Can you transfer an NHS, teachers' or final salary pension to a SIPP?

The short answer: Usually not for NHS and Teachers' pensions. Since 6 April 2015, the law has blocked transfers from unfunded public sector schemes into a SIPP. NHS members with under 2 years' membership are the main exception. A private final salary pension or a council (LGPS) pension often can move, but over £30,000 you must get regulated advice first.

Can I transfer my NHS pension to a SIPP?

Not if you have 2 or more years' qualifying membership. The NHS Business Services Authority's transfer out guide says that from 6 April 2015, transfers to schemes that offer "flexible" benefits aren't allowed. A SIPP (self-invested personal pension) is one of those schemes, because you can take your money out in different ways.

There's one exception. If you have less than 2 years' membership, you can move to a personal pension, including a SIPP, as long as you:

• take out the new pension within 12 months of leaving NHS work

• apply for the transfer within 12 months of taking it out

• finish the transfer before you reach your normal pension age

The NHS Pensions FAQ adds that any transfer must be paid before your normal pension age. Your forms need to be back at least one month before that date.

With 2 or more years, you can still move your NHS pension to another defined benefit scheme. That includes other public sector schemes in the "Transfer Club". Club transfers have their own time limits, such as applying within 12 months of joining the new scheme.

Capital at risk. The value of your pension can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you pay in.

Tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future.

Can I transfer my teachers' pension to a SIPP?

No. The Teachers' Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme that pays pensions from public money rather than from a pot of savings. Its 2024-25 annual report calls it "statutory, unfunded" and says it is "wholly unfunded".

That matters because of section 68 of the Pension Schemes Act 2015. It only lets members of unfunded public service schemes transfer to a scheme that doesn't offer flexible benefits. A SIPP does, so the door is shut. The explanatory notes say why. Most of these schemes are unfunded, so allowing transfers out "would expose the Exchequer to significant risks".

You can usually still transfer to another defined benefit scheme. If you want to check the details for your own record, ask Teachers' Pensions. Just a heads-up: its website says some services are paused until 2 November 2026 while it moves to a new administrator.

Which public sector pensions can move to a SIPP?

It comes down to one question: is the scheme funded or unfunded? MoneyHelper says most public sector schemes won't allow a transfer to a defined contribution pension, such as a SIPP. The big exception is the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), which is funded.

Based on NHSBSA, LGPS, MoneyHelper and FCA guidance, checked 27 October 2026. Your own scheme's rules decide what applies to you.

For the LGPS, the member website says you can transfer to a scheme with flexible benefits if you've left and haven't taken your pension yet. You must have stopped paying in. You also can't transfer if you left less than a year before your normal pension age.

Can I transfer a final salary pension to a SIPP?

Often, yes, if it's a private sector scheme and its rules allow it. A final salary pension is a type of defined benefit pension. It pays a set income based on your pay and years of service, rather than a pot.

The government's guidance says you can only transfer to another registered UK pension scheme. Moving it anywhere else counts as an unauthorised payment, and you'd pay tax on it.

MoneyHelper flags a few limits worth knowing:

• You often can't transfer within a year of your normal retirement date.

• You can't usually transfer once your pension has started paying out.

• Your transfer quote, called a cash equivalent transfer value (CETV), is usually valid for 3 months.

• Your scheme has up to 3 months to send the quote, and a second one within 12 months might cost you.

• A transfer often takes 2 to 6 weeks, but your provider has up to 6 months.

Because the quote runs out quickly, MoneyHelper suggests finding an adviser before you ask for it.

Do I need financial advice to transfer a final salary pension?

Yes, if it's worth more than £30,000. The law says your scheme must check you've had appropriate independent advice before moving guaranteed benefits into a scheme with flexible benefits. The regulations set the line at a transfer value of £30,000 or less, where that check isn't needed.

The advice has to come from a firm the FCA has authorised for this. The FCA says to look on its register for firms listed as "advising on pension transfers and opt-outs".

What it costs, and who pays:

• The cost: MoneyHelper says advice can often cost thousands of pounds.

• Who pays: you, unless your employer offered you an incentive to transfer. Then your employer must pay.

• Full or abridged: a shorter "abridged" review can only tell you a transfer isn't suitable. You'd need full advice to go ahead.

• No refund for "no": the FCA says you'll usually pay the same for full advice, whether or not you transfer.

Your adviser should give you a written suitability report. It sets out their recommendation, the reasons, and the risks of moving or staying put.

What would I give up by transferring a defined benefit pension?

Quite a lot, in most cases. The FCA and the Pensions Regulator believe most people are better off keeping their defined benefit pension. A transfer can't be reversed, either.

Here's what changes if you move to a pot like a SIPP:

Based on MoneyHelper and FCA guidance, checked 27 October 2026. Your scheme's benefits may differ.

If you're thinking of moving because you're worried your employer might fail, you'd also lose the protection of the Pension Protection Fund for eligible schemes.

The FCA says a transfer is probably not for you if this is your main pension, or you couldn't live on a lower income. It may suit some people with other retirement income, or with a limited life expectancy. Everyone's situation is different, so we can't say what's right for you. An adviser can look at yours properly.

Example: three people, three answers

These people and figures are made up, for illustration only.

1. Maya, nurse, 11 years in the NHS scheme. She can't move her NHS pension to a SIPP. She could move it to another defined benefit scheme, or leave it where it is.

2. Leon, left the NHS after 18 months. He opened a SIPP 4 months after leaving. He can apply to transfer, as long as he applies within 12 months of opening it. His transfer value is £9,000, so the law doesn't require advice, though he can still get some.

3. Priya, old council job, LGPS transfer value £45,000. She has stopped paying in, so she can ask to transfer. Because it's over £30,000, she must get regulated advice first and pay for it herself.

What can I do now?

A few calm checks before you decide anything:

1. Check which type of pension you have. MoneyHelper's guide to defined benefit pensions explains the difference, or ask your scheme. Our guide to the different pension types can help too.

2. Ask your scheme what it allows. Check your years of membership, any time limits and your normal pension age.

3. Compare like with like. If you also have old workplace pots, our guide to moving a pension into a SIPP covers those transfers.

4. Get free guidance. MoneyHelper's pension specialists are on 0800 011 3797.

5. Ignore cold calls. MoneyHelper says a call, visit, email or text out of the blue about your pension is likely a scam.

If you're simply trying to tidy up lots of small pots, our beginner's guide to pension consolidation walks through what to check first.

Still got questions?

Is a SIPP better than an NHS pension? They work in very different ways. An NHS pension pays a guaranteed income. A SIPP is a pot that can rise or fall. For most people with 2 or more years, the choice doesn't arise, because the transfer isn't allowed.

Can I undo a pension transfer? No. The FCA says you can't reverse a transfer, so it's worth taking your time.

Does Pension Wise cover final salary pensions? No. Pension Wise appointments cover defined contribution pensions only. MoneyHelper's specialists can still help with other questions.

What about my AVCs? Additional voluntary contributions (AVCs) are often a separate pot. The NHS guide says to contact your AVC provider directly. The LGPS says you don't have to move them with your main pension.

Can I transfer my LGPS pension while I'm still paying in? No. The LGPS says you can only transfer once you've stopped paying into the scheme.

What if my provider stops my transfer? MoneyHelper says your provider can stop a transfer if it has serious concerns about a scam. It can also delay it until you've had a free Pension Safeguarding Guidance appointment.