Pensions & Retirement2 min check

Pension Transfer Checker

A quick risk check before you transfer an old pension — flag guaranteed benefits, exit charges and pension scam warning signs.

Short answer

Most modern personal pensions and SIPPs can be transferred easily. Defined Benefit (final salary) transfers over £30,000 require regulated FCA advice — and usually shouldn't be done. Watch for exit penalties, GMP, GAR (guaranteed annuity rates) and scam warning signs.

Step 1 of 10%

Calculation method, coverage and version

Inputs used: Type of pension, Approximate transfer value, Does it have any guaranteed benefits (GAR, GMP, MVR-free dates, protected tax-free cash)?, Exit charge?, Main reason for transfer.
Calculation approach: The calculator applies the rules and assumptions described in “How it works” to the values you enter. Rounding can cause small differences from an official or provider calculation.
Coverage: Pensions & Retirement. UK nations, tax treatment, local rules and provider criteria can differ; check the official sources shown below before acting.
Content version: No page-specific review date is currently published. Treat the result as indicative and verify current rules independently.

Not included unless explicitly requested: personal circumstances not entered, provider discretion, future rule changes, professional fees and case-specific exceptions. Read the full calculator methodology.

How it works

This tool checks for the main red flags: Defined Benefit guarantees, valuable old-pension features (GARs, GMPs, protected tax-free cash), exit penalties, and pension scam markers (cold contact, exotic investments, time pressure).

Worked example

Aisha has a £75,000 DB pension from a former employer. She's tempted by an adviser offering a £150k cash equivalent transfer value to invest.

DB → DC transfer over £30k: regulated advice REQUIRED
She'd give up a guaranteed inflation-linked income for life
FCA position: assume DB transfer is unsuitable unless clearly proven otherwise
Outcome: most DB transfers should not happen

Who should use this

•Anyone with old workplace pensions
•DB pension holders considering a transfer
•People consolidating multiple pots
•Anyone approached about transferring their pension

Common mistakes

×Transferring a DB pension without truly understanding the loss of guarantees
×Ignoring valuable GARs (some 1980s/90s pensions guarantee 8-10% annuity rates)
×Falling for cold callers — pension cold-calls have been illegal since 2019
×Forgetting protected pension ages (some old pensions paid from age 50)

Frequently asked questions

Can I transfer a Defined Benefit pension?▾

Yes if the transfer value is over £30k you must take regulated FCA advice. Most transfers are unsuitable; the FCA assumes against transferring.

How long does a pension transfer take?▾

DC-to-DC transfers usually 4-8 weeks via Origo Options. DB and complex schemes can take 3-6 months.

What is a GAR?▾

Guaranteed Annuity Rate — some old pensions promise an annuity rate (sometimes 8-10%+) far above today's market rates. Hugely valuable; rarely worth giving up.

Are pension cold calls legal?▾

No — banned in 2019. If you're cold-called about your pension, it's almost certainly a scam.

What's the £30k DB advice threshold?▾

Defined Benefit transfers with a Cash Equivalent Transfer Value over £30,000 must legally be advised by an FCA-authorised pension transfer specialist.

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Pension Drawdown Calculator →SIPP Fees Calculator →Annuity Calculator →State Pension Forecast →