Ahead of the Government’s planned merger in 2018 to combine the Money Advice Service (MAS), The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS) and Pension Wise into a single consumer facing body, TPAS and MAS have launched an integrated webchat service. A key objective of this new initiative will be to re-direct individuals with queries to the right support more effectively.

Individuals with pension queries will be directed to TPAS while those with money matters will be supported by MAS. Pension Wise will continue to provide a free ‘at retirement’ guidance service.

Chief executive of MAS, Charles Counsell, said: “It's important for customers to get the specialist guidance they need and we’re really delighted that we are now able to directly transfer our web based customers to TPAS when those customers have questions related to pensions”.