25 per cent

Bitstring , from the wonderful person Jef Roe said

No. However if you don't know that already, you might need some help after all. 8>.

Talk to the scheme managers (or the insurance company if it's a personal plan or some kind).

When I tried to deal directly with a pension provider (Pru) to get at my 25%, they didn't want to know. I had to work through an IFA.

ah the old jobs for the boys routine.

No, it's not jobs for the boys. It's because if the insurance company gets it wrong the regulator or the customer will go for it. So they get an IFA to do it. (a) the IFA is probably better trained than the insurance company (b) the insurance company may not have any advisors at all, good or bad, and won't do the business on an execution-only basis because it'll probably get skewered. Some types of business (such as this one) are extremely controversial.

Rob Graham

Yes I think one needs to approach a financial adviser for this. So just check it out.

In message , Andrew Jones writes

I very much doubt if you HAVE to. It's yours by right.

Mind you, when buying your annuity, it's probably well worth going through a financial advisor. He will do all the hard work, and won't take any bullshit from the pension company who has your pension pot stashed away (or anyone else). He will probably get you a better deal than you would get if you did everything yourself - and make sure that you get your 25%.