Retail agent

An insurance agent who acts as an intermediary between an insured and the marketplace. In some instances, retail agents deal directly with an insurer in arranging coverage, while in others, retail agents work with managing general agents or wholesale brokers to secure coverage for their client-insured.

Retail customer

A policyholder or potential policyholder acting outside his trade, business or profession. FSA rules require that retail customers be supplied with: a policy summary; price information; details on how to claim; policy document; renewal information; details of mid-term changes. All private individuals are eligible complainants from a complaints perspective.

Retained benefits

Member’s benefits from previous occupational schemes, personal pension schemes or retirement annuity policies. Where the existing scheme has an accrual rate better than one-sixtieth per year, retained benefits, when taken with existing benefits, must not exceed two-thirds of final remuneration, i.e. the maximum under a tax approved scheme.

Retaliation

Action taken by a country to restrain its imports from another country that has increased a tariff or imposed other measures that adversely affects the first country’s exports.