Transfers into Royal London usually start online and most take 4 to 12 weeks; leaving starts with the new provider. Royal London charges nothing either way.

Moving money into Royal London, out of it, or merging pots you already hold with it follows one broad route, but the checks differ. Whether a move suits you turns on what the old plan promises. Old-plan guarantees are the kind of thing an FCA-authorised adviser can look for, and the form on this page, once filled in, leads to a no-cost phone call. First, the process, using Royal London's own pages read on 3 November 2026.

Which pensions can I transfer into Royal London?

Royal London lists personal pensions, self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs), stakeholder pensions, group personal pensions, group stakeholder pensions and occupational money purchase schemes, including master trusts. It says some pensions carry valuable benefits or guarantees and that "If yours does, we may not be able to accept the transfer."

You also need a plan to move into. Royal London's personal pensions are available through financial advisers, so if you have no Royal London pension, "you'll need to speak to a financial adviser".

Not sure which Royal London plan you hold? Royal London pension plans describes each, and leaving Aegon shows the other end of a move.

How do I start a transfer into my Royal London pension?

You log in to Royal London's transfer hub or its mobile app and choose which of your Royal London plans should receive the money. Some older plans cannot be transferred online, and for those you contact Royal London. Have ready the provider's name, your plan number and a current transfer value, and decide whether it is a full or partial transfer.

What follows depends on the plan type:

  • Personal pensions: Royal London emails a personalised transfer illustration within five working days, and you then confirm whether to go ahead.
  • Workplace pensions: you read example illustrations in the hub or app and accept a declaration.

Royal London then checks eligibility, says straight away if it cannot proceed, and contacts the other provider. The general sequence with any firm is in how to transfer a pension.

Can I combine two Royal London pensions?

Yes. Choose the plan to receive the money in the hub or app, then name Royal London as the transfer provider. The annual management charge of the receiving plan applies to what arrives, so compare both plans' charges first; Royal London pension charges sets out what is published.

For a plan that moved to Royal London from another firm, its transfer page asks you to pick the original provider and shows the right route. If you cannot tell who holds an old plan, Royal London points to the Government's free Pension Tracing Service, and finding a lost pension explains the search.

What does a Royal London pension transfer cost?

Royal London states: "We don't charge anything for transferring to Royal London and we don't charge you to transfer to another provider." Its transfer-out page adds that its only charge is the annual management charge. Other costs can arise elsewhere, such as set-up fees at the new provider or fees for advice.

A different firm may charge to let you leave. Royal London's guide says some providers charge an exit fee and that "if you’re over 55 this is capped at 1%", and that some charge for switching investments. Your old provider's paperwork shows whether either applies. Pension transfer fees gives the wider picture, and a with-profits plan can carry a market value reduction.

How long does a Royal London pension transfer take?

Into Royal London, "Most transfers take between 4 and 12 weeks, depending on how quickly your other provider responds", and complex or overseas ones can take longer. To follow progress, you contact the previous provider. Out of Royal London, its page says transfers "can take up to 12 weeks to complete, sometimes longer", depending on complexity, how fast providers respond and whether you need advice. How long a pension transfer takes covers delays.

How do I transfer a Royal London pension out?

You start with the new provider, not Royal London. The new provider collects your pension details and confirms whether it will accept the transfer; if it does, it contacts Royal London to arrange the move. Royal London adds that in some cases, "especially if you're transferring a defined benefit pension or a high-value pension", you might need to speak to a financial adviser.

Before you ask, look through the plan for extras that would not travel, which Royal London says could be lost: a guaranteed annuity rate, loyalty bonuses and protected tax-free cash. For a workplace plan still receiving employer money, its guide says not to move away unless the employer agrees to pay into the new plan.

When does a transfer need regulated advice?

Legally, it turns on safeguarded benefits, which the Pension Schemes Act 2015 counts as everything except money purchase and cash balance benefits; a guaranteed annuity rate and a final salary pension both qualify. Under SI 2015/742, the trustees or managers need not check you have had advice "if the transfer value of the member’s or survivor’s subsisting rights in respect of safeguarded benefits under the pension scheme is £30,000 or less on the valuation date". The test is the transfer value of the guaranteed rights, not the size of the whole pot, and above £30,000 the check applies.

For ordinary money purchase pots, Royal London's guide says advice "isn't usually needed but may still be helpful". On defined benefit schemes the FCA says it and The Pensions Regulator "believe it’s in most people’s best interests to keep their DB pension". Royal London without an adviser, final salary pensions and finding a transfer specialist go further. A guarantee tucked into an old Royal London plan is what an adviser can read through with you; adding a phone number to this page's form arranges that conversation at no cost.

How do I check a pension transfer is not a scam?

Royal London says to make sure the person or firm you are dealing with is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and to check the FCA register. The FCA's page says scams often promise guaranteed returns, lean on pressure, or push unusual or complicated investments. Of an unexpected offer of a free pension review, it says "it’s likely to be a scam", and "Never take advice from the company that contacted you." Its pension scams page is the one to read, and pension transfer rules and red flags adds more.

More on Royal London pension transfers

Can I cancel a Royal London transfer?

Yes. Royal London says you can cancel your application, or cancel within a 30-day cooling-off period that starts when it receives your funds. Depending on investment performance, the amount returned may be lower than the amount transferred, and some providers or trustees may refuse the money.

Should small pots go into Royal London?

Royal London's guide says pots under £10,000 can sometimes be better kept separate, since that can allow later withdrawals without triggering tax restrictions. Small pension pots explains the exceptions, and whether to combine pensions at all weighs the pros and cons.

Will moving to Royal London give me a bigger pot?

Not necessarily. Royal London says combining pensions "doesn't mean you'll necessarily get a higher income or bigger pension pot", and invested values can fall as well as rise.

Still unsure about moving a pension to or from Royal London? Leave a phone number with our form and an adviser will ring you at a time that suits.