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Moving a pension

Over your working life, you may build up savings in several pension accounts. Bringing them together could make them easier to manage and may help you save on costs and charges.

Did you know?

If you’ve worked for more than one employer, it’s likely you’ve got more than one workplace pension. That can be a lot to keep track of so make sure to list all your retirement savings sources, even those you may have forgotten about. You can track down any previous personal or workplace pensions using the government’s free Pension Tracing Service.

Control

It’s your pension, no-one else’s. Change your investments when you want and learn how you can create a retirement income.

Easier

Bringing your pensions together could make them easier to manage.

Lower costs

It could be cheaper, as we don’t charge a service fee and you will only pay for your investments.

Trusted

With over 50 years’ investing experience, more than 1 million UK customers entrust their investments to Fidelity.*

Better estimates

Estimates we make about how much money you might have when you retire may be more comprehensive if your pensions are combined.

Important points you need to think about

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. For more information please read Fidelity’s transfer factsheet and speak to an authorised financial adviser before you make a decision.

The value of investments can go down as well as up, so you may get back less than you invest. Tax treatment and eligibility to invest in a pension depends on personal circumstances. All pension and tax rules may change in the future. The minimum age you can normally access your pension benefits is currently 55 but is due to rise to 57 on 6 April 2028.

If you are looking to access benefits following your transfer, such as withdrawing a tax-free lump sum, purchasing an annuity, or using pension drawdown to withdraw money from your pension as a lump sum or regular income, you are eligible for Pension Wise guidance. Pension Wise is a free government-backed service provided by MoneyHelper which helps you understand how you can take money from your pension pot. Further information on Pension Wise, including how to book an appointment, can be found within our transfer application form or by visiting www.moneyhelper.org.uk/pension-wise

Here are some common questions about moving your pension:
 

  • Will I lose any valuable benefits if I move my pension? Some pensions guarantee you a certain level of income, or say you can retire early, or let you take more than the usual 25% of your account as tax-free cash. It is likely that you lose benefits like these if you transfer.
  • Will a transfer affect the age I can start taking money from my pension? Currently you can start withdrawing money from most pensions when you are 55 but this is due to rise to age 57 on 6 April 2028. Your current pension may protect your right to withdraw your money at age 55 even after 6 April 2028, so transferring now may mean you have to wait longer to withdraw your money. You should check this carefully with both your current and your new pension provider before taking any action to transfer your money.
  • Will there be any exit fees? Some pension providers charge exit fees (Fidelity don’t). You should check to see if there are any exit charges or penalties if you transfer out of your current pension, as this could impact its future value.
  • How could a transfer affect my investments? It is likely that your current pension company will have to sell your investments and send the proceeds to your new provider as cash, and you can then choose new investments. This means there is a period when your money is not invested, and you could lose out if markets rise in value. On the other hand, you might benefit if markets fall. You also need to remember that the value of any investment you choose can go down as well as up so you may get back less than you invest. 

Transferring a pension into your BNP Paribas Pension

Currently, you are able to move the following types of pensions into your BNP Paribas Pension:

  • Personal pensions
  • Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs)
  • Stakeholder pensions
  • Defined-contribution occupational schemes
  • Free-standing additional voluntary contribution (FSAVC) plans
  • Executive pension plans (EPPs)
  • Section 32 (buyout) plans
  • Defined benefit schemes (for example final salary pension schemes), but please read the information below

You should always check whether your pension offers guarantees or special benefits that you’d lose if you transfer.

  • If your pension offers what is known as ‘safeguarded benefits’, such as a guaranteed income or a pension that is based on your salary, you’ll need to give Fidelity confirmation that an authorised financial adviser has told you the transfer would be in your best interests.
  • If your pension offers certain other types of benefit, such as a lower pension age or guaranteed investment returns, we may contact you for more information before Fidelity will accept your transfer.

For more information about transferring a pension that offers special benefits, call Fidelity on 0800 3 68 68 68.

If you are considering moving your BNP Paribas Pension to another provider, it’s worth reviewing the different features of each provider.

Remember, with your BNP Paribas Pension you:

  • pay no service fees*
  • can invest in a range of funds or leave the investing to us
  • can continue to make contributions and may benefit from matching contributions from your employer and tax relief from the government
  • can choose from a range of flexible retirement income options when you are ready to retire
  • know that your account and personal information is secured by proven, industry-recognised, security tools and processes

If you’ve decided that moving your pension away from Fidelity is the right thing to do, contact your new provider for the next steps.

*Investment charges apply and are taken directly from the funds you invest in by the fund manager. You can view these charges by viewing the fund factsheets in PlanViewer.

If you are leaving, or have left BNP Paribas, you can leave your BNP Paribas Pension with Fidelity and it will remain invested.

There are many organisations that will offer seemingly attractive ways to invest or manage your pension savings. But not all of them are genuine. You should not trust a company that contacts you unexpectedly, whether it is by phone, text, email or post.

Find out more on our pension fraud page.

Start the pension transfer process online using your PlanViewer account.

Alternatively, you can print and complete our Pension Transfer form and return it to us to get started.
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This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment, you are responsible for deciding whether an investment is suitable for you. In doing so, please remember that past performance is not a guide to future performance, the performance of funds is not guaranteed and the value of your investments can go down as well as up, so you may get back less than you invest. When investments have particular tax features, these will depend on your personal circumstances and tax rules may change in the future. You should regularly review your investment objectives and choices and if you are unsure whether an investment is suitable for you, you should contact an authorised financial adviser.

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