A hypothetical case study showing how pension scams work in 2026 — the red flags, the tactics fraudsters use, and how ‘Brian’ avoided losing his £128,000 defined benefit pension to a clone firm cold-call scheme.
📋 Case Study Summary Client: Helen, age 60, British national living in Spain for 14 years Situation: Deferred UK DB pension (CETV £195,000), old UK DC pot (£38,000), State Pension entitlement (28 qualifying years) Goal: Retire in Spain permanently, consolidate UK pensions, simplify income in euros QROPS under consideration: Malta-based QROPS scheme Outcome: QROPS NOT…
A self-employed marketing consultant, 57, with a deferred DB pension (CETV £88,000), two SIPPs (£173,000 combined), and a goal to retire at 60. This hypothetical case study explores the DB transfer analysis, SIPP consolidation decision, and phased income strategy — with specific guidance relevant to the self-employed.
📋 Case Study Summary Client: “David,” aged 57 Situation: Deferred DB pension from a pre-2006 employer scheme with a Protected Pension Age (PPA) of 50 CETV offered: £345,000 Current DC pot: £38,000 (separate employer) Goal: Access pension income earlier than age 57; weighing transfer options Outcome: Transfer NOT recommended — PPA protection too valuable to…
Susan, 62, had a small deferred council DB pension with a CETV of £22,400 — too large for the small pot rules, but part of a total pension pot that made trivial commutation impossible. Discover how she used her scheme’s own commutation factor to take a tax-free lump sum at retirement and simplify her pension landscape.
A hypothetical case study exploring what to do with a small deferred defined benefit pension — when trivial commutation and the small pots rule apply, when they don’t, and why ‘do nothing’ is sometimes the right answer.
📋 Case Study Summary Client: “Robert”, aged 61, former civil engineer Health: Diagnosed with a serious long-term health condition DB Pension: Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) — CETV: £310,000 DB Income: Projected £13,200/yr from age 65 (unreduced) DC Pot: Additional DC pension £45,000 Goal: Maximise lump sum available to family; considering early access due to…
📋 Quick Summary Scenario: Divorce settlement requiring pension sharing Client: “Caroline”, 52, teacher — leaving 28-year marriage Key issue: LGPS DB pension CETV £380,000 vs husband’s SIPP £210,000 — how to split fairly? Also involved: DB scheme Pension Sharing Order, husband’s SIPP Pension Sharing Order Outcome: Specialist pension on divorce advice sought; bespoke pension sharing…
Andrew, 58, returned to the UK after 22 years in Dubai with a deferred DB pension, a UAE DEWS workplace savings pot, and a small DC pension. This case study explores what he was advised to do — and why consolidating everything wasn’t necessarily the answer.
James, 55, wanted to retire immediately with a £340,000 LGPS CETV. This hypothetical case study explores why his DB pension transfer was not recommended — and how a phased retirement strategy achieved his goals without the risk.