Final Salary Pension Advice

If you are looking to take retirement benefits from your current employer and or previous employer's scheme(s), we can help you get the most from your pensions.

What will your final salary scheme provide?

A final salary scheme will provide a guaranteed income for life with little risk and minimal effort.
You will have the choice to take an annual pension or a tax free lump sum and reduced annual pension. This will usually increase annually and often includes provision for your spouse in the event of your death.
There is a common misconception that you have to take your pension from the final salary scheme. This is not the case, you are able to obtain a transfer value from the scheme and take retirement benefits under a personal arrangement outside the scheme.

What is a final salary transfer?

A final salary transfer allows you to swap a future pension entitlement in a final salary, or defined pension scheme, for a cash sum that must in the first instance be put into a registered, or HMRC recognised pension scheme.

A final salary benefit can be a significant family financial asset. A transfer capitalises and gives you control of this asset, which can be passed down through generations without inheritance tax. A transfer can offer you complete flexibility over when and how much you want to draw in contrast to a fixed monthly pension income.

Not surprisingly this is a transaction that needs very careful consideration before acting on.

Why professional advice is so important

Given the complexity and potential risks involved it is essential to seek out appropriate advice to aid your decision making process. Safeguards are already in place with a legal requirement to get properly qualified independent advice on a transfer from a final salary pension with a transfer value of £30,000 or more before it’s executed.

How we can help

At Rees Astley we have an authorised pensions specialist who has undergone the advanced pension qualifications and been given permission by the Financial Conduct Authority to advise on final salary pension schemes.

If you meet all of the following criteria, we can give you DB transfer advice :

  • You are already an existing client of Rees Astley IFA Limited or are a referral from an existing client of ours
  • Transfer value of £175,000 or more
  • At least 54 years old
  • Under 54 years old, if your life expectancy is severely limited
  • You are resident in the UK

We will NOT arrange a transfer for you if we recommend that you should remain in your scheme.


Retirement Planning