An AJ Bell SIPP transfer in starts with listing your old pension in the application; AJ Bell says it then handles the admin, free of charge.
AJ Bell's terms here are as published on 26 October 2026, including its SIPP key features (print code AJBYI/SIPP/G/20261019), and can change. The value of investments can fall as well as rise, and you may get back less than you put in. Our form on this page gives a no-cost call-back, where an FCA-authorised adviser tests the idea against your circumstances.
What pensions can you transfer into an AJ Bell SIPP?
AJ Bell says you "can transfer most types of UK pensions, including occupational pensions, into an AJ Bell SIPP free of charge". Its key features say transfers can come from any UK-registered pension scheme, and that a pension already in drawdown can move too.
Two limits matter. AJ Bell says you are "not allowed to transfer from most public sector pension schemes"; the NHS pension and Teachers' Pension pages look at those two schemes. And the investments must be ones AJ Bell can hold: "You should check what you can transfer to us beforehand."
How to transfer a pension into an AJ Bell SIPP
- Ask the old provider for the facts. AJ Bell tells you to ask for the pension's current value and whether moving means losing guaranteed benefits or facing penalties such as market value adjustments.
- Open the SIPP, or log in. A new customer enters the pension details during the application, which is covered in how to open an AJ Bell SIPP. Someone with a SIPP already logs in and chooses "Transfers".
- Choose cash or investments, as the next section explains.
- Let AJ Bell chase it. Once it has the details it needs, AJ Bell says it will "handle the rest of the admin". The key features add that arranging the transfer from the old scheme remains your responsibility.
- Follow progress. The "Transfers" page shows the status, and AJ Bell emails when everything from your previous provider has arrived.
If nothing shows there, AJ Bell says it may not yet have received your transfer form, which can take a few days to process. What your old scheme asks of you varies, and an adviser on the call-back can explain what to expect.
Moving cash or investments: what comes across?
The key features allow either route: cash, or cash and investments held, provided they are investments AJ Bell allows. Moving holdings without selling them is an in specie transfer, explained in what an in specie pension transfer means.
If you sell first, AJ Bell says you will be "out of the market until your transfer is completed", which helps if markets fall and costs you any gains if they rise, and that during a transfer you cannot buy or sell investments.
How long will an AJ Bell SIPP transfer in last?
AJ Bell gives typical times by what is moved, and says pensions usually take a bit longer than ISAs or Dealing accounts:
| What is transferred | Typical time AJ Bell gives |
|---|---|
| Cash only | 2-4 weeks |
| Shares | 4-6 weeks |
| Funds | 6-8 weeks |
| International shares | 10-12 weeks |
Much of the wait sits with the old provider: its reply speed, its paperwork, and any fees you owe it. Pension scam rules make trustees and administrators consider transfer requests carefully; AJ Bell says that in most cases they will not delay a pension transfer, though more information is sometimes needed. For delays and amber flags, see how long a pension transfer takes.
Does it cost anything to transfer into an AJ Bell SIPP?
AJ Bell's charges page says: "We don't charge for moving an account to us". Your old provider may charge to let you leave, which is why AJ Bell advises checking for exit fees first. It offers to cover some of them: up to £35 per line of stock moved in specie and up to £100 for exit fees, to a maximum of £500 per person, where the account is worth at least £20,000 when you instruct the transfer. Its offer terms (AJBYI/ISAAFC/T&C/20260901) require UK residence, let it reclaim the payment if you close the account within 12 months, and allow it to change or withdraw the offer without notice. You claim with proof of the costs, and AJ Bell pays within 28 days of a valid claim once the transfer is complete. Pension transfer bonuses and cashback looks at offers like this.
Once the money is in, ordinary charges apply. For shares AJ Bell's account charge is "0.25% (max £10 per month)", and funds start at 0.25% on the first £250,000. See pension charges and pension transfer fees for comparisons.
What to check before you move a pension
AJ Bell warns that you "may give up guarantees over the way you access your pension, the amount you receive and any increases that apply to your pension in the future", and that the old provider may apply a penalty or a reduction. Market value reductions explains one such reduction.
For a final salary pension, the FCA says: "The FCA and The Pensions Regulator (TPR) believe it's in most people's best interests to keep their DB pension." By law, the old scheme's trustees must check you took appropriate independent advice unless your safeguarded benefits are worth no more than £30,000 as a transfer value (regulation 5 of SI 2015/742, as substituted from 6 April 2018). AJ Bell's own line is a final salary pension "worth £30,000 or more": an adviser must recommend the transfer, and you and your adviser complete its financial advice declaration form. Final salary pensions sets out what you would be giving up.
AJ Bell adds that if you are in ill health there may be an Inheritance Tax liability if you do not survive the transfer by two years, and it points to Pension Wise for free guidance (what Pension Wise is). On scams, the FCA says they "often involve attractive offers that aim to persuade you to transfer your pension pot"; see FCA, pension scams.
Where a guarantee, penalty or health issue applies, have it explained by phone: the short form here gets an adviser to ring you.
Can you change your mind after transferring?
The key features give you 30 days from the date of AJ Bell's email confirming your transfer to cancel a transfer payment, by post or email, giving your name, SIPP account number and the transfer you are cancelling. They warn that if you make an investment during the 30-day cancellation period you lose your cancellation rights, for the SIPP, contributions and transfers alike. You can also transfer out to another provider at any time. Taking money out later is covered in AJ Bell SIPP drawdown.
Smaller points on moving a pension to AJ Bell
Can I move a pension from Barclays or another bank into an AJ Bell SIPP?
AJ Bell's key features say you can transfer from any UK-registered pension scheme, though not from most public sector schemes. Whether a particular old plan can leave, and on what terms, is set by that plan, so ask its provider first.
Is there an AJ Bell pension transfer form?
Details go in during the application, or through "Transfers" once you have a SIPP. A final salary pension worth £30,000 or more also needs AJ Bell's financial advice declaration form, completed by you and your adviser.
Can I move a pension I am already drawing from?
AJ Bell says pensions you have started taking an income from can move. Check with the old provider that yours can; see moving a drawdown pension.
One conversation can cover the old scheme, your tax and your plans together; a request through the form here starts that call. See also moving a pension into a SIPP, how to transfer a pension and what a SIPP is.