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🔄 Pension Transfer

Pension Transfer Advice from FCA-Regulated Specialists

Transfer a pension, consolidate multiple pots, or get advice on a defined benefit or occupational pension transfer. We match you with an FCA-regulated pension transfer specialist who handles every step. Free to use, no obligation.

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  • Takes 60 seconds to start60 Second Process
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What is pension transfer advice?

Pension transfer advice is regulated guidance on whether moving your pension from one scheme to another is the right financial decision. In the UK, transferring a defined benefit (final salary) pension worth over £30,000 legally requires advice from a Pension Transfer Specialist — a qualified, FCA-regulated adviser with specific transfer qualifications.

For defined contribution pensions (workplace pensions, personal pensions, SIPPs), advice is not legally required — but for consolidation, large pots, or complex situations, working with a regulated adviser typically saves you more in tax, fees and fund choice than the advice costs.

When you need a pension transfer specialist

  • Defined benefit / final salary pension worth over £30,000 — regulated advice is mandatory (legally enforced since 2015 Pension Freedoms)
  • Occupational pension transfer from a current or previous employer — even for DC, there may be valuable guarantees
  • Pension consolidation of multiple workplace pots into a single SIPP
  • Overseas or QROPS transfers — additional complexity, tax exposure and the 25% Overseas Transfer Charge
  • Public sector pensions (NHS, LGPS, Teachers, Civil Service) — almost always worth keeping, but specialist advice confirms

How to transfer a pension in the UK (5 steps)

  1. Find your pension details — gather statements, transfer values and scheme paperwork. Use the free Pension Tracing Service if you've lost track.
  2. Request a transfer value (CETV) from your existing scheme — free, takes 4-6 weeks for DB. CETV explained.
  3. Get pension transfer advice — required by law for DB transfers above £30k. Our service matches you with the right FCA-regulated specialist in 60 seconds.
  4. Compare receiving providers — modern SIPPs (Vanguard, AJ Bell, Hargreaves Lansdown, PensionBee) vs your current scheme. Fees, fund choice, drawdown options.
  5. Complete the transfer — typically 2-4 weeks for DC pensions, 3-6 months for DB. Your adviser manages every step.

Pension consolidation service: combining multiple pots

Most UK adults have multiple pension pots from different jobs — and the average is rising. Consolidating them into a single SIPP or modern workplace pension can:

  • Cut combined fees by 0.3–1% per year (often £1,000s over time)
  • Make drawdown and retirement planning easier (one balance, one platform)
  • Give you wider investment choice than legacy workplace schemes
  • Stop you losing track of old pots (~£26 billion sits unclaimed in the UK)

But not always: pre-2001 personal pensions often have guaranteed annuity rates (GARs) worth 8–12% — far above current market rates. A pension consolidation specialist checks each scheme before recommending a transfer. See our pension consolidation guide.

Pension transfer options at a glance

Transfer typeAdvice required?Typical time
DC workplace to SIPPRecommended, not legally required2–4 weeks
SIPP to SIPPNot required2–3 weeks
DB / final salary (over £30k)Legally required (Pension Transfer Specialist)3–6 months
Occupational to privateRecommended4–8 weeks
UK pension overseas (QROPS)Specialist required3–6 months

Our service is free. We match you with an FCA-regulated pension transfer specialist who'll explain their fees upfront — typically £500–£3,000 for a one-off transfer recommendation, often recovered many times over through better fees and tax planning.

📋 Get started

Speak to a pension specialist in 60 seconds

Answer a few simple questions and get matched with an FCA-regulated pension adviser who can help with your transfer, no pressure, no obligation.

Why Transfer or Consolidate Your Pensions with PensionHelper?

The average UK adult changes jobs 11 times during their career, often leaving behind forgotten pension pots. Consolidating your pensions into one plan can reduce fees, simplify management, and give you greater control over your retirement savings.

We connect you with FCA-regulated advisers who specialise in pension transfers. Whether it is a simple workplace consolidation or a complex defined benefit transfer, you get expert guidance tailored to your situation.

Reduce Fees

Old pensions often carry high charges. Consolidating can cut your costs significantly.

One Clear View

See all your retirement savings in one place with a single provider.

Better Investments

Access a wider range of funds and investment options for your retirement.

Expert Guidance

FCA-regulated advisers ensure your transfer is in your best interest.

Transfer Types

Types of Pension Transfer

The right transfer depends on your pension type, circumstances, and retirement goals. Our advisers cover every type.

Defined Benefit Transfer

Transfer a DB or final salary pension to a defined contribution scheme. Mandatory advice required for pots over £30,000.

SIPP Transfer

Move your pensions into a Self-Invested Personal Pension for greater control and investment choice.

Workplace Pension Transfer

Transfer old workplace pensions from previous employers into one managed plan.

Pension Consolidation

Combine multiple pension pots into one for simpler management and potentially lower charges.

Public Sector Pension Transfer

NHS, teachers, civil service, police, military, and local government pension transfers with specialist advice.

Overseas Pension Transfer

QROPS and international pension transfers for expats and those moving abroad.

Explore Transfers

Pension Transfer Guides

Detailed guides for every type of pension transfer, written by pension specialists.

Defined Benefit Transfer

DB pension transfer guide

Final Salary Transfer

Final salary pension options

Pension Consolidation

Combine multiple pensions

Transfer to a SIPP

Self-invested pension options

NHS Pension Transfer

NHS scheme transfer options

Overseas Pension Transfer

QROPS & international transfers

Pension Transfer on Divorce

Pension sharing orders

Finding Lost Pensions

Track down forgotten pots

Small Pension Pot Transfer

Consolidate small pots

Consolidating Multiple Pensions

Merge pensions into one
Real Reviews

What Our Customers Say

Mark R.
Mark R.
London • Retired Teacher
★★★★★
“Consolidated 4 pensions into one”

I had pensions scattered across four different providers from old jobs. My adviser consolidated them all into a single SIPP. I can finally see everything in one place and the fees are much lower than before.

Sarah K.
Sarah K.
Manchester • HR Director
★★★★★
“Expert advice on my DB transfer”

I was considering transferring my defined benefit pension and needed proper advice. My adviser analysed the transfer value, explained the risks clearly, and actually recommended I keep it. Honest advice that saved me from a bad decision.

Andrew N.
Andrew N.
Bristol • Software Engineer
★★★★★
“Found two lost pensions I had forgotten about”

My adviser used the pension tracing service and found two old workplace pensions worth over £18,000 combined. They transferred both into my existing SIPP. I had completely forgotten about them.

Emma L.
Emma L.
Birmingham • Nurse
★★★★★
“Clear explanation of my NHS pension options”

I was confused about whether to transfer my NHS pension. The adviser explained everything in plain English and helped me understand the value of my guaranteed benefits. Brilliant service from start to finish.

Tom B.
Tom B.
Leeds • Business Owner
★★★★★
“Transferred my old company pension to a SIPP”

My old workplace pension was charging 1.5% in fees and had limited fund choices. My adviser moved it to a SIPP with 0.45% fees and much better investment options. The transfer took about 6 weeks.

Claire D.
Claire D.
Edinburgh • Accountant
★★★★★
“Pension sorted after my divorce”

Going through a divorce and dealing with pension sharing was overwhelming. My adviser handled the pension transfer after the court order and made what could have been a nightmare into a straightforward process.

Simple Process

How It Works

1

Tell us about your pensions

Quick questions about your pension situation. Done in 60 seconds.

2

Get matched with an adviser

We connect you with an FCA-regulated pension transfer specialist.

3

Receive expert guidance

Your adviser reviews your options and guides you through the transfer process.

Find the Right Pension Transfer for You

Every pension situation is different. Explore the transfer type that matches your needs.

Defined Benefit Final Salary Consolidation Workplace Pension SIPP Transfer NHS Pension Teachers' Pension Civil Service Police Pension Military Pension Overseas (QROPS) Divorce Small Pots Lost Pensions Old Pensions Frozen Pension Multiple Pensions Employer Pension Private Pension Local Government
Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

A pension transfer involves moving your pension savings from one scheme to another. This could mean transferring from an old workplace pension to a SIPP, consolidating multiple pension pots into one, or transferring a defined benefit pension to a defined contribution scheme. The process and rules vary depending on the type of pension being transferred.
For defined benefit (final salary) pensions worth over £30,000, you are legally required to take advice from an FCA-regulated financial adviser before transferring. For defined contribution pensions, advice is not mandatory but is strongly recommended to ensure the transfer is in your best interest and you do not lose valuable benefits.
Most pension transfers take between 4 and 12 weeks to complete. Simple defined contribution transfers can sometimes be completed in 2 to 4 weeks. Defined benefit transfers typically take longer, often 8 to 12 weeks, due to the additional advice requirement and scheme processing times.
It depends on the type of transfer. Defined contribution transfers usually do not involve losses, though some schemes charge exit fees. Defined benefit transfers involve giving up a guaranteed income, which may not be in your best interest. An FCA-regulated adviser can help you understand the financial implications of any transfer.
Yes, pension consolidation is one of the most common reasons for transferring pensions. You can typically combine multiple workplace pensions, personal pensions, and stakeholder pensions into a single plan such as a SIPP. This makes your retirement savings easier to manage and can reduce fees.
The risks vary by pension type. Transferring a defined benefit pension means giving up a guaranteed income for life. Some older pensions have valuable guaranteed annuity rates that would be lost on transfer. Exit fees may apply, and you could be out of the market during the transfer period. Professional advice helps you weigh these risks against the potential benefits.
Our matching service is free and without obligation. If you proceed with a pension transfer, the adviser may charge a fee for their services. This is typically a percentage of the transfer value or a fixed fee, and will be clearly disclosed before you commit to anything.
It depends on whether you have already started taking benefits. If your pension is in drawdown, you can usually transfer the remaining fund. If you have purchased an annuity, you generally cannot transfer those funds. If you have untouched pension pots from old employers, these can still be transferred regardless of your age.
CETV stands for Cash Equivalent Transfer Value. It is the lump sum value that a defined benefit pension scheme will offer you in exchange for giving up your guaranteed pension benefits. CETVs are calculated by the scheme actuary and represent the amount that would be transferred to your new pension arrangement.
You can use the government's free Pension Tracing Service at gov.uk to search for lost pensions. You will need the names of your former employers or pension providers. Your adviser can also help track down lost pensions as part of the transfer process. It is estimated that there is over £26 billion in lost or unclaimed pensions in the UK.

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15,000+ people helped • FCA regulated • Rated 4.9★ online