FOS decisions / Pension Transfer to SIPP
Pension Transfer to SIPP
Financial Ombudsman Service final decisions, reproduced verbatim from the FOS published decisions register.
Decisions
23
Upheld
17
Not upheld
6
Avg redress
£709
Upheld complaints (17)
James Hay Administration Company Limited
DRN-6158440Pension transfer schemes must adhere to the TRIG framework's ten business day timeframe for cash transfers, with each step requiring two full working days plus the day of receipt.
UpheldRedress £2,577Jan 2026True Potential Investments LLP
DRN-6158458A SIPP receiving scheme is liable for delays in processing pension transfers that result in loss to the member through delayed reinvestment.
UpheldJan 2026iPensions Group Limited
DRN-5790055A pension provider must refuse a SIPP transfer if the financial adviser lacks appropriate regulatory authorization to advise the member in their jurisdiction of residence.
UpheldMar 2025Decision DRN-6249120
A business must provide clear and consistent information to consumers about the timing of key documents, and should correct misleading verbal advice promptly.
UpheldRedress £100Profile Financial Solutions Limited
DRN-6202606Financial advisers must recommend investments suitable to a consumer's stated attitude to risk and circumstances; unsuitable fund recommendations in a pension transfer can constitute advice failure even if the transfer itself was justified.
UpheldDecision DRN-6250008
A pension adviser must present all reasonable options available to a client, including accessing tax-free cash from existing schemes without transferring, before recommending a pension transfer.
UpheldDecision DRN-6222765
A pension provider must provide fair service, manage customer expectations appropriately, and avoid causing financial detriment through administrative delays and errors.
UpheldPathlines Pensions UK Limited
DRN-6110276A pension provider must process pension transfers promptly and clearly communicate requirements to avoid delays that cause financial loss to the member.
UpheldInteractive Brokers (U.K.) Limited
DRN-5756536A broker must provide clear information about account structure and segment requirements, and must process time-critical fund transfers promptly to avoid losses from forced position closures.
UpheldRedress £400Scottish Widows Limited
DRN-6184638A provider should compensate for losses directly caused by its delays, but only where it is reasonably certain the investment would have been made but for the delay.
UpheldRedress £525Quai Investment Services Limited
DRN-6266564A pension provider must process pension transfer requests promptly and efficiently, without causing unreasonable delays that result in financial loss to the consumer.
UpheldQuai Investment Services Limited
DRN-6266554A pension transfer administrator must process transfer requests within a reasonable timeframe and cannot use increased workload from a business acquisition as justification for substantial delays.
UpheldLondon & Colonial Services Limited
DRN-5593307A SIPP operator must ensure that investments held within the pension are appropriate and that it takes reasonable steps to prevent unsuitable investments.
UpheldAviva Life & Pensions UK Limited
DRN-6230081A pension provider must give accurate information about how pension savings will be valued and invested when a member reaches age 75 and transfers to a SIPP.
UpheldOrigen Financial Services Limited
DRN-5977214On termination of an ongoing advice agreement, a financial adviser is only entitled to charge for the proportionate amount of service already provided, not full monthly charges.
UpheldOptions UK Personal Pensions LLP
DRN-6032601A SIPP provider must carry out adequate due diligence on unregulated introducers to ensure compliance with regulatory obligations before accepting pension transfers.
UpheldInvestment Funds Direct Ltd
DRN-4459847A SIPP platform operator must conduct adequate due diligence on securities and DFMs before permitting their use, including scrutinising conflicts of interest where a DFM and bond issuer are part of the same group.
Upheld
Not-upheld complaints (6)
Decision DRN-6221142
Pension transfer requests to overseas accounts must comply with UK pension legislation, regulatory requirements, and anti-fraud obligations including verified address verification and QROPS transfer documentation.
Not upheldFeb 2026Decision DRN-6213205
A firm must handle pension transfer and annuity processes with appropriate coordination and without unnecessary delays or administrative errors.
Not upheldOct 2025Decision DRN-5696218
An adviser is not responsible for suitability of arrangements inherited from a previous adviser, but must ensure any new recommendations are suitable within the constraints of existing arrangements.
Not upheldDecision DRN-6127185
Pension transfer advice must be suitable based on the consumer's attitude to risk and capacity for loss, considering the overall portfolio composition and available alternatives.
Not upheldPrudential Assurance Company Limited
DRN-6174893A pension provider must conduct appropriate due diligence under the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Conditions for Transfers) Regulations 2021 to protect consumers from pension scams, but must do so reasonably and not request inf
Not upheldInvestAcc Pension Administration Limited
DRN-6033634Receiving pension schemes may impose higher safeguards than the minimum legal requirement and can require financial advice for DB transfers below the £30,000 statutory threshold.
Not upheld