Guaranteed Minimum Pensions (GMP) came about when employeesopted their employers out of the State Earnings Related Pensions Scheme (SERPS)between 1978 and 1997. The common pension vehicle for this was Defined Benefit/FinalSalary Schemes, where benefits were built up alongside employee benefits. In 1990, it became law that all UK pension schemes shouldallow an equal retirement date…
Client Situation £435,000 Married Aged 55 Outgoing of £1600 per month No loans or mortgage debt Good Health 3 Children but not dependent Are you in a similar situation? Request a consultation I received a contact request through this website for a man who had just received his transfer value. He was surprised at the…
When it comes to a defined benefit (DB) pension transfer, many people assume it’s an all-or-nothing decision. But there’s a lesser-known option that could give you the best of both worlds: a partial defined benefit pension transfer. This guide explains how partial transfers work, who they might suit, and what to consider before proceeding. 📋…
Client Situation £140,000 Age 62 Married, no dependents Current Pension & Investment income £20,000 Outgoings £18,000 Buy to Let Property with £45,000 mortgage Residential mortgage with £40,000 mortgage Cashout Option Request a Consultation I was approached by a client who had a Defined Benefit Scheme from employment many years ago. The scheme had written to…
If you are considering a defined benefit (DB) pension transfer, you are about to make one of the most consequential financial decisions of your life. The cash equivalent transfer values (CETVs) on offer from some pension schemes can run into hundreds of thousands — or even millions — of pounds. Getting it right matters enormously….
The FCA is considering the revision of the calculation of redress an entity has to pay in case of unsuitable advice given to a client regarding joining a private pension scheme. According to the officials at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the current methodology that is used to calculate the redress does not provide the…
Defined benefit (DB) pension transfers have been one of the most regulated areas of UK financial advice since the early 2010s. Over the years, there have been repeated calls — from regulators, politicians, and the industry itself — to impose tighter controls, introduce temporary moratoriums, or even ban DB transfers outright. Understanding why these debates…
The value of a defined benefit (DB) pension transfer offer — your Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (CETV) — does not exist in a vacuum. It rises and falls with economic conditions, particularly interest rates, gilt yields, and inflation expectations. Understanding how these forces interact can help you make a more informed decision about whether now…
A comprehensive 2026 guide to transferring an occupational defined benefit pension — covering CETVs, FCA regulatory requirements, benefits you give up, the transfer process, and current legislative context including the abolition of the Lifetime Allowance.
Client Situation £45,000 No spouse or children Age 60 Has forces pension of £18,000 (inflation proofed) in payment Has a mortgage of £35,000 Outgoing of £20,000 per annum Part-time self employed with variable income around £10,000 Are you in a similar situation? Request a consultation A client approached me with a small Defined Benefit scheme…