MICHAEL Norris, an Ainsworth-based independent financial adviser has been awarded the Scottish Equitable Retirement Options Merit Award for 2002.

The firm is to present him with a bursary and a cash prize for his achievement as the best candidate in the recent Chartered Insurance Institute Retirement Options (K10) Examinations.

Mr Norris outshone a field of more than 2,000 candidates to win the award. He is a partner with Professionally Connected Financial Planning.

, which will be presented at a luncheon.

, who lives in Brookfield Avenue,

The Retirement Options Exam covers the full spectrum of advice on pension options at retirement for employees, business owners and the self-employed, and included questions on annuities, income drawdown, phased retirement, pensions on divorce and pension transfers.