A suitability letter should explain why a recommendation fits your goals and circumstances. If it reads like a template with your name pasted in, ask for clearer wording before you agree to anything.
Look for three anchors: your stated objectives in your own language, the risks you said you were willing to accept, and the costs in pounds as well as percentages. Vague phrases about ‘balanced growth’ without numbers deserve a follow-up question.
The ongoing service section matters as much as the initial recommendation. Note how often reviews happen, what they cost, and what happens if you want to pause the relationship. Clarity here avoids awkward surprises a year later.
Keep a copy of the letter with your pension and mortgage papers. When circumstances change — a new job, a divorce, an inheritance — that document becomes the baseline for the next conversation.