Citizens Advice names Pension Wise delivery centres

Citizens Advice has released the names of the first 44 bureaux in England and Wales which will be delivery centres for face to face Pension Wise sessions.

Each delivery centre will have between three and seven paid members of highly trained staff providing pensions guidance. Staff numbers will depend on local population and size of area covered by the delivery centre.

Face to face Pension Wise appointments will be available at delivery centre bureaux. The bureaux will also use a range of outreach locations to deliver guidance throughout England and Wales to ensure maximum access to the face to face service. People will be able to go into any Citizens Advice Bureau to find out about the Pension Wise service, whether they’re eligible and be referred to book in with the nearest delivery centre. People will also be able to access guidance and information over the phone from The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS) and online through the Pensions Wise website.

Citizens Advice is working with the Treasury to make sure as many people as possible can easily access a face to face Pension wise session. To maximise coverage the charity is expected to announce a small number of extra delivery centres soon.

Citizens Advice has had an excellent response to its recruitment drive for Pension Wise agents and caseworkers. People recruited to both roles will receive rigorous training and will deliver the pensions guidance as developed by HMT, TPAS and Citizens Advice. Staff will be assessed to ensure they meet FCA standards before they start offering guidance to the public.

Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:

‘Pensions guidance will be crucial in helping people understand their options as they approach retirement age. These 44 Citizens Advice Bureaux selected as delivery centres will be key to bringing the Pension Wise service to life and making sure that as many people as possible can access the guidance.’

The first Citizens Advice Bureaux which will be Pension Wise delivery centres

Notes to editors:

1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
3. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk. You can also get advice online at adviceguide.org.uk
4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers
5. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.3 million clients on 5.4 million problems from October 2013 to September 2014. For full 2013/2014  service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends
6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.