Aegon considers commission methods

Aegon is looking at its method of remunerating advisers selling protection products.

The provider may soon offer an element of level commission alongside indemnity commission.

Speaking at an Aegon breakfast briefing, Peter Chadborne, principal at CBK Colchester, asked why it was not possible for advisers to take part of the commission as level commission.

He said: "Indemnity commission seems to be all or nothing at the moment. If you ask providers why they make no other provision they say there is no call for it. Well there might not be now, but there will be nearer the RDR. I don't see why we are able to do this with protection but not protection."

Alun Beynon, head of sales and distribution at Aegon, replied: "In post 2012 world, I support indemnity commission because we will still need distributors. But we need to manage the industry away from indemnity commission towards level commission.

"A good example would be 50% indemnity commission and level due route. That will improve consistency. After all there is an assumption that policies are going to be re-broked in seven years. I suspect other providers will do this too."

However the move is not immanent. "It would be better to do it now, but its resource availability," said Beynon.

He emphasized that 100% indemnity commission would continue, adding that if the industry stopped indemnity commission the bulk internet sellers would collapse.