Transfer Army Pension

Time and again, we get enquiries whether army veterans can transfer their army pensions, more formally known as the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS), to a personal or private pension or whether they can transfer it to another Public Scheme, like the New Police Pension.

The answer is  “yes” in the first case – although you’ll want to thoroughly check out the implications. It is “no” in the second. This article explains why that is so along with your alternatives.

In all cases, you’d be advised to call us to get expert advice. Indeed, the government urges pension members to seek professional objective opinion before taking any major steps on their pension that they may later regret.

Once you transfer your pension, you cannot change your mind.

Can I transfer my army pension?

Most times it’s simple to transfer from one pension scheme to another. With the army pension, rules are rather different since you’ll be converting your pension from a defined benefit (DB) pension scheme,

That’s when it becomes complicated and where most experts advise you leave your army pension in its old form so you don’t lose your pension and its benefits. In all cases, the government urges careful consideration and that if you choose to transfer your pension, you only do so after seeking professional advice.

Should I transfer my Army pension?

You can transfer your Armed Forces pension to a Defined Benefits (DB) plan, but not to a Defined Contribution (DC) plan. To understand why, here are the definitions of each plan.

The DB, in short, is far less risky than the DC, since it is protected by the government and invulnerable to inflation. If you choose to convert your army pension, which is a defined benefits to a defined contribution, you risk losing much, if not all, of your savings.

For that reason, in its latest army pension rules, the government disallows members to convert their army pensions into a personal scheme. It also urges you seek professional independent guidance before transferring to any other DB scheme.

That’s where we come in. Contact us today to discuss your options.

How to transfer your army pension

The process is simple…

General rules for transferring an army pension under AFPS 2015

The rules are as follows:

• You can transfer your army pension to another defined benefit scheme, including other public schemes like HM Prison Service.
• You cannot transfer your army pension to a defined contribution plan, namely to a private/ personal pension scheme.
• You cannot transfer your army pension overseas.
• You can only transfer your pension in its complete untouched form to another pension scheme.
• Pension transfer must be done within 12 months of becoming eligible to join the scheme. This is regardless of whether you’re already a member.

Can I transfer my military pension to a police pension?

Since the Police Pension, as an unfunded public scheme, is, also, a defined benefits plan, you can transfer your army pension from one to the other. You’d want to thoroughly compare the benefits of the new police pension with those of your army scheme. You can read more in our guide to police pension drawdowns.

Either way, get sound independent financial advice so you understand all the implications of transferring from one scheme to another. Contact us today and we’ll put you in touch with one of the experts we work with.

Can I transfer my army pension to an NHS pension?

Well, the NHS is also a public scheme, so the same rules apply. You’ll want to check its benefits to see whether transferring is worth its while for you.

Find out more in our guide to NHS pension drawdown. 

The experts we work with can give you a lowdown on the implications

Speak to an Army pensions expert

If you have questions about transferring your Army pension, you can arrange a free, no-obligation chat with one of the pensions experts we work with or call us today on 0808 189 0463.

Then sit back and let us do all the hard work in finding the advisor with the right expertise for your circumstances. We don’t charge a fee and there’s absolutely no obligation.