Review My Pension
Independent pension reviews
Many people don't know what their pension is invested in, what it's costing them, or whether it's on track. We review everything you have and tell you plainly what, if anything, should change.
We're an independent financial planning firm led by a Chartered Financial Planner, so we're not tied to any provider. Sometimes the right answer is to leave things as they are, and we'll tell you if it is.
Your first meeting is free and there's no obligation to go further.
What a pension review covers
Charges
What you're paying in product, fund and any adviser charges, and how that compares with the wider market.
Investments and risk
Whether your money is invested in a way that matches the time you have left and the risk you're comfortable with.
Performance
How your funds have done against suitable alternatives, and whether any have consistently fallen behind.
Old workplace pensions
Tracking down and reviewing pensions from previous jobs, and whether combining them would help.
Valuable benefits
Checking for guarantees, protected tax-free cash or bonuses that could be lost if a pension were moved.
Are you on track?
Projecting what your pensions could provide and whether that's enough for the retirement you want.
Three simple steps
Free first meeting
We talk about your plans for retirement and the pensions you have. We'll tell you our fee before any work starts.
We gather the details
With your permission, we get full information from each of your providers, so you don't have to chase them.
Clear recommendations
We set out what we found and what we recommend in a written report, then put any changes in place for you.
What can make a difference
Charges
Pension products have changed a lot over the years, and many modern plans have simpler and lower charges than older ones. If your pension has been running for a long time, its charges may no longer be competitive. Charges come straight out of your returns, so over many years even a small difference can have a real effect on the income you'll have in retirement.
Bringing pensions together
If you've had several jobs, you may have several pensions. Combining them can lower your costs, give you a wider choice of investments and make everything easier to keep track of. But it isn't always the right thing to do. Before moving any pension we check for:
- exit charges or penalties
- guaranteed annuity rates, guaranteed growth or bonuses that would be lost
- protected tax-free cash above 25%, or a protected pension age below 55 (57 from April 2028)
- any other valuable benefits, such as life cover attached to the plan
We don't advise on defined benefit (final salary) pensions. For most people, these are best left where they are.
Investment risk
Workplace pensions often place you in a default fund, which may be taking more or less risk than suits you. Your attitude to risk also tends to change as retirement gets closer. We look at how your pension is invested, how much time you have, and how much risk you're comfortable with, and make sure it's spread sensibly rather than relying on one company or one type of asset.
Performance
Without a review, it's hard to know how well your pension is doing. Not all pension providers and funds are equal, and there can be a big gap between the best and worst performers. Reviewing regularly means problems are spotted early.
Will it be enough?
The State Pension alone is unlikely to give most people the retirement they want. We look at what your pensions could provide, alongside your other savings, so you can see whether you're on track and what you could do if you're not.
What does advice cost?
Your first meeting is free and there's no obligation. If you'd like us to go ahead, our initial fee is a percentage of the amount we advise on, and it reduces as the amount increases:
We'll confirm your fee in writing before any work starts. Read more about the cost of financial advice.
Common questions
How often should I review my pension?
It's worth a full review every few years, and at least once a year as you get closer to retirement, when decisions about risk and how you'll take your money matter most.
Should I combine my pensions?
Often, but not always. Combining can reduce costs and make things simpler, but some older pensions have guarantees or protected benefits that would be lost. We check each one before recommending any move.
What do I need to bring?
Just the names of your pension providers and any recent statements you have. With your permission we'll contact each provider for the full details.
What is your initial fee?
Our initial advice charge is a percentage of the amount invested or transferred, and it reduces as the amount increases. For advice on £250,000 of pensions or investments our initial fee would be 1.65%, falling to 1.2% on £500,000 and 0.97% on £1 million. We'll always confirm your fee in writing before any work starts, and your first meeting is free.
Do you advise on final salary pensions?
No. We don't advise on defined benefit (final salary) pensions or transfers out of them. These schemes usually provide valuable guaranteed benefits, and for most people it's in their interests to keep them.
Is there a minimum investment?
Yes. Our advice service is designed for people with £250,000 or more in pensions and investments, or who are planning to invest at least that amount. If that isn't you yet, MoneyHelper offers free, impartial guidance.
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Find out more →Book your pension review
Free first meeting, no obligation. Call 0330 223 1653 or book online.
The value of investments and pensions, and any income from them, can fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you invest. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may change in the future.
