Bestinvest is a powerhouse in the UK investment platform market, specifically catering to those who want a blend of DIY control and professional support. Owned by the wealth management giant Evelyn Partners, Bestinvest has positioned itself as a "one-stop shop" for pension savers, offering competitive fees and a unique focus on investor education.
In 2026, Bestinvest stands out for its free financial coaching, making it a popular choice for those who want a human sounding board without the high cost of traditional full-scale advice.
Get in touch below for independent advice about whether Bestinvest is the right option for your pension needs, in comparison to every possible alternative provider.
Get 100% independent pensions advice today
Our independent financial advisers have a deep working relationship with pension providers across the UK, including Bestinvest.
Whether you want to transfer your pension to Bestinvest or have an existing pension with then that you want to get the most out of, we can help.
The IFA's we work with can provide independent advice about pension transfers, reviews, drawdown, annuities and much more. Book your free initial consultation with them below:
Bestinvest Pension Products
Bestinvest offers a streamlined range of pension products designed to maximize tax efficiency:
1. The Best SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension)
This SIPP is their flagship product, designed for those who want to build and manage their own retirement pot. It offers access to over 3,000 funds, shares, ETFs, and investment trusts.
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Smart Portfolios: Low-cost, passive portfolios managed by experts.
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Expert Portfolios: Actively managed portfolios for those seeking higher growth potential.
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Direct Investing: For the true DIY investor who wants to pick individual stocks and niche funds.
2. Junior SIPP
A tax-efficient way to save for a child’s future. Like the adult version, it benefits from 20% tax relief on contributions, but the funds are locked away until the child reaches pension age (currently 55, rising to 57 in 2028).
Putting a Bestinvest Pension into Drawdown
As you reach retirement, Bestinvest provides a flexible Flexi-access Drawdown service that allows you to manage your transition from saving to spending.
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How it Works: You can usually take 25% of your pot as a tax-free lump sum. The remainder stays invested, and you can withdraw a regular or occasional taxable income.
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Customisation: Through the Bestinvest portal, you can easily change your withdrawal amounts or frequency to suit your lifestyle.
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2026 Interest Rates: Bestinvest is currently noted for offering competitive interest rates on uninvested cash held within the SIPP, which is helpful for those holding cash buffers during drawdown.
Alternatives to Drawdown
If you prefer not to keep your money exposed to market volatility, Bestinvest facilitates other options:
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Annuities: You can use your pot to buy a guaranteed income for life from a third-party provider.
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Uncrystallised Funds Pension Lump Sum (UFPLS): A way to take "chunks" of your pension as cash without moving the whole pot into drawdown. Each chunk is 25% tax-free.
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Staying Invested: You can choose to leave the pot untouched, allowing it to continue growing (tax-free) for your beneficiaries.
Reviewing Your Existing Bestinvest Pension
If you have held a Bestinvest account for several years, a periodic review is vital to ensure you are on the most cost-effective path.
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Fee Structure Check: Bestinvest recently simplified their fees. If you are on an older "legacy" charging structure, you could be paying more than necessary. A modern review can move you to the newer, more competitive tiered rates.
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Portfolio Rebalancing: Over time, your best-performing assets can become a larger part of your pot than intended, increasing your risk. A review helps bring your portfolio back in line with your original goals.
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Coaching Utilisation: Many users forget that unlimited 45-minute coaching sessions are included for free. A review of your pension with a coach can help validate your strategy.
Transferring To and From Bestinvest
Transferring INTO Bestinvest
Bestinvest is very aggressive in attracting new customers through pension consolidation.
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Fee Cover: They will pay up to £500 toward any exit fees charged by your current provider (terms and conditions apply).
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Speed: Electronic transfers via the Origo network typically take around 15 working days.
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Cashback: They frequently run promotions offering cash incentives (ranging from £100 to over £1,000) for transferring large SIPPs.
Transferring OUT of Bestinvest
If you find a provider better suited to your needs, transferring out is straightforward.
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Exit Fees: Bestinvest has waived its exit fees for modern accounts, meaning you can move your cash or investments to another provider without a penalty from Bestinvest.
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Manual Assets: If you hold very niche investments, the transfer may take longer as these often require manual processing rather than the standard electronic system.
Pros, Cons, and Customer Reviews
The Pros
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Free Coaching: The standout feature—access to qualified professionals for "sound-boarding" at no extra cost.
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Competitive Pricing: No dealing fees on funds or US shares.
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Excellent Research: Their famous "Spot the Dog" report helps investors identify underperforming funds.
The Cons
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Minimum SIPP Fee: There is a minimum service fee of £120 per year (£10/month), which can be expensive for very small pots (under £30,000).
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Manual Processes: Some users report that behind-the-scenes administration can be slower than purely automated platforms like Vanguard.
What Customers are Saying (2025-2026)
"The free coaching session with Sam was brilliant. No hard sell, just a very helpful discussion about my risk levels as I approach retirement." — Trustpilot Review, Jan 2026
"App is intuitive and the fund choice is huge. I moved my old workplace pensions here and saved a fortune in management fees." — Smart Money People Review, Nov 2025
How Our IFA Service Can Help
At Money Helpdesk, we connect you with Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) who can provide the formal financial advice that Bestinvest's coaches cannot. While a coach can explain options, an IFA can give you a specific recommendation on what you should do.
Our IFA service helps you with:
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Formal Suitability Reports: Providing a legal recommendation on whether transferring to Bestinvest is in your best financial interest.
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Tax Mitigation: Specifically for high earners, we ensure your pension contributions and drawdown strategy are optimized for the 2026/27 tax year.
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Complex Consolidation: If you have Defined Benefit (Final Salary) pensions, our specialist advisers can perform the required analysis to see if a transfer is viable.
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Whole-of-Market Comparison: Comparing Bestinvest’s 0.2%–0.4% platform fees against flat-fee providers to find the absolute lowest cost for your pot size.
Get started here to book a free, no-obligation chat with an independent financial adviser who specialises in Bestinvest’s products and services and can offer impartial guidance about whether they’re the right option for your retirement needs.