting up my own business, selling two properties and buying a house jointly with my husband in 2021/ 2022. Jane has been extremely helpful and patient throughout

Jane's reply

Thank you so much Sue, it has been a pleasure working with you and seeing the change over those 5 years. Regards Jane

Review from verified client

September, 2022

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I needed support for planning IHT and future care costs for my parents.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane has researched and advised on all aspects of IHT planning and financial planning. Her careful, thorough consideration and clear communication has made it much easier to understand the process. Jane is always respectful and helpful regarding family memebers and making sure everyone is being considered in relation to the finances.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes and it has been very helpful to look at all the possible options in order to get the outcome we hoped for.

What could they have done better?

Jane has been very thoughtful and has always replied quickly to emails. Her work has been excellent and I can’t think of any ways she could have been better.

Jane's reply

Dear Kate, thank you so much for the review. It has been a challenging case but hopefully we have found the best solution and will be hoping it all works out for you and the entire family.

Review from verified client

September, 2022

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

We did not know who could help are friend Stephen who had his pension swindled from him

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Put a very lot of work in and relayed everything back to us in lament terms for us to understand

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes definitely

What could they have done better?

Nothing

Jane's reply

Thank you Stephen/Clare- we are just so sorry that Stephen was put in that position in the first place. Not sure how these people sleep at night!.

Review from verified client

May, 2022

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

To fund my parents care needs.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane had an initial remote meeting with me . She listened to and understood my situation quickly. She was caring and empathetic in her approach. She gave sensible advice. She was efficient and responsive.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

The situation changed so we had to make alternative plans but I am maintaining contact with Jane and am likely to go back for further advice.

What could they have done better?

The costs of the services are quite high but I can see that had I been in a position to proceed with taking up the products then this would have been relatively offset.

Jane's reply

Thanks very much for the review. Will be great to be able to get this finished off for you when you are in position to do so. Regards Jane

Review from verified client

April, 2022

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

BEING AN EX PAT BUT PAYING UK TAX

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

She is supportive, patient in answering my questions and very approachable.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

not yet as still on going

Review from verified client

March, 2022

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

The transfer of my pension

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane is extremely helpful and easy to talk to. She is knowledgeable, empathetic and makes sure that you are aware of any implications. Good value for money.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing to improve, excellent service

Jane's reply

You are very welcome Faye and very happy to help.

Review from verified client

March, 2022

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I was approaching retirement and wanted to ensure that my finances were in order.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

She has advised me on financial planning in the lead up to my retirement and has undertaken a financial health check and offered further advice since I retired. She has been particularly helpful in tax 7 inheritance planning.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, she has offered me clear and, I believe, good advice.

What could they have done better?

Sometimes responses take a while. But I suspect that this is due to pressured of work and health issues.

Jane's reply

Thanks Mike- much appreciated and yes illness slowed me down quite a bit this year. Regards Jane

Review from verified client

December, 2021

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I was looking to transfer a Defined Benefit pension into a SIPP.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Provided financial assessment and investment proposals, referral to Pension Advice Specialists for the actual pension transfer assessment. There is a huge amount of information, forms and hand-offs between various parties, all of which has been handled with extreme professionalism by Jane and her team.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, high quality advice was received and support through the administration actions.

What could they have done better?

Online communications and document storage used the Personal Finance Portal, which works effectively. Cannot fault the service.

Jane's reply

Much appreciated Neil.

Review from verified client

November, 2021

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I needed professional financial advice with a view to transferring out of my company DB final salary pension scheme.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane helped me to successfully transfer out of my existing company defined benefit final salary pension scheme.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, I am very pleased with the outcome Jane Hodges has achieved for me.

What could they have done better?

I felt that they could have given me more information about what lay ahead and where I was in the process. Perhaps a list of the process steps which were ticked off when completed might have been helpful.

Jane's reply

Thanks Julian and your points are all noted. X

Review from verified client

September, 2021

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Wanting to transfer a DB pension to SIPP/Drawdown.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Great unbiased advice. Very professional service and excellent value for money.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes.

Jane's reply

That is lovely Nick and so pleased you got the outcome you were looking for- all set for the next phase of your lives. Regards Jane

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

August, 2021

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Jane

Hi, at the start of my pension transfer process I was concerned about who I could trust with so much money at stake. Fortunately I was recommended Jane by a friend and I am very happy with my choice. Jane and her team have done a great job for me and I am happy to recommend her to others. It took a while to get used to using the online portal, but we got there in the end. Thanks Jane for all your patience and help.

Jane's reply

Thanks Julian- it is lovely to get a review like that and great that PAS were able to deliver the advice you needed. Regards Jane

Review from verified client

August, 2021

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Need to transfer via CETV a DB pension to get best value from the fund

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Very good, clear and patient advice from the start. Jane found time in a busy diary to sort the issues out.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes there has been a successful outcome.

What could they have done better?

na

Jane's reply

Thanks Jon- it is lovely to get a review like that and great that PAS were able to deliver the advice you needed. Regards Jane

Review from verified client

March, 2021

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Couldn't get out without one

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane understood why I wanted the funds and helped me achieve it. All other advisors bluntly said no, not very helpful when you have health issues.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing I can think of.

Review from verified client

March, 2021

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I'm an expat living in Singapore and needed advice on a potential Defined Benefit Pension Transfer.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

I much preferred the "on-line" only model, particularly as I live overseas, and online doesn't mean their is no physical interaction, Jane and I have a few Zoom calls to discuss her advice, make decisions on investments etc. Jane charges a fee rather than a commission, which as a consumer gave me great confidence that the advice provided was impartial and in my interests. She uses an independent pension transfer advice company to do the pension transfer analysis, and this is very thorough. She doesn't "recommend" a transfer, just lays out all the facts in a clear, easy to understand way, to enable an informed decision. Once I decided to transfer, then Jane worked with me to build the Investments portfolios for the SIPP.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, the process takes quite a time, but she regularly provides updates on status, the transfer is now complete, and the proceeds invested. In terms of Investment performance, it's too soon to tell as the portfolio's are all long term, but Jane listened to what I wanted, and has built some nice portfolios across a range of currencies, and a good balance of passive and active funds, so I'm comfortable. Since the initial enquiry I have placed all of my UK investments and Insurance holdings under her care, which is an indication of how much I trust her

What could they have done better?

Everything looks good so far, I am very comfortable with my decision. I am using two platforms, as I wanted some multi-currency portfolios, and Jane is still working with one of the portfolios to automate the feeds into the portal for a consolidated view, however this is a minor issue really, as there is still full transparency, I can see both platforms independently through their apps/websites.

Review from verified client

March, 2021

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I wanted to transfer two pensions from old employers into one that belonged to me.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

She gave financial advice that allowed the transfer to take place, and organised the transfer.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Because everything was on-line, it was hard to speak to anyone. At times this was very stressful - a brief phone call could have saved days of hassle and worry. So being more available on the phone would have really helped.

Jane's reply

Thanks Jeremy - much appreciated. As you are aware our model is very much about keeping costs low and using the client portal as much as possible but if that wasn’t clear initially we will try and make sure this is in our original messages for future -we can always do videoconference meetings whenever needed as well- we are just not geared up for inbound phone calls Thanks very much for the feedback and we will see how we can make this clearer for future.

Review from verified client

January, 2021

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I was looking for a financial advisor who could provide regulated advise for Expats living in Europe.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane was able to to help me reposition my funds into modern pension products and to help me review the various pensions I had. I needed to work out which order to access them and when, so that I could fulfill a long held dream.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, I now have the financial reach I need, as a result of Janes insight.

What could they have done better?

It's been a very longtime since I've experienced this level of service - it's thorough, considered, ethical and fast.

Jane's reply

Thank you very much- we very much look forward to seeing the photos once everything is completed. Jane and Richard

Review from verified client

January, 2021

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I needed to make a good arrangement for my FSAVC as I was very close to the age of 75. I wanted an adviser with a SOLLA qualification whom I could have complete confidence in.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

A very systematic review of our personal finances was undertaken, and then a questionnaire to test our willingness to accept risk. I wanted to have my funds invested ethically and indeed for positive good as regards the environment and social impact. I was delighted that Jane was able to explore this for us as part of a Drawdown arrangement, as well as opening the possibility of beneficiary pensions for our children. Jane has opened my eyes to other possibilities that I need to explore as regards estate planning and investment. She is highly knowledgeable and forward thinking on our behalf. A caring professional who wants to do the best for her client. I have great confidence in her.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. Jane tuned into our financial needs with much sensitivity and insight, She found an exciting ethical investment fund, with graduated degrees of risk. This matched our requirements exactly. The transfer of my pension fund was duly expedited. In all ways Jane and her colleague were very friendly, expert and eager to explain matters. They were both very efficient and quick to answer our queries: an outstanding quality of service. The portal became a trusted and effective way to operate. Online meetings with Jane and later her colleague were a great way to establish a rapport and help come to key decisions.

What could they have done better?

Really great all round. I could give four stars only on value because I had not done comparisons with other advisers.

Review from verified client

January, 2021

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I am looking at moving my DB pension to SIPP

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane provided lots of information including a 20 min podcast to listen to about the pros and cons of moving DB pensions which was very informative. She is very responsive to my questions and her replies are clear and concise. All the information, documents and emails are stored and accessed through a portal which is very easy to use .

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes I have got the outcome I wanted

What could they have done better?

Nothing so far - I am happy with the advice and level of communication I have received from Jane.

Jane's reply

Thank you very much Susan- much appreciated. We will let the Pension Transfer Specialist know you were happy with the experience as well.

Review from verified client

September, 2020

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Needed to move UK pension schemes into a vehicle accessible from Canada

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Identified an unexpected opportunity to transfer funds out of the UK to Canada making future drawdown far simpler

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

Jane's reply

You are very welcome Paul- and hope you can now enjoy the hard-earned monies. I will pass on your thanks to Trinity Wealth Canada as well. From MHFP team.

Review from verified client

August, 2020

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I wanted to review my pension options, especially as I now live overseas.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane was thorough in her review of my options, which were a little more difficult given that I now live overseas which limited some of the products that were available to me.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes.

Review from verified client

August, 2020

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I was converting a UK based DB pension and considered I was receiving compromised advice to move to a QROPS with high fees. I also had two other pensions outside the UK, and a few other investments, and wished to incorporate all of these into a comprehensive investment strategy. I wished to have a strong, knowledgeable investment and financial planning professional to challenge my own planning and to improve my investment approach.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane advised and executed the conversion of the UK based DB pension into a UK based SIPP with sensible costs, and advised on suitable investment funds. We're now moving on to the next stage consisting of tax planning, releasing another pension outside the UK, and medium term investment planning.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

So far yes. The DB conversion has been confirmed by the DB provider, and funds are expected to be transferred shortly. We have had fruitful discussions on investment approaches, and I am hopeful we will develop a solid investment plan in the coming months. The transfer of one of the non UK pensions has not yet started and is much less time critical than the UK DB conversion was.

What could they have done better?

Overall I am happy with Jane and her team. However, there were several occasions where timelines were given that turned out to be too optimistic, and there is a slight tendency on the team's part to gloss over difficulties, so I found that I needed to manage the process a little more (and in more detail) than I would have expected. This was not a big issue, more a matter of frustration than being seriously problematic, and would emphasise that ultimately the outcome was met with enough time to spare, but it is an area that could be improved.

Review from verified client

July, 2020

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I was recommended to Jane by my brother who had used her for his retirement planning and was very pleased with her advice and responsiveness. Initially I had consulted an alternative advisor who had failed to provide any report or advice in over 6 months. I was getting very close to the date I wanted to retire and had no planning in place.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane absolutely understood the urgency of my situation and I have been very pleased with how quickly she was able to put appropriate plans in place - even in an industry where the wheels grind particularly slowly.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

I have been very pleased with the process and the tools and reporting that Jane has provided. Jane is very responsive and her advice has always been clear and sensible. I am happy with the outcome.

What could they have done better?

Given the very poor experience I had received via a different provider, I can't find any fault in the process I've been through with Jane to date.

Review from verified client

July, 2020

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I had a pension with a company that did not allow drawdown payments. I wanted a drawdown type of pension pot and, because I do not live in the UK, it was difficult for me to transfer my pension as many UK pension companies do not operate outside of the UK. I hoped that a financial adviser could assist in finding a pension company that could provide me with a drawdown type of pension.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

I found Jane Hodges on the FCA list of financial advisers and selected her because of her qualifications, Chartered, PT Gold Standard, Solla. I explained my requirements to Jane, MoneyHoney Financial Planning, and she thought she could find a UK pension company that was able to provide me with the type of drawdown pension that I required even though I was living outside of the UK.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. Jane has found a pension company that can provide me with the type of drawdown pension that I require even though I am living outside of the UK. She has arranged for the pension plan with my previous company, (that did not allow a drawdown arrangement), to be transferred to my new pension company which provides me with a drawdown arrangement even though I am living outside of the UK.

What could they have done better?

This process has taken some time. We began our discussions in early February and we are just now beginning to see the end of the transfer, mid July. There is not one specific reason for the delay but the Corona Virus has certainly not helped. It takes time to discuss requirements and evaluate the available options and, when there are multiple actors involved, it is best to take time in consideration rather than move too quickly. Jane Hodges, MoneyHoney FInacial Planning, have been attentive, always responding quickly to my questions. They have a solid, secure method of communication, arranged telephone or video-link meetings and gave me confidence that they are acting on my behalf.

Jane's reply

Thank you Gordon, this is much appreciated. Regards Jane and the Team

Review from verified client

July, 2020

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I was transferring my pension from one company to another and Jane helped with the process.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane provided guidance I needed to make sure all required regulations were met for the transfer. Jane helped with finding a company that could handle my special circumstances.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes everything went very smoothly.

What could they have done better?

Jane and her team are excellent communicators' always keeping me in loop with the latest status. I was very persistent always asking questions and they were always patient and forthcoming with information.

Jane's reply

Roy- that feedback is so appreciated and we have enjoyed working with you throughout- there is never anything wrong with questions.

Review from verified client

July, 2020

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I was looking for a specialist who could help facilitate the transfer of my Pension to a SIPP and then offer the best advice on investing the funds wisely.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane oversaw the transfer while arranging for me to take regulated, independent advice on whether a transfer was in my best interests or not. She then arranged for the funds to be invested in manner that suits my desired end result.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Most definitely.

What could they have done better?

Given the specific circumstances, I'm not a British national and no longer live in the UK, I don't think Jane and her team could have improved on their service.

Jane's reply

Thank you so much for the rating- we were very pleased to help and what was also great was getting all the moving parts to work even in lockdown- so that includes the trustees (accepting electronic communications) and provider who made sure they didn't miss a beat as well.

Review from verified client

March, 2020

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Having moved to Spain, not able to find a reputable advisor in Spain, so looked for a UK adviser with passporting permissions.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

She researched all options for my UK private pensions and recommended financial vehicles that I could consolidate my pensions into one flexible pension scheme.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, I have transferred my various pensions into one SIPP.

What could they have done better?

Nothing. She works virtually and remotely - which suits me perfectly. Everything is conducted through a secure finance portal.

Jane's reply

That is so kind of you- have really enjoyed working with you to get everything sorted out. Regards Jane and the team

Review from verified client

January, 2020

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Wanted to transfer pension

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane was fantastic, she delivered exactly what we wanted, all queries and questions were answered promptly and she managed to complete the whole process in an extremely short timeline.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Absolutely

What could they have done better?

Nothing, she was great from start to finish

Jane's reply

That is very kind of you- and would love to hear about your travels. Regards Jane

Review from verified client

January, 2020

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Transferring a defined benefit scheme to a personal pension - over £30K therefore requirement to receive independent advice.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane was very helpful in setting out the various options to me; discussing each one in detail, including the risks associated with each option. She also provided comprehensive reports, simulators and forecasts so that I could make a well-informed decision. We conversed via Skype, at my convenience, which was a great help.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes.

What could they have done better?

I'm being picky, but some of the paperwork requests to me could have been made 'en masse' rather than on an ad-hoc basis. However, these were very easy to upload to the MoneyHoney portal so this wasn't a big deal.

Jane's reply

Thank you- and we will pick up your point and take a look- we often split as documents have to go to different places and sometimes trustees ask for things later in the process but thanks for feedback and we will see what we can do. Regards Jane

Review from verified client

January, 2020

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Transferring two pensions into a SIPP, one was a Defined Benefit.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane walked me through all of the options, gave me advice on exactly how to go through the transfer procedures.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes - one has already been transferred and i have access to the 25% lump sum and the other is in process.

What could they have done better?

i think the system worked well. Jane and her team was very responsive and easy to understand.

Jane's reply

Much appreciated and good luck with all your plans- we wish you every success with everything. Regards Jane

Review from verified client

December, 2019

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

It's a regulatory requirement as I was wanting to transfer out of a Defined Benefit pension scheme

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane undertook the required analysis, helped me understand the risks involved, clarify my investment approach for drawdown and then guided me through the actual transfer process whilst coordinating with my sipp platform provider.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Not quite yet but it's in progress and Jane has been efficient and very communicative throughout.

What could they have done better?

There have been a few minor niggles with the operation of a secure website that Jane uses for data transfer with clients but these have been reported to the website provider and should be resolved soon.

Review from verified client

December, 2019

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Pension transfer advice & managment

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane reviewed my situation & researched all my options to advise me on pension transfer. the information i was provided with was accessable & understandable & I was always encouraged to ask quastions to ensure i understood the information & implications.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

yes, i am transfering my pension feeling that i have all the information to make an informed decision

Review from verified client

December, 2019

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I was considering a transfer out of a DB Pension scheme

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

The process and use of technology worked really well. The use of video meetings for face to face interaction and the online tools for two-way communication and information sharing made a complex topic easier to understand. As we went though the process Jane was always available to answer my many questions and I learned a significant amount along the way. Your pension and the decisions about it have huge consequences and Jane did a great job of helping me understand that, point out all the benefits and risks and ultimately help me make an informed decision.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Definitely yes. The outcome is slightly different to what I envisaged at the start, but with Jane's advice, the outcome is the right one.

What could they have done better?

Nothing - 5 Star !

Jane's reply

Much appreciated- so pleased we were able to help you get to the right decision.

Review from verified client

November, 2019

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Transferring from defined company pension schene

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Excellent advice and clearly articulating my long term strategy

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Advice provided which I have considered and executing advice received

What could they have done better?

N/a

Jane's reply

Thanks for the review- much appreciated. Regards Jane

Review from verified client

November, 2019

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I have a small defined benefit pension and wanted to move it so I could use it to drawdown additional income now instead of waiting until my normal pensionable age. To do this I was obliged to use the services of an IFA who was registered to advise on pension transfers. I spoke to 4 others before talking to Jane. As soon as I explained my circumstances Jane was incredibly supportive.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane could see what advice I would need and explained the process very clearly. She outlined how things would work and gave clear information about fees. There was no pressure just clear facts and explanations. The service was excellent, fast and Jane answered all my questions and gradually built up a picture of my financial position. She was able to understand my personal circumstances straight away and took the time to explain every step. She gave me confidence.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Cant think of anything additional.

Jane's reply

Thank you very much- really pleased I was able to make it so clear for you and hope all your plans can now work out. Regards Jane

Review from verified client

November, 2019

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I needed to transfer my defined benefit pension into a SIPP due to the extremely low level of gilt yields and my need to have flexibility/

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

From start to finish.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

100%

What could they have done better?

She was perfect

Jane's reply

It was a pleasure to work with you and thank you so much for taking the trouble to do this. Thanks Jane

Review from verified client

October, 2019

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I have a DB pension which I was looking to transfer so as to release funds.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane gave me all the help and advice I needed to make a decision.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Its still ongoing but it's looking positive.

What could they have done better?

I think everything was done correctly so nothing could be improved .

Jane's reply

thank you for your review Tony and hope it all goes well

Review from verified client

October, 2019

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I was looking for advice in relation to a pension from a previous employer with a view to transferring the sum into another pension pot I already have.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane looked at the figures involved, calculated my future financial requirements and considered a number of possible future scenarios.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

The final report summarised the alternative outcomes, and the recommendation matched my needs and requirements exactly.

What could they have done better?

I was very happy with the paperless interactions with Jane, and use of online solutions; therefore I don’t feel that there was anything Jane could have done better!

Jane's reply

Thank you Nigel- that is lovely.

Review from verified client

September, 2019

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Transferring my pension, where i can take a tax free lump sum and re-invest the remaining funds.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane explained the risks and benefits of transferring the pension, of both keeping it where it was, or transferring it, in plain English that was easy to understand.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Hopefully ( still ongoing )

What could they have done better?

I think Jane was clear and precise at all times, can't think of anything Jane could have done any better than she did.

Jane's reply

Thank you Steve- all sorted as of today. Much appreciated. Regards Jane

Review from verified client

August, 2019

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Opportunity to release a pre employment pension fund that was no longer being contributed into. As I am still in employment with the existing take over company this allowed me to release funds into my estate and take control of the future investments with support from Jane.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Explaining in detail the pros and cons around share portfolio investments, the risk involved and being prepared if it didn’t work out as planned. Advised in contingencies against to much risk but also offers advice for the benefits of risk. The shear amount that I didn’t know was explained in detail and in language that I understood and kept in.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

The outcome is now better than I expected because of the knowledge I now have and how to explore and grow those opportunities, whilst being armed with the guidance and support to manage investments.

What could they have done better?

Possibly advised from the outset to a newby like myself the shear amount of learning and documentation required, this is only from my experience as I was trying to listen and learn dutiable work time and breaks but this really needs a clear head and dedicated quiet time with Jane. This lesson is now learnt by me, very time we have an appointment in future I will be 100% focused.

Jane's reply

Mark- it was a pleasure to sort this out for you and your focus was much appreciated even with your pressing work commitments- looking forward to working with you longer term. We will try and make it clearer what will be needed upfront so future clients understand- we think it is so important that these decisions are well understood before your final decision is made. Regards Jane

Review from verified client

July, 2019

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Wished to transfer pension from DB to DC scheme

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Sorted all the relevant issues out while at the same time looking out for my best interest.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Still ongoing

What could they have done better?

Nothing so far

Jane's reply

Spencer- thank you for taking the trouble to do this. Regards Jane and the team.

Review from verified client

July, 2019

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I wanted to transfer a pension with my employer to a SIPP

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane provided practical advice, explained the risks and executed the transfer

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

n/a

Jane's reply

Tracy- thank you for taking the trouble to do this. Regards Jane and the team.

Review from verified client

June, 2019

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I needed access to my pension fund. After a PensionWise appointment I decided which option to go for. My provider told me that I would need to transfer elsewhere. I researched the market and chose a new provider. In order to complete the transfer I needed to obtain independent financial advice. I contacted several IFAs and for various reason none of them were able to work in this way.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane reviewed my circumstances, advised me on my options and agreed with proposed transfer.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

No. She was perfect!

Jane's reply

Much appreciated Chris- I like being perfect. Regards Jane and the team.

Review from verified client

May, 2019

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I had to find a Financial Advisir that dealt with Pension Transfers

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

We spoke at first, whereby she listened to what I want, then she informed me of the pros and cons of a Transfer, the implications and before starting the ball rolling, ensure that I was clear on what I could expect

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, I have and that is thanks to Jane and her staff. Prompt and quick detailed responses to queries and questions every step of the way

What could they have done better?

There is nothing that could have been done better, the service was excellent and thorough

Jane's reply

Thank you Colleen- so please we were able to help. Regards Jane and the team.

Review from verified client

May, 2019

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I need an IFA to guide me through the transfer of a final salary pension to my SIPP.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane provided me with a very comprehensive, ground up view of the pros and cons of a transfer. She and her team were very thorough and professional and were always on hand to answer queries and address issues. Jane was clear and frank about the issues I faced when she needed to be and at no time was steered by my views or intentions - in short, she gave me completely professional and impartial advice. I shan't hesitate to use Jane again when I need additional financial advice about my retirement.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes.

What could they have done better?

I am not sure that she could have done anything better. My request was fairly straightforward and I think Jane has probably provided the same to many other clients, so it was a trouble free process.

Jane's reply

Thanks Simon- we try really hard to make sure we impartial and clear about everything so pleased to know it is happening. Regards Jane and the team

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

May, 2019

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Jane

Overal, Jane enabled me to feel relaxed and at ease. l am confident in her skills and qualifications to fulfill the work that I need. I like her no-nonsense approach and will certainly recommend her services as required,

Review from verified client

May, 2019

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I have been looking at transferring my deferred Local Government pension over a long period of time. I approached Jane to look at this for me.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane was extremely approachable and very thorough in reviewing every aspect of potentially transferring my deferred pension. We discussed the situation in great depth to ensure that no part was overlooked and that I was fully aware of the situation.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

I really do not think Jane could have done anything more, she was thorough all the way through.

Review from verified client

May, 2019

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I am 62 and had no idea what my financial position would be after retirement.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

With every aspect establishing my current income and outgoings; locating my multiple pensions and evaluating their value for money and advising on options; a cash-flow planner

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes and I will continue to work with Jane as my circumstances evolve

What could they have done better?

Nothing - jane was very patient with my lack initial lack of understanding of all things pensio planning and I came to understand my position and the choices I have which is very empowering

Jane's reply

Sue, that is really kind of you and much appreciated. We are enjoying working with you. Regards Jane

Review from verified client

April, 2019

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Needed to transfer a Defined Benefit Pension into a Sipp

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

As it is obligatory to receive independent financial advice I looked around for a suitable IFA. Jane arranged the necessary procedures in which to have the pension transferred. Many IFA's will not provide the advice or Sip Providers will not accept a DB Transferred if the advice is not to proceed. Jane stated that she has navigated this route before and would be able to have my Pension transferred.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Jane was honest and direct in here dealing with me. She told me what I did not wish to hear but explained the reasoning behind her recommendation. This was after a though analysis of my situation and attitude to risk. She was not simply telling me the good news for the sake of pleasing a client but giving no nonsense advice in a professional manner. She understood the reasons for the transfer and the situation of having to pay for an IFA in order to do so.

What could they have done better?

Both Jane and her P.A Rachael we very helpful throughout. They went above and beyond in their service. Jane was consistent in terms of how she articulated her knowledge in a manner that commanded respect and authority in her subject and the flexibility of the delivery assisted by Rachael her P.A.

Jane's reply

Dear Peter, this review is much appreciated and we wish you good fortune with all of your plans. Regards Jane

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

April, 2019

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Jane

We have not sealed a transaction yet but so far I am very happy!

Review from verified client

April, 2019

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

My mother was in receipt of a large sum of money as a result of the sale of her house.

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Jane gave us options for the how to invest the money long term in view of the need for mum to cover her care / living costs

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, after reviewing all the options that Jane provided.

What could they have done better?

None

Jane's reply

Dear Anthony- thank you for this review and look forward to working with you to help your Mum over the coming years. Regards Money Honey Team

Review from verified client

March, 2019

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Pension advise

How has Jane Hodges helped you?

Excellent reviews of risk, cash flow and merits of differing options

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?