Targeted support

From 6 April 2026 we may be able to pay you compensation if you received unsuitable targeted support and lost money because of it. The firm must have gone out of business and must have been regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) at the time it provided the targeted support. You can check this on the Financial Services Register.

Targeted support can only be provided by firms that hold the specific FCA permission for this activity. Even well‑established regulated firms must apply for this permission before they can offer targeted support. Customers should check the Financial Services Register to confirm that a firm held the targeted support permission when they received the support.

The FCA gateway for applications opened in March 2026.

How we protect customers

Targeted support provider claims
If an authorised firm fails and cannot meet claims arising from its targeted support activities, FSCS will protect that firm’s customers, subject to FSCS’s eligibility rules. We work closely with the failed firm, the FCA and, where appointed, the insolvency practitioner to make sure we have the information we need to assess claims fairly.

Compensation limits
For all types of targeted support claims, you are protected up to £85,000 per eligible person, per firm.

What is targeted support?

Targeted support is a form of regulated support that was introduced in April 2026. It is designed to help groups of customers with similar needs or circumstances to make informed decisions about their pensions and investments. It allows firms to provide suggestions or prompts that are relevant to those groups.

However, targeted support is not personalised advice. It does not take account of an individual customer’s specific situation. The purpose of targeted support is to bridge the gap between general guidance and fully bespoke financial advice.

How can I check?

You can search our list of failed firms.

All you need to do is enter the firm’s name or firm reference number (FRN). This is a unique number that’s allocated to all firms that are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). You can find a firm’s FRN on the FCA’s Financial Services Register.

If the firm has failed, we will have a webpage with information about what to do next. You can also subscribe to email updates about the firm at the bottom of that page.

How long will it take for compensation to be paid?

We aim to investigate claims as quickly as possible. Every claim is unique and can be complex. We can’t predict exactly how long it will be before we can give you a decision.

We outline how long it’s currently taking to complete eight out of 10 claims for each type of product that we protect on our website.

We will update this page with an average for targeted support claims as and when we start to process them. We will work as quickly as possible to resolve any claims that arise.

Where can I complain?

If you have a complaint against a targeted support provider that is currently trading, you may be able to refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

You will need to have made a complaint to the provider you are unhappy about first.