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Royal London · UK pension transfer guide
Royal London pension transfer guide for NRIs considering an overseas transfer.
This independent guide explains common transfer-out questions for a UK pension currently held by Royal London. Royal London 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 Royal London is claimed · Royal London is not presented as a QROPS
Your Royal London Pension
What kind of Royal London pension are you likely holding?
As a mutual, Royal London built its pensions business around member value rather than shareholder returns — and most NRIs we speak to hold one of two common product types.
The most common is a workplace pension, set up by an employer as a group personal pension or auto-enrolment scheme, with contributions invested across Royal London's fund range. A meaningful number of NRIs also hold a personal pension arranged directly with Royal London, often because a financial adviser recommended their fund range on its own merits rather than through an employer link. Because Royal London operates as a mutual, some older policies also carry with-profits elements, which can affect how the transfer value is calculated.
Whichever type you hold, the starting point is the same: request a current cash-equivalent transfer value from Royal London and confirm whether any with-profits bonus structure applies. We handle that request and the follow-up paperwork so you're not chasing figures across time zones.
Transfer Considerations
What matters most when moving a Royal London pension
The rules that govern this transfer come from HMRC, not Royal London — 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 Royal London QROPS assessment today. Contact us →
Other providers
Also handling transfers from Legal & General, Aviva and more. All providers →
Start with a Free Assessment
Ten minutes is all it takes to know where your Royal London pension stands.
Tell us about your Royal London 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.