Transfer a pension from Aviva

Moved onto a new job? Time to move your pension on from Aviva? Here’s how to transfer your pension from Aviva to a new provider (like Beach).

Before that, here’s a quick overview of Aviva to make sure we’re talking about the same company. Aviva is one of the largest pension providers for workplaces, where the pension is set up by employers for their employees.

Once you leave a job that uses Aviva for their pension, the pension becomes all yours to manage, and you can keep it where it is with Aviva, or transfer it to another pension provider that you prefer (such as combining it with other old pensions to keep all your retirement savings in one place).

Steps to transfer away from Aviva

1. Find a new pension provider you like

First, you need to find a pension provider who can transfer and combine pensions.

We're biased, but we think Beach is a pretty great option. You can set up a pension easily, manage everything on an app on your phone, and then transfer and combine your old pensions into one pension pot, giving you the ability to manage your retirement savings in a single place.

Transferring a pension with Beach is completely free (and free to find lost pensions if you’re not sure where they are). You’ll pay a fee as part of your pension account once your money arrives (like almost all pensions, including Aviva).

2. Initiate the transfer process with your new provider

Once you’re settled on a great new provider, it’s time to initiate a pension transfer from Aviva. This is different for each provider, but with Beach, simply head on into the app, select pension transfer and add your Aviva pension details.

If you don’t know the pension details, we’ll find them for you, just click ‘don’t know’ within the app (although the transfer will be quicker if you do know your pension details).

To speed up the Aviva pension transfer process all you'll need is your policy number, it should look like something like this: TK12345678

You can find this by:

• Looking at any paperwork you have. It should be on the first page of each statement or their welcome letter.
• If you have registered with MyAviva online, it will be within your account. You can log in here: direct.aviva.co.uk/MyAccount/login
• Call their customer service team on the phone on 0800 158 3142. You’ll need your National Insurance number to prove who you are.
  

3. Your pension transfer is processed

Your new pension provider will handle things from there and request the pension from Aviva with the online transfer system Origo, which is a quicker way of transferring pensions. If both providers use it, it can speed things up. Beach and Aviva both use it.

With Beach, we’ll keep you updated on the progress, and here for any questions you have, with a UK based support team.

4. Your pension arrives

Your pension should then turn up in around 4-6 weeks. Although it can be much quicker (or longer). Our current record for a pension transfer from Aviva is just 24 hours!

And that’s it. Your pension account with Aviva will be closed, and you’ll be able to save with your new provider. You can transfer any other pensions you’d like to (and new ones in future), and with some providers (like Beach) you can add more money yourself too, to boost your pension pot further.

Did you know you can keep saving into your pension tax-free? Instead of contributions going into your pension from your payslip before tax (like they do with a work pension), if you add money after you get paid, the government will give you the tax back (called tax relief). This is an automatic 25% bonus on every contribution you make into your pension to refund 20% tax (we’ll handle this for you), and if you pay 40% or 45% tax you can claim the extra 20% or 25% back directly from the government.

More about Beach

Beach helps you save for a brighter future, and offers an easy to use pension pot for retirement savings. 

We offer a free service to transfer and combine pensions, and a retirement plan suited to your age, managed by the largest investment company in the world.

It all works on our easy to use mobile app, and we have a UK based support team, here when you need us over email or phone.

You also have the option to save separately to your pension with an easy access pot, where you can save and invest tax-free, and withdraw when you’d like (takes around a week). Ideal for general savings.

We’re fully authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and you are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000.

What is a pension transfer?

A pension transfer simply means moving your money from one pension provider to another. It involves selling your investments within your pension plan, transferring the money, and then your money is invested within your new pension plan with the new provider.

If you weren't aware, typically all pension plans are invested, and it’s the investments that help it grow over time to (hopefully) a big pot ready for retirement.

The transfer process varies between providers, and sometimes there’s lots of paperwork involved, and sometimes none at all. It all depends on the provider. We try to make the whole process as smooth as possible, with the transfer managed in our easy to use app.

Benefits of transferring a pension

People transfer pensions for a variety of reasons, but the most common are:

• To combine pension pots into one to manage retirement savings easier (and not forget about where they are in future!).
• When changing jobs (as you can only transfer a pension once you leave your job).
• To move to a provider where you can manage your pension pot alongside other general savings, keeping your lifetime savings in one place (like with Beach).
• To move to a pension plan more suited to you and your age, which can mean a larger pension pot by the time you retire.
• To move to a more modern provider with things like a great mobile app to manage things better, and things like better customer service.

The important bits

Money within a pension is invested within your pension plan, so when transferring to a new provider, make sure you are happy with the plans they offer, and consider things like the service from the provider and any benefits and fees. Make sure you are happy!

As your money is invested, this means the value of your investments can go down as well as up, so you may get back less than you put in.

If you are unsure, it can be a good idea to speak to a financial advisor.

With Beach we make the transfer process as easy as possible, all managed within our app. If you are ready to get started, here’s where to download Beach.