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Legal & General · UK pension transfer guide
Legal & General pension transfer guide for NRIs considering an overseas transfer.
This independent guide explains common transfer-out questions for a UK pension currently held by Legal & General. Legal & General would be the ceding provider, not the overseas receiving scheme. A transfer is possible only if the member, benefits and receiving scheme meet the rules in force.
No affiliation with or endorsement by Legal & General is claimed · Legal & General is not presented as a QROPS
Your Legal & General Pension
What kind of Legal & General pension are you likely holding?
Legal & General built its pensions business on two strong foundations: workplace saving and annuities, so most NRIs we talk to hold one of a few familiar product types.
Many NRIs hold a workplace defined contribution (DC) pension set up by a UK employer, often through auto-enrolment, with contributions invested across Legal & General's fund range. Others hold a legacy personal pension arranged independently, sometimes decades ago, before workplace auto-enrolment existed. Because Legal & General has such a long heritage as an annuity provider, a smaller number of NRIs also hold pension pots that were originally destined for, or already partly converted into, an annuity — which changes the transfer conversation considerably, since income already being paid out generally cannot be transferred into a QROPS.
The starting point for any transfer is establishing exactly which of these you have. A DC pension has a clear cash-equivalent transfer value you can request directly from Legal & General. An annuity in payment is a different matter entirely, and we'll tell you honestly if that's your situation before any further work begins.
Transfer Considerations
What matters most when moving a Legal & General pension
The rules that govern this transfer come from HMRC, not Legal & General — so getting the compliance side right protects you, whichever provider you're moving from.
GOV.UK notification-list check
Before any permitted transfer, the proposed receiving scheme requires a GOV.UK ROPS notification-list check and separate statutory, provider, tax, charge and suitability checks. Notification is not approval or verification.
Understanding unauthorised-payment charges
An unauthorised payment is generally charged at 40%, with a further 15% surcharge only where statutory conditions apply. The risk must be assessed; it cannot be guaranteed away.
Provider document requirements
Discharge forms, identity evidence and provider declarations should be prepared against the provider’s current instructions; the provider decides whether a submission is complete.
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Related pages & other providers
The transfer process
A step-by-step look at how your money moves. See the process →
Talk to us
Start your Legal & General QROPS assessment today. Contact us →
Other providers
Also handling transfers from Aviva, Royal London and more. All providers →
Start with a Free Assessment
Ten minutes is all it takes to know where your Legal & General pension stands.
Tell us about your Legal & General scheme and where you're settling. We can outline the questions to take to your providers and regulated advisers; costs, eligibility and timing depend on your individual case.