Fidelity International is a global investment powerhouse, managing hundreds of billions in assets for millions of customers worldwide. In the UK, Fidelity is a top-tier provider for both individual investors through their Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) and for employees via some of the country’s largest workplace pension schemes.
In 2026, Fidelity continues to lead the market with its "Navigator" tools, robust research, and a highly competitive fee structure for larger portfolios. Whether you are starting your retirement journey or looking to consolidate multiple pots, Fidelity offers one of the most comprehensive platforms in the UK.
Get in touch below for an independent assessment of whether Fidelity is the right pension platform for you from a qualified pensions specialist.
Get 100% independent pensions advice today
Our independent financial advisers have a deep working relationship with pension providers across the UK, including Fidelity.
Whether you want to transfer your pension to Fidelity 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:
Fidelity Pension Products
Fidelity provides a range of pension vehicles designed to suit different types of savers:
1. The Fidelity SIPP
The Self-Invested Personal Pension is Fidelity’s flagship product for individual savers. It offers access to over 4,000 investment options, including funds, ETFs, investment trusts, and individual shares.
-
Investment Choice: You can choose from Fidelity’s own world-class funds or a vast selection from other leading fund managers.
-
Service: Access to the Fidelity "Navigator" tool, which helps you pick a ready-made portfolio if you don't want to select individual funds yourself.
2. Fidelity Workplace Pensions
Fidelity is a major provider of auto-enrolment and occupational pension schemes. Their "PlanViewer" portal is widely considered one of the best for employees to track their contributions, view their projected retirement income, and manage their investment choices.
3. Junior SIPP
Fidelity is a popular choice for parents and grandparents looking to jumpstart a child's retirement savings. Notably, Fidelity often waives its service fee on Junior accounts, making them highly cost-effective for long-term growth.
Putting a Fidelity Pension into Drawdown
As you approach retirement, Fidelity offers a sophisticated Flexi-access Drawdown service.
-
How it Works: From age 55 (rising to 57 in April 2028), you can normally take up to 25% of your pot as a tax-free lump sum. The remainder stays invested, and you can take a regular or ad-hoc taxable income.
-
Investment Pathways: If you aren't sure how to invest your drawdown pot, Fidelity provides four "Investment Pathways" designed to match your specific 5-year goal (e.g., "I want my money to provide an income").
-
Withdrawal Speed: Fidelity typically processes withdrawal requests within 8 to 13 working days, depending on whether they need to sell investments to raise the cash.
Alternatives to Drawdown
-
Annuities: Fidelity Wealth Management can provide guidance and quotes if you want to swap your pot for a guaranteed income for life.
-
UFPLS (Uncrystallised Funds Pension Lump Sum): You can take "one-off" payments directly from your pot. Each payment is 25% tax-free, with the rest taxed as income.
-
Small Pot Payments: If you have small Fidelity pots (under £10,000), you may be able to take them as cash without triggering certain tax restrictions like the MPAA.
Reviewing Your Existing Fidelity Pension
Many people hold old Fidelity pots from previous employers. A professional review is essential to ensure they are still optimised for your 2026 goals:
-
Workplace vs. SIPP Fees: Sometimes, the fees you pay in a workplace scheme are lower than a personal SIPP because your employer negotiated a bulk discount. A review will determine if it’s better to leave the money where it is or move it to a personal account.
-
Cash Management: With UK interest rates shifting in 2026, a review can ensure your "cash" holdings within the SIPP are earning the best possible return.
-
Beneficiary Update: It is vital to check your "Expression of Wish" form. Pensions are generally exempt from Inheritance Tax (though rules are changing in 2027), so ensuring your money goes to the right people is a priority.
Transferring To and From Fidelity
Transferring INTO Fidelity
Fidelity is currently very active in attracting pension transfers.
-
Cashback Offer: For the 2025/26 tax year, Fidelity is offering cashback rewards (ranging from £300 to £3,000) for those who transfer a pension or ISA by April 5, 2026 (terms and conditions apply).
-
Speed: Using the Origo electronic network, most cash transfers complete within 2 to 3 weeks.
-
In-Specie Transfers: Fidelity supports the transfer of actual fund holdings from other providers, meaning you don't always have to sell your investments to move.
Transferring OUT of Fidelity
If you choose to move to a different provider, Fidelity makes the process straightforward.
-
No Exit Fees: Fidelity does not charge exit fees to move your money to another provider.
-
Process: You initiate the request with your new provider, and Fidelity coordinates the transfer of cash or assets electronically.
Pros, Cons, and Customer Reviews
The Pros
-
Tiered Fee Discounts: The annual service fee drops from 0.35% to 0.20% for portfolios over £250,000, and is capped at £2,000 per year for million-pound pots.
-
No Fund Dealing Fees: You can buy and sell funds without paying a commission.
-
Wealth Management: Customers with over £250k get access to a dedicated relationship manager and enhanced insights.
The Cons
-
Minimum Investment: There is a relatively high minimum of £1,000 (lump sum) or £25 (monthly) to open a SIPP.
-
App Limitations: While functional, some users find the mobile app lacks the "slickness" of newer fintech competitors.
What Customers are Saying (2025-2026)
"The website research tools are the best I've used. I can drill down into fund performance easily, and the customer service team actually knows what they’re talking about." — Trustpilot Review, Jan 2026
"Fidelity is great for my large SIPP because of the fee cap, but I found the transfer of my old workplace pot a bit slow because of my previous provider's paperwork." — Member Review, Dec 2025
How Our IFA Service Can Help
At Money Helpdesk, we connect you with Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) who provide unbiased, whole-of-market advice. While Fidelity is an excellent provider, an IFA can determine if they are the best choice for your specific needs compared to others like AJ Bell or Vanguard.
Our IFA service helps you by:
-
Fee Comparison: We calculate the "total cost of ownership" at Fidelity vs. other providers to ensure you aren't overpaying.
-
Tax Optimisation: Ensuring your 2026/27 contributions and withdrawals are timed to minimize your tax bill.
-
Consolidation Management: We handle the paperwork for moving multiple old pots into Fidelity, ensuring you don't lose valuable old benefits.
-
Strategy Validation: Checking that your Fidelity "Navigator" or DIY fund choices truly match your risk appetite.
Get started here to speak with an IFA for a free review of an existing Fidelity pension or get bespoke advice on whether you should transfer your funds to them.