Hartley Pensions - SIPPs, SSAS, ISAs & More

I am another unfortunate who had a Berkeley Burke SIPP taken over by this company. They are currently ignoring requests to release my files to a legal firm acting on my behalf, yet they had the cheek to send me another fee invoice for managing my worthless investments recently.

I would advise anyone to avoid this company at all costs, they behave like barefaced thieves and are just as bad as Berkeley Burke were. If it was possible to give them no stars I would.

These guys have sat on MY money for years,! They deduct an annual fee, for doing sweet FA! They have failed to send Bank Statements since 2018! They do not send out requested forms to withdraw my pension! They DON'T answer emails! They are a shambolic company and I will be taking the matter up with the Financial Conduct Authority! There is no professional personal touch!

Reading the reviews that berrate Hartley they mostly eminate from people who have had failed SIPPS transferred to them. The failure is in the Berkley Burke and Greyfriars who went into administration and yet people are moaning at Hartley. Hartley have to charge fees or they too will go bust. You need to get pension advice as a SIPP is clearly not for you. As for Hartley, I have to say they have proven a very competent company to date for me.

So I see Hartley Pensions have gone into Administration, the cash cow that they thought was Berkeley Burke SIPP policy holders and other SIPP companies has been their downfall. The FCA were aware of their actions yet did nothing. I suspect we will be moved onto another reputable company to fleece us of the little we have left. Shameful.

After being missold a SIPP many years ago I had a lucky escape and didn't sign the store pod agreement that was being set up by Berkeley Burke as it sounded far too risky, so thankfully missed out and didn't loose everything. It was then transferred to the Prudential, however was never fully explained that I would be paying the Prudential fees direct from the pension pot, plus would be sent an annual bill for management fees from BB meaning the pension value is decreasing over time.

Roll on several years, the cash account is empty, BB now gone bust have been transferred to Hartley are still sending invoices for management fees. I've spent 5 years and 2 different financial advisors trying to get information from them to allow a transfer out. It took a formal complaint and very dogged determination from my current financial advisor for the transfer out information to be released. 6 weeks after the transfer out request was submitted to Hartley they announced that all transfers are suspended.

Yet again blocking all attempts for investors to get hold of their money. I've written off the pension and am now wondering how much I will owe them when I reach retirement age

I phoned up in september 2022, they said I had a lump sum, so I filled out the document to have my entire pension, sent it of on the 12th October 2022 had no reply, phoned up yesterday 3rd January 2023 I cant have my entire pension also got to leave £2000.00 in because with hartley being into administration. Also noticed I'm losing money each time I ask how much pension I got

Hartley took over my Berkeley Burke SIPP when BB went into administration following court proceedings, I had no realistic choice but to accept this as my investments were deemed toxic and no one else would accept them.
The FSCS took on BB claims and agreed that they had failed in Duty of Care. I received full compensation for my investments and fees paid to that date. Hartley were aware of these FSCS investigations into all BB claimants.
I had £2000 remaining in my SIPP that was uninvested, when i then transfered this to another provider Hartley saw fit to charge a £350 closure fee and £680 annual admin fee. So despite the FSCS ruling that the original Pension transfer into BB was an unregulated transfer, Hartley dipped the fingers in my wallet as I was leaving the room. Back I go to the FSCS

I have found Hartley to have an absolutely excellent administration process. There are a lot of complaints about them "scamming" people but this just shows a complete lack of understanding of the industry. They don't advise clients on what investments to hold within their products and are not responsible for their performance. The SIPP, SSAS and ISA wrappers they hold are fit for purpose and their company operates at a higher level than most competitors.