Firstly, are you certain you’ll retire in New Zealand? If you transfer your pension here and later move overseas, there may be significant tax consequences.
If there’s any chance you’ll return to the UK, it’s usually best to leave your pension benefits there.
If you’re confident you’ll remain in New Zealand, transferring could provide greater control and alignment with your retirement plans.
Everything you need to make an informed decision is outlined below.
Ask your UK pension provider for a Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (CETV).
Shows the value of your pension and provides transfer paperwork.
No obligation — requesting does not lock you in.
First 4 years in NZ → transfers are generally tax-free.
After 4 years → rising foreign superannuation tax applies.
We connect you with a specialist tax adviser to confirm your liability.
Money Purchase Schemes → usually straightforward.
Defined Benefit / Final Salary Schemes → complex, as you swap a guaranteed income for investment returns.
FCA requires UK-regulated advice for defined benefit transfers.
We help you engage trusted UK pension transfer specialists.
Guide you through the CETV request process.
Explain tax rules and connect you with expert advisers.
Analyse your scheme type and what transfer means for you.
Partner with UK FCA-approved specialists to ensure compliance.
In short: we simplify the process, minimise risks, and help you decide if transferring your UK pension to New Zealand is right for you
Transfer costs matter — don’t lose a big slice of your pension to high fees.
Defined Benefit clients must engage a UK adviser for an Appropriate Pension Transfer Analysis (required by the FCA). This costs around £3,500.
Avoid extra adviser charges — some initial transfer fees can be as high as 5% of your pension value.
We help you keep costs transparent and fair.
Many QROPS in NZ restrict you to a narrow fund range from one provider.
At Hamilton Hindin Greene, we recommend only custodial superannuation schemes giving access to:
UK-listed investment trusts
Direct equities & bonds
Low-cost ETFs
This means lower holding costs and the ability to build a bespoke global portfolio.
Jeremy Simpson —15 years’ experience as a UK pension transfer specialist.
Holds the Advanced Financial Planning Certificate (G60) in Pensions from the Chartered Insurance Institute.
Four years in London as a pension broker with Clerical Medical Investment Group.
Keep fees low and transparent.
Provide access to world-class investments.
Deliver specialist, UK-qualified expertise.
Guide you through a smooth, compliant transfer process.
In short: Hamilton Hindin Greene helps you transfer your UK pension cost-effectively, with more choice and the right expertise.
You’ll need to request a Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (CETV) from your UK pension provider. Your provider will provide you with a valuation and the forms required to transfer your UK pension to a QROPS. This is a no-obligation request. Contact Jeremy if you’re unsure what to ask for.
Yes, after age 55, which is the earliest retirement age for a New Zealand ROPS you can access 100% of the transferred fund, subject to any early withdrawal penalties and withdrawals are regarded as tax paid, so no further tax to pay as an individual tax payer
UK pension providers vary widely in the speed of their response to transfer
enquiries, and even in the methods they are willing to use to transfer funds –
but most transfers take around three months. But depending on the requirements of the transferring scheme, requests for additional information can sometimes extend this timeline by a number of months. We do our best to expedite the process, couriering documents to the UK, and calling to confirm receipt of documents and
for frequent progress reports.
You can hold the majority of UK pension schemes in pounds sterling with our preferred New Zealand pension schemes, until you are ready to implement your investment strategy. Please note that under NZ tax laws currency gains made are taxed within the pension fund whilst losses can be offset.
No – most pensions can be transferred any time as long as you have not yet purchased an annuity. But you may want to consider transferring during the 4-year tax exemption period for new migrants and returning New Zealanders if they have been away from New Zealand for more than 10 years, as it may be tax advantageous to do so. Please click here for an explanation of the tax rules for foreign superannuation lump sums.
No, KiwiSaver Schemes have lost their QROPs status on 6th April 2015. They have been removed from the HMRC list of QROPS schemes. QROPS Schemes must not allow any withdrawals prior to age 55 apart from ill health. As KiwiSaver schemes do allow withdrawals for financial hardship, permanent emigration from New Zealand and first home buyers before that age, their QROPS status has been removed.
Most New Zealand QROPS have limited investment choice, but our preferred schemes allow you to select from literally thousands of investments, including cash, stocks and shares, managed funds, fixed interest investments, listed property trusts and UK investment trusts. We work with you to design a portfolio of investments within your pension scheme that helps you to reach your goals but also to ensure that you are comfortable with the investments recommended.
Monitoring reports will be sent out quarterly and a formal review of your portfolio is recommended on an annual basis. Your adviser can be contacted at any time for more frequent reviews of your investment portfolio or to make changes as considered necessary.
