Transfer your pension: compare pension transfers deals

A pension transfer is when you move your existing pension to a new company. There are a few reasons you might be interested in doing a pension transfer:

• If a different company would charge you less for managing your pension fund

• So that you can access a wider range of investment funds

• If you've got multiple pensions from various jobs and you want to consolidate them into one single pot

• If your current scheme is being closed

• To access different features, for instance, flexible drawdown in retirement, the ability to manage your pension online, or better modelling tools, calculators and guidance.

• To change from a defined benefit (DB) scheme to a defined contribution (DC) one. The investment watchdog (FCA) warns that for most people transferring a DB benefit is not in their best interests.

You might be able to save money by doing a pension transfer, but there's lots to think about before choosing the right new pension for your needs.

First, check whether the management fees are lower elsewhere. You should also check other costs such as platform fees, investment charges, transaction fees, and charges for accessing your money at retirement.

Second, check how much it costs to transfer your pension fund to make sure you’d save overall. For instance, you may be charged an exit fee by your existing pension company. You may also be charged set up fees by your new provider.

Third, check for any benefits you could lose by transferring. Look for special features, such as a guaranteed annuity rate, and check whether transferring could impact the age you can access your money. Be warned, you could lose out on special features by transferring, such as accessing your pension at 55 rather than 57.

Fourth, check the rules around advice. You may need to consult and pay for a financial adviser before transferring, for instance if you want to move a DB pot worth more than £30,000 into a DC scheme. You will also need advice if you’re transferring a DC pot with guaranteed benefits worth more than £30,000.

Finally, check your pension provider’s transfer rules before you switch. It's important to avoid any nasty surprises and to get the full picture before you go ahead.

Before making any decisions on transferring your pensions, you might want to talk to an IFA who specialises in pension transfers to get some advice. They can help you make the right decision for your circumstance and understand the pitfalls.

If you’re thinking about transferring a defined benefit or final salary pension and the value is worth more than £30,000 – advice is a legal requirement.

Even with a defined contribution workplace pension, you might have to take advice. For instance, if you have “safeguarded benefits” worth more than £30,000, such as a guaranteed annuity rate.

If you decide to go ahead with a pensions transfer, you need to contact both your existing and chosen provider.

If you’re transferring from defined benefit, you’ll need to get the cash equivalent transfer value (CETV) from your scheme administrator or provider. They will provide you with a document called a Statement of Entitlement that sets out how much your pension savings are worth. 

The scheme administrator should also alert you to any extra benefits you’ve built up under the scheme and inform you of any exit charges.

You then need to apply to your new scheme. Your new provider may ask you to fill in an application form, or they might have an online process. Your current scheme may also need you to fill in some forms.

Each pension scheme uses its own calculation to decide what your CETV is, but common factors include:

• How old you are

• The scheme's retirement age

• Life expectancy

• Inflation (linked to CPI or RPI)

• Your personal situation (married or single)

• The pension value transfer index

• Pension scheme funding

It's not a straightforward calculation, but your scheme administrator will carry it out for you. Even so, it's usually best to seek pension transfer advice from a professional.

Your defined contribution pension can be transferred to someone else if you die. You'll usually nominate who this will be when you set up your pension.

If you die before you're 75, your nominated person doesn't have to pay income tax when they withdraw money from your pension. But if you die after you're 75, they'll have to pay income tax. The amount they have to pay will be based on their existing income.

It might be possible to transfer your pension to someone else in other circumstances, for instance, if you’re getting divorced.

Transferring your pension to an account in another country can be very complicated from a tax perspective.

You will need to make sure that your chosen overseas pension provider is offering a recognised overseas pension scheme, otherwise your current UK pension company may refuse to transfer your funds across.

This means investing in a qualifying recognised overseas pension scheme’ (QROPS).

Usually, you can transfer without paying any tax. But in some circumstances, you’ll have to pay 25% tax on the transfer. For instance, if you transfer to a QROPS outside the UK, Gibraltar or EEA and you won’t live in the country you transferred to.

If you try to transfer to a scheme that’s not a QROPS, your pension provider may refuse. If they allow you to transfer your money, you’ll have to pay at least 40% tax.