How to withdraw money from your Aviva pension

Aviva pension withdrawal depends on your plan: Aviva says you can usually start at 55, rising to 57 from 6 April 2028 unless protected.

What follows is Aviva's own account of each route; which one suits you is your decision. Impartial guidance on the choices is free from Pension Wise, a government-backed service, and sorting out how Aviva's routes sit beside your other money is the work of an FCA-authorised adviser. A ring-back that costs nothing can be asked for in the form on this page.

When can I take my Aviva pension?

Pensions have a normal minimum age for starting to draw money. Aviva's Pension key features give it as 55 until 5 April 2028 and 57 from 6 April 2028, unless you have a protected pension age. Aviva's page on the change says some pensions "may have a protected age allowing access before 57, depending on scheme rules and transfer history", and that "you'll need to check each pension individually to confirm if a protected pension age applies". Having one Aviva plan with a protected age does not settle the position for the others. Aviva's minimum pension age page lists plan-number prefixes and who is affected by birth date; pension at 55 covers the rule generally.

Aviva adds that money can be taken earlier in some circumstances, "like if you're suffering from ill health or have a protected pension age". For serious ill health see cashing in a pension because of ill health; for the consequences of drawing money too soon, early withdrawal penalties.

How do I withdraw money from my Aviva pension?

It depends on which Aviva plan you hold. The Aviva Pension is a SIPP run online through MyAviva; company schemes and older Aviva plans are covered after the SIPP.

For the SIPP, Aviva says drawdown can be taken "as one lump sum, single payments when you need them or regular payments to suit you". Its drawdown page says an Aviva SIPP "beginning with 'AV2'" can apply for drawdown there; without one you "need to open one and transfer your pensions before you can apply". Aviva says it needs your bank account details before paying anything out, and these can be added to the policy in MyAviva. If you set up regular withdrawals, investments are sold automatically and the money moves to your cash account. Aviva's key features add that you "can't set up regular lump sum payments" under the lump sum option, and that an annuity can be bought from Aviva "but not through the Aviva online investment service". More on the routes is at uncrystallised funds lump sums and annuities.

Other plans differ. Aviva says "other existing pensions with Aviva may offer pension drawdown", so check with it first. Its 2025 guide to drawdown from an existing plan says there is currently no limit on withdrawals in any 12-month period but that it cannot set up automatic regular income payments. In a company scheme, a different option can be used each time money is taken from the accumulation fund. Aviva's workplace page describes withdrawing a cash lump sum, turning the pot into a regular income, or leaving it invested and taking some out as needed, "or you could mix-and-match all three". How to weigh these is covered in annuity or drawdown and pension drawdown.

Money left invested can fall as well as rise, and Aviva warns you may get back less than you paid in. Whether a lump sum, an income or a mix suits you turns on your other pensions, tax position and health, which one conversation with an adviser can cover. Ask for that conversation, at no cost, through the short enquiry form.

How long does an Aviva pension withdrawal take?

For a SIPP, Aviva says moving a pension in usually takes 3 to 6 weeks, after which drawdown usually takes two weeks, and "make sure the money you want to take is in your cash account or this could take longer". Aviva's guide for existing plans adds that in certain circumstances it may delay payments, including tax-free lump sums, for up to one month for most funds, or up to six months where a fund cannot easily be turned into cash, such as a property fund. Ask Aviva for the timing on an older plan. How long a cash-in takes looks at this across providers.

Aviva says you have 30 days to change your mind about setting up drawdown from an existing plan, but that you can cancel the drawdown only, not the decision to take a tax-free lump sum.

Does Aviva charge to take money out of a pension?

Aviva's Pension key features (July 2026 edition) say "we don't currently make a separate charge for taking your retirement benefits", and that charges continue as before. Aviva says its annual SIPP fee is 0.35% of the investments' value up to £500,000, and that it does not charge to open a SIPP or to transfer in for drawdown. Fund management charges depend on the investments chosen. Its guide for existing plans says money moved to drawdown from a with-profits fund may have a Market Value Reduction or Market Depreciation Discount applied. Aviva's drawdown page says "there will be a charge for advice" if you use its advice service. Full detail is in Aviva pension charges and pension charges generally.

How is money from an Aviva pension taxed?

Up to a quarter of what a pension has built up can usually come out tax-free, per GOV.UK, capped by the lump sum allowance of £268,275, which a protected allowance may raise. Tax on the remainder is deducted before payment, and a big withdrawal can mean a higher rate and more tax owing after the tax year ends. Lump sum amounts above your allowances are charged Income Tax. Income tax bands differ for people living in Scotland, GOV.UK notes; see its income tax rates page.

Flexibly accessing a pension might also lower your annual allowance for future pension saving; GOV.UK calls the lower allowance the money purchase annual allowance. Read GOV.UK's guide to tax on a pension and taking the tax-free lump sum. Aviva offers an illustrative pension withdrawal tax calculator.

Aviva pension withdrawal: the practical details

What happens to my Aviva pension at 75?

Aviva's guide to drawdown from an existing plan says that from 75 only drawdown funds can be held, so uncrystallised money must be moved, transferred or used another way beforehand. It says it will contact you before your 75th birthday.

Can I get regular monthly payments?

In the SIPP, regular drawdown withdrawals can be set up. On an existing plan, Aviva says it cannot set up automatic regular income payments, so ask which applies to yours. See options at retirement.

Can I change my mind after taking money?

For the Aviva Pension SIPP, the key features say you cannot change your mind once you take any benefits, "such as an income or tax-free cash". The 30-day window above comes from Aviva's guide for existing plans and covers setting up drawdown only.

Can I take my whole Aviva pension at once?

In the SIPP, Aviva says drawdown can be taken as one lump sum, and that after the tax-free 25% you are taxed on the remaining 75%. Cashing in a whole pension sets out the rules.

Is there an Aviva pension withdrawal form?

For an AV2 SIPP, Aviva's drawdown page has the application. Its key features say Aviva writes nearer your retirement date. Holders of other plans are asked to contact Aviva.

Still weighing it up? Aviva's options can be discussed with an FCA-authorised adviser if you request a call-back, and there is no fee.