Pension transfers took an average of 10 days to complete in the 12 months to 31 March, the fastest level recorded since 2024.
Figures from the Origo Transfer Index show that simple pension transfers were completed in an average of 10 days, marking a turnaround after transfer times edged up to as much as 11 days in the previous period.
Origo’s figures were published this week and relate to the period between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026.
Before 2024, the last time average transfer times fell below 10 days was during the pandemic in March 2021.
Anthony Rafferty, chief executive officer at Origo, said: “2026 is clearly off to a fantastic start for pension transfer times and the continuing efforts of the industry at large are to be congratulated, particularly given the ongoing demand across the market and the range of transfer types providers are handling day to day.
“As we look ahead, there are a number of regulatory and market developments on the horizon, including the upcoming changes to inheritance tax rules on pensions. While these may influence customer behaviour over time, the industry must strive to maintain these turnaround times while continuing to deliver quality service to customers during a time of significant change for retirement planning.”
Simple transfers account for almost 90% of all cases processed through the Origo Transfer Service and typically involve more straightforward pension assets, where providers have greater control over the process.
Overall transfer times, including more complex cases requiring additional third-party information, also improved to 11 days, down from 11.4 days previously, signalling broader efficiency gains across the market.
Transfer activity continued to rise over the year, with 1.8 million transfers completed through the Origo Transfer Index, up from 1.7 million a year earlier. The total value of transfers also increased to £78.6bn, compared with around £75bn in 2025.
Origo’s Transfer Index tracks the performance of almost 30 voluntary participants, including many of the UK’s largest pension providers. The index measures the time taken by ceding providers to complete transfers, including due diligence checks and fund divestments, before assets are passed to the receiving provider.
