Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about D G Financial Services Ltd
Frequently Asked Questions
What is D G Financial Services?
Are you regulated?
What does 'independent' mean?
How long have you been in business?
Getting Started
How do I book an initial consultation?
Is there a charge for the first meeting?
You can schedule an online meeting through our website booking system, call us on 01379 454508, or use our contact form. Initial consultations allow us to understand your needs and explain how we can help.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
To make the most of your initial consultation, please bring any relevant financial documents such as pension statements, investment portfolios, mortgage details, insurance policies, and information about your income and expenses. However, don’t worry if you don’t have everything – we can request documents as needed.
Do you work with clients across the UK?
We work with clients throughout Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and London. We offer both in-person meetings and online consultations to accommodate your preferences and location.
Our Services
What services do you offer?
We provide comprehensive financial planning services including:
Retirement planning and pensions
Investment advice and portfolio management
Financial protection and insurance
Equity release (Lifetime Mortgages)
Inheritance tax planning
Long-term care planning
Trust services
Life and general insurance
Can you help with my workplace pension?
Absolutely. We can review your workplace pension, advise on contribution levels, investment choices, and help you understand how it fits into your overall retirement strategy.
Can you help reduce my inheritance tax liability?
Inheritance tax planning is one of our specialist areas. We can help you understand your potential liability and implement strategies to protect more of your wealth for your beneficiaries, such as gifting strategies, trusts, and other tax-efficient solutions.
Fees and Charges
How do you charge for your services?
We operate on a transparent fee basis which we will explain clearly before providing any services. Our fees may be structured as a percentage of assets, fixed fees, or hourly rates depending on the service required. We will always agree fees with you in advance.
Will you tell me your fees before I commit?
Yes, absolutely. We believe in complete transparency. We will provide you with clear information about our fees before you commit to any services, so you can make an informed decision.
Are your fees tax-deductible?
Some financial advice fees may be tax-deductible depending on your circumstances and the nature of the advice. We can discuss this with you during our consultation.
Investment and Planning
What is your investment philosophy?
We believe in creating diversified, risk-appropriate portfolios tailored to each client’s individual circumstances, goals, and risk tolerance. We continuously monitor the financial markets to ensure your investments remain suitable and aligned with your objectives.
How often will you review my financial plan?
We recommend regular reviews to ensure your financial plan remains on track. The frequency depends on your individual circumstances, but typically we suggest annual reviews at a minimum, with more frequent contact if your situation changes significantly.
What happens if my circumstances change?
We encourage you to contact us whenever your circumstances change significantly – whether that’s a new job, inheritance, marriage, divorce, or any other life event. We can then review and adjust your financial plan accordingly.
How do you assess my attitude to investment risk?
We use a comprehensive risk-profiling process that considers both your financial capacity for risk and your emotional tolerance for investment volatility. This ensures we recommend investments that suit your personal circumstances and help you sleep well at night.
Retirement Planning
When should I start planning for retirement?
The earlier you start, the better. Even small contributions made early can grow significantly over time thanks to compound interest. However, it’s never too late to start planning – we can help at any stage of your financial journey.
Can you help me understand my pension options?
Yes, we specialise in helping clients understand their pension options, including consolidating old pensions, maximising tax relief, choosing between drawdown and annuities, and planning when to access your pension.
What is pension drawdown?
Pension drawdown allows you to keep your pension invested while taking an income from it. This offers flexibility but comes with investment risk. We can help you determine if drawdown is suitable for your circumstances.
Protection and Insurance
What types of protection do you advise on?
We advise on all forms of financial protection including life insurance, critical illness cover, income protection, mortgage protection, and general insurance needs. We assess your circumstances to recommend appropriate cover levels.
Do I really need life insurance?
If you have financial dependents – such as a spouse, partner, or children – life insurance ensures they’re financially protected if something happens to you. We can help you determine the appropriate level of cover for your situation.
Contact and Communication
How can I contact you?
You can call us on 01379 454508, email us through our website contact form, or schedule an online meeting directly through our booking system.
How quickly will you respond to my queries?
We aim to respond to all queries within one business day. For urgent matters, please call us directly.
Do you offer online meetings?
Yes, we offer both in-person and online meetings via video conferencing to suit your preferences and schedule.
Regulatory and Security
How is my personal information protected?
We take data protection very seriously and comply with UK GDPR regulations. Your personal and financial information is stored securely and only used for the purposes of providing you with financial advice.
What protection do I have as your client?
As an FCA-regulated firm, we must meet strict regulatory standards. Additionally, you may be covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) which provides protection if a regulated firm is unable to meet its obligations.