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Pension Consolidation

Combining your pension pots can make it easier for you to manage your retirement savings.

Important information -  the value of investments can go down as well as up so you may not get back what you invest. Eligibility to invest in a pension and tax treatment depends on personal circumstances and all tax rules may change in the future. You cannot normally access money in a SIPP until age 55 (57 from 2028). It’s important to understand that pension transfers are a complex area and may not be suitable for everyone.

What is pension consolidation?

Pension consolidation is when you combine all your old pensions into one account. It’s not uncommon to have a number of pensions with different providers, often as a result of working for several companies throughout your career.

More often than not, when you leave your job, you leave that workplace pension where it is. Many people also have various private pensions, built up with more than one provider. Combining all your pensions can make it easier to see what you have, where your money’s invested and how it’s performing - helping you to plan ahead more effectively. 

Why consolidate your pensions with Fidelity?

Many people choose to bring their pensions together into a Self-Invested Personal Pension due to the flexibility and convenience this type of pension offers. Fidelity’s SIPP has many great features to help you get your money working harder.

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More control

Bringing your pensions together can make them easier to see and manage.

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Lower costs

It could be cheaper, if our service fees are less than you're currently paying.

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A wealth of choice

Thousands of funds and shares to choose from to help you reach your retirement goals.

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Exit fee cover

We cover any exit fees your current provider may charge, up to £500 per person. *T&Cs apply.

Our award-winning approach

We don’t like to blow our own trumpet, but it's nice when someone else does. We’re also proud to be a Which? Recommended Provider for Self-Invested Personal Pensions – four years running.​

which-stack-of-four.jpg (265×178)Boring best Buy Pension 2024 Logo  Boring Best Buy Pension 2023 Logo    Boring Best for Customer Service 2024 Logo

Apply to transfer

Before taking the next step, please read the following important information.

The value of investments can go down as well as up, so you may not get back what you originally invest. It’s important to understand that pension transfers are a complex area and may not be suitable for everyone. Before going ahead with a pension transfer, we strongly recommend that you undertake a full comparison of the benefits, charges and features offered.

The normal minimum pension age (NMPA) is the earliest age most people can start withdrawing money from their pensions. After 6 April 2028, some people may retain the right to draw benefits before age 57 depending on the rules of the transferring pension scheme. You should check this with your current provider before transferring. Learn more about the NMPA. Please also read our pension transfer factsheet and our exit fee T&Cs. You may also wish to download our guide to moving investments.​

This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular product, service or course of action. If you are in any doubt about whether or not a pension transfer is suitable for your circumstances we strongly recommend that you seek advice from one of Fidelity’s advisers or an authorised financial adviser of your choice.

Ways to transfer

There are two ways you can transfer a pension. You should read the differences as it could have an impact on your investments. Regardless of which method you opt for, your cash or investments will remain in your tax wrapper and retain tax-efficiencies throughout the transfer process.

Transfer your pensions as cash - the assets in your old pension will be sold and the proceeds transferred to your Fidelity SIPP as cash. While your pension is being transferred, it won’t be subject to any potential growth or losses from market rises and falls. Average transfer time is 10 days if your provider uses an electronic transfer system but it could take longer if they don’t. See steps involved in a pension cash transfer

Transfer your pensions as they are - with this option (re-registration) you can keep the same investments in your existing pension as long as they're available on our platform, otherwise it will be sold and transferred to us as cash. You can check if the fund is available on our platform here. Before you apply, it’s best to check with your current provider that they can re-register your investments to us. Depending who they are, you may not be able to make any changes to your investments while they’re being transferred. Allow an average of 14 weeks. See steps involved in a pension re-registration transfer

Before you go any further

If any of the following apply to you, you MUST speak to one of our retirement specialists before starting your pension transfer.
 

  • Your pension has any safeguarded benefits or guarantees.
  • You’ve taken all or part of your tax-free allowance or pensions commencement lump sum.
  • You’re already taking an income from your pension, known as drawdown.
  • You plan to take your tax-free allowance or take an income from your pension after your transfer is complete.
  • If the pension plan being transferred is subject to any existing or proposed bankruptcy, earmarking, pension sharing order or other receiving order, you should notify Fidelity of this as soon as possible
  • You have read any information provided or made available by the ceding providers named in this application, in connection with the transfer(s)

Start pension transfer

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Call us

If you’d like to discuss transferring a pension or would like us to send you an application form.

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Transfer online

To find out what you need to consider before you transfer, please read the factsheet.

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Transfer by post

Whether you already have a SIPP with Fidelity or not, download the relevant application form, fill it in and return it to the address on the form.

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How to find an old pension

If you think you may have an old pension that you no longer have the paperwork for, you can track down lost company and personal pensions online through the Pension Tracing Service or by calling 0800 731 0193. 

Should I consolidate my pensions?

Consolidating pensions isn’t right for everyone, and although in many cases it’s relatively simple to move they can be complex at times. Here are some important factors to consider.

How do I transfer my pension?
What is the difference between pension fund value and transfer value?
How much does it cost to transfer a pension?
Should I consider moving my pension when I move jobs?
Can I transfer if I have taken retirement benefits from my pension?
How long does it take to transfer my pension?
Will you help pay my exit fees?
Is there a minimum transfer value?
What types of pension can I transfer?
Can I transfer a pension with guarantees to Fidelity?
What are safeguarded benefits?
What are ‘other benefits’?
What should I do if I still want to proceed with transferring my pension?
How long will it take to get my cashback payment?

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Important information: This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment you should speak to one of Fidelity’s advisers or an authorised financial adviser of your choice.