Consolidate Pensions: A Guide to Combining Your Retirement Savings

The rise of workplace pension schemes in the UK has led to an increase in the number of employee pensions. As a result, individuals may find themselves with multiple pension pots if they change jobs frequently. Consolidating these pensions into one pot can make it easier to manage, providing more choice over investments and potentially lower fees.

However, it’s important to understand the risks involved with any investment. All investments carry varying degrees of risk, and the value of investments can go down as well as up. Currency exchange rates are also constantly changing, which may affect the value of investments in sterling terms. Additionally, stocks listed on overseas exchanges may have additional charges and tax implications, and may not provide the same regulatory protection as in the UK. It’s crucial to thoroughly research and understand the nature of these risks before consolidating pension pots.

Why Consolidate Your Pension Pots?

Consolidating multiple pension pots into one provider can offer several benefits. It can reduce the time spent on administration, as pension schemes can involve a lot of paperwork. By having a single provider, it can simplify the process and save time.

Consolidating pension pots can also help save fees. Fees can vary widely by provider, and higher-value pension pots may qualify for lower percentage-based fees if fees are tiered by portfolio value. Consolidating pension pots can also make it easier to monitor the performance of one pension than it is to monitor multiple pots. It makes it easier to see the overall split of investments and can help you make informed decisions about your pension.

Moving workplace schemes into a personal pension such as a SIPP may provide you with more control over the underlying investments. In addition, some providers have better-performing pension portfolios than others, which can help you get a better return on your investment.

Consolidating your pension pots may also reduce the risk of losing track of pensions from changing jobs or moving house. According to the Pensions Policy Institute, around 1.6 million individuals in the UK have ‘lost’ pension pots worth £19 billion, with an average of £13,000 per missing pot. Consolidating your pension pots can help you keep track of your pensions and make sure you have all the information you need when you retire.

Overall, consolidating your pension pots can offer several advantages, including simplifying administration, saving on fees, providing more control over investments, and reducing the risk of losing track of pensions. It’s important to weigh the potential benefits against any potential drawbacks before making a decision.

What are the disadvantages of consolidating pensions?

Consolidating pensions may not always be the best option for everyone. Seeking advice from a qualified pension adviser is recommended before making any decisions. Additionally, certain transfers, such as final salary scheme transfers over £30,000, require independent financial advice before the transfer can be made.

When deciding whether to consolidate a pension, there are several factors to consider. Some providers charge an exit fee if you transfer out your pension, which can be a significant disadvantage. Additionally, some pensions provide valuable guarantees, such as guaranteed annuity rates or enhanced tax-free lump sums, known as safeguarded benefits. These benefits are typically lost if you consolidate your pension.

Final salary schemes, which provide a defined income on retirement based on known criteria, have become less common due to the guarantees involved. These schemes have been replaced by defined contribution schemes, where the accumulated fund depends on investment performance. It is generally not recommended to transfer out of a final salary scheme.

Employer contributions are another factor to consider. Many employers match employee contributions (subject to a limit), and you may lose their contributions if you transfer out a workplace pension.

Overall, it is important to carefully weigh the potential advantages and disadvantages before consolidating pensions. Seeking professional advice and considering all factors is crucial in making an informed decision.

What’s the process for consolidating pensions?

Consolidating pensions is a process that involves transferring the value of one or more pensions into a single pension plan. This can be a good option for people who have multiple pension plans and want to simplify their retirement planning.

The first step in the process is to contact the current pension providers and request a transfer quote. This quote will include the value of the pension for transfer purposes and any exit penalties. It is also important to check if there are any safeguarded benefits.

After receiving the transfer quote, the next step is to decide whether to consolidate the other pensions into an existing workplace or personal pension provider or move to a new provider. The individual will then need to contact the chosen provider to request the transfer of the other pensions. This can often be done online, by post or over the phone. The provider will manage the transfer on the individual’s behalf, which typically takes between four to eight weeks.

Alternatively, a financial adviser can manage the consolidation process. They will provide a review of the existing pension schemes and advise whether consolidation is the best option for the individual’s circumstances. It is important to be aware of the fee structure and likely amount ahead of giving the green light for the work to proceed.

How to Find Lost Pensions

To locate missing workplace or personal pension schemes, the government offers a free pension tracing service. To use the service, one must provide the name of the previous employer or personal pension provider. The service will provide contact details for the pension provider, but it will not confirm whether one has a pension with the provider. Additionally, some pension providers and financial advisers offer a service to trace missing pensions.

How Self Invested Personal Pensions Work

Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs) are a type of personal pension that offer more flexibility than traditional personal pensions. With SIPPs, investors have a wider range of investment options, including funds, shares, and other investments. This allows individuals to have more control over their pension investments.

SIPPs are offered by a variety of providers, and the specific investment options available may vary depending on the provider. However, investors can typically choose from a range of managed portfolios, categorized by risk level and retirement options. This may include the choice between buying an annuity or leaving funds invested for flexible drawdown.

Consolidating pension pots is a common reason for opting for SIPPs. Investors can transfer their existing pension pots into a SIPP, giving them greater control over their investments.

It is important to note that SIPPs can carry higher fees than traditional personal pensions. Therefore, it is important for investors to carefully consider their investment options and fees before choosing a SIPP.

For a detailed guide to the different types of pension and a review of providers, refer to the best personal pension providers and SIPP providers.