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3.13.4 Transfer to a S.32 Buy Out Policy or to a Personal Pension Policy

  • The value of benefit accrued to date may be transferred to a buy-out or personal pension policy.

  • It should be borne in mind:-


    1. Policy belongs to the individual, who can choose the investment medium (within the normal guidelines) for the funds.
    2. Loss of guaranteed benefits (other than GMP or requisite benefits if S.32).
    3. Loss of guaranteed or discretionary increases.
    4. Loss of possibility of sharing in future surplus.
  • Features of the S.32 Contract:-

    1. The maturity date of the S.32 must be the same as the normal retirement date under the ceding pension scheme - but provision may be made for early and late retirement, with appropriate adjustments to benefits.
    2. Lump sum death benefits may be written under trust for inheritance tax planning purposes.
    3. Any relevant benefits may be provided (within approvable limits) whether or not the benefits were provided for in the rules of the original scheme. For example, an escalating pension could be provided in place of a level pension.
    4. The value of the benefits may be transferred subsequently to another approved pension scheme, apart from any portion which secures either the GMP or requisite benefits and these must be retained within the S.32 - it is only the remainder of the value which may be transferred.
    5. Protected rights benefits accrued as a member of a contracted-out money purchase scheme or a personal pension scheme may not be bought out.
    6. S.32 contracts cannot be assigned.
    7. Availability of open market option.
    8. Transfer values may be split between different policies, but the benefits must all be taken at the same time.
  • Features of a Personal Pension contract relevant to accepting Transfers:-


    1. PPs can accept transfers of FSAVCs whereas S.32 contracts cannot.
    2. Where the transfer value is split, the benefits can be taken at different times under each policy, which is not possible under a S.32 contract.
    3. PPs can accept transfers which include protected rights, whereas S.32 contracts cannot

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