Transferring your benefits

Provided that the receiving arrangement is a registered pension scheme or a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) if you are transferring overseas, then you will generally have the option to take a transfer value from the DB Section before your Normal Retirement Date.

The transfer value will take the form of a capital sum, known as the cash equivalent transfer value (CETV), representing the value of the pension you have earned under the DB Section. Your CETV may include the value of any AVCs you have paid under the DB Section.

You may ask for an estimate of the CETV available to you. Within three months of your request, the Trustee will give you a written statement of entitlement. This statement will show your CETV which is guaranteed for three months from the date on which it has been calculated (the guarantee date). The statement will be given to you within 10 working days of the guarantee date.

The Trustee is not legally required to provide you with another CETV within 12 months of the date of the last request. If you request more than one transfer value quotation in any 12 month period, the transfer value may not be guaranteed and the Trustee may charge you for the provision of this estimate.

You may also be able to see an estimate of your transfer online via MyPension.

Please note:
As an Active member you can choose to transfer your DB Section benefits out of the Scheme. However, you will need to opt out of the DB Section and become a Deferred member first. If you opt out you will cease to build up further benefits within the DB Section. The death in Service benefits payable to your Dependants may also be affected. For more information about opting out please see the ‘Opting out while remaining in service’ page of this website.

Transferring your AVCs

If you paid AVCs under the DB Section then these would need to be transferred as well, either to the same or another arrangement. You may transfer your AVCs to another arrangement without transferring the remainder of your benefits within the DB Section.

Proceeding with a transfer

If you want to transfer the CETV quoted to another registered pension scheme or insurance policy, you must apply in writing to the Trustee within three months from the guarantee date shown on the statement of entitlement.

If you want to transfer your benefits from the DB Section to a Defined Contribution arrangement to access the new pension flexibilities (such as an Uncrystallised Funds Pension Lump Sum (UFPLS)) and your total benefits in the DB Section exceed £30,000, you must obtain independent financial advice before being allowed to do so (the Trustee always recommends that you seek independent financial advice when making a decision about your retirement).

CETV quotations for divorce purposes

If the estimate of the transfer value of your DB benefits is needed because of a divorce settlement, you should tell the Trustee this when asking for the estimate as the Trustee may need further information from you. The Trustee may charge you for the provision of this estimate.

Calculation of the CETV

The CETV is the amount the Trustee determines, having taken advice from the Scheme Actuary, to be sufficient to provide your deferred benefits at your Normal Retirement Date, as at the date of calculation. The Trustee currently has a policy of including an allowance for discretionary increases in CETVs (although there is no guarantee that this will always be the case). Further details will be provided by the Administration Team upon request.