Willis Owen is one of the UK’s longest-standing investment platforms, originally making its name as a discount broker before evolving into a comprehensive DIY investment hub. In a major shift for the brand, Moneyfarm acquired Willis Owen in late 2024, with the integration finalising in 2025.
In 2026, Willis Owen remains a favorite for investors who value high-quality research and a vast selection of funds, now backed by the digital wealth management power of the Moneyfarm group. While it retains its heritage of "human-led" customer service, it is increasingly becoming a tech-driven choice for modern retirement savers.
If you are wondering whether Willis Owen/Moneyfarm is the right platform for your pension investments, get in touch below and one of our independent advisers will review this.
Get 100% independent pensions advice today
Our independent financial advisers have a deep working relationship with pension providers across the UK, including Willis Owen.
Whether you want to transfer your pension to Willis Owen 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:
Willis Owen Pension Products
Willis Owen focuses on providing a clean, accessible platform for "Self-Invested" savers.
-
The Willis Owen SIPP: Their core retirement product. This SIPP allows you to build a custom portfolio from over 2,000 funds, as well as UK shares, ETFs, and Investment Trusts.
-
Ready-Made Portfolios: For those who prefer a "hand-off" approach, they offer a range of risk-rated portfolios. These are built using their expert research and the insights of their partner, Morningstar.
-
No Dealing Fees on Funds: One of their standout 2026 features is the absence of transaction fees when buying or selling mutual funds, making it an ideal platform for those who regularly rebalance their fund portfolios.
Tiered SIPP Service Fees (2026)
|
Portfolio Value |
Annual Service Fee |
|
First £100,000 |
0.40% |
|
Next £150,000 |
0.25% |
|
Value over £250,000 |
0.15% |
Putting a Willis Owen Pension into Drawdown
As you reach retirement age (currently 55, rising to 57 in April 2028), Willis Owen provides a "Guided Drawdown" experience.
-
Flexi-Access Drawdown: You can take your 25% tax-free lump sum and keep the rest invested. You decide how much income you need and when to take it, all managed through their online portal.
-
Investment Pathways: If you aren't sure how to invest while taking an income, Willis Owen offers four simple "Pathways" based on your 5-year goal (e.g., "I plan to take all my money out" or "I want a long-term income").
-
24/7 Monitoring: Their dashboard provides real-time updates on your "crystallised" (drawdown) and "uncrystallised" (saved) pots, helping you track how much tax-free cash you have left.
Reviewing Your Existing Willis Owen Pension
With the transition to Moneyfarm, a pension review is a smart move for any existing account holder:
-
Platform Integration: Ensure your account has been fully migrated to the new 2026 digital infrastructure. This often unlocks new reporting tools and faster withdrawal processing.
-
Cash Interest Check: Willis Owen (via their partner Embark) pays interest on uninvested cash. In early 2026, the rate is approximately 1.7% (on balances where they earn more). A review can help you decide if that cash should be reinvested for better growth.
-
Share Dealing Costs: If your SIPP holds a lot of individual shares or ETFs, remember the £7.50 trade fee. If you trade frequently, a flat-fee SIPP (like Interactive Investor) might be more cost-effective.
Transferring To and From Willis Owen
Consolidating your retirement savings or moving your pension is a major decision. Willis Owen, now backed by Moneyfarm, has streamlined its transfer processes to be as digital and efficient as possible.
Transferring INTO Willis Owen
Consolidating multiple old pension pots into a single Willis Owen SIPP can make your retirement planning significantly easier to manage.
-
Ease of Consolidation: Willis Owen is noted for its efficiency in tracking down and transferring old pension pots from previous employers or providers.
-
The Process: Most transfers are initiated digitally through their online portal. As part of the wider Moneyfarm group, Willis Owen uses the Origo electronic transfer network, meaning most cash-based transfers from other major UK providers typically complete within 10 to 15 working days.
-
In-Specie Transfers: If you already hold funds that are available on the Willis Owen platform, you may be able to transfer them "in-specie" (as they are) without having to sell them and move as cash.
Transferring OUT of Willis Owen
While Willis Owen aims to be a long-term home for your retirement savings, the platform remains fully portable should you choose to move elsewhere.
-
No Exit Fees: Willis Owen does not typically charge a penalty or exit fee for transferring your SIPP to another UK-registered pension provider.
-
Portability: You can move your funds at any time. If you are moving to a flat-fee provider because your pot has grown significantly, the transfer is handled electronically between Willis Owen and your new provider.
-
Asset Liquidation: If you hold individual UK shares or ETFs and wish to transfer out as cash, remember that the standard £7.50 trade fee will apply to sell those holdings before the cash can be moved. Mutual funds, however, can be sold with no dealing fees
Pros, Cons, and Customer Reviews
The Pros
-
Research Powerhouse: Exceptional fund analysis and "Starter Portfolios" backed by Morningstar.
-
No Fund Dealing Fees: Perfect for investors who prefer unit trusts and OEICs over shares.
-
Reliable Heritage: Over 25 years of experience in the UK market.
-
Consolidation Ease: Very efficient at tracking down and transferring old pots.
The Cons
-
Share Fees: £7.50 per trade is higher than modern "zero-commission" apps.
-
No US Stocks: As of 2026, you still cannot buy individual US shares (like Apple or Tesla) directly.
-
Service Fees: 0.40% on the first £100k is slightly higher than basic providers like Vanguard (0.15%).
Customer Consensus
The consensus across major platforms like Trustpilot and Boring Money is that Willis Owen remains a "steady and trusted" hand in a rapidly changing market. Long-term users frequently cite the consistency of the customer service team and the clarity of their investment guides as the primary reasons for staying. There is a general feeling that the platform is "built for adults" - avoiding the "gamified" feel of newer trading apps in favor of professional, research-heavy content.
However, a secondary consensus has emerged regarding the tech transition following the Moneyfarm acquisition. While most appreciate the updated website, some "old-school" users miss the simpler legacy interface. Additionally, there is a recurring theme among younger investors that the lack of a high-performance mobile app (compared to True Potential or Moneyfarm’s own app) makes it feel slightly "traditional."
"I’ve been with Willis Owen for 12 years. The research they provide is second to none. I love that I can read a Morningstar report and then buy the fund without a dealing fee. It feels like a platform for serious savers." — Trustpilot Review, Jan 2026
"Transferring my old Aviva pot was easy. The new 2026 dashboard is much cleaner, though I wish they would lower the share trading fees. £7.50 feels a bit steep when other apps are doing it for free." — Member Review, Feb 2026
How Our IFA Service Can Help
At Money Helpdesk, we connect you with Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) who can help you navigate the Willis Owen / Moneyfarm ecosystem.
Our IFA partners help you by:
-
Platform Comparison: Comparing Willis Owen’s tiered fees against Moneyfarm’s managed portfolios to see which side of the group is best for your pot size.
-
Portfolio Construction: Using Willis Owen’s 2,000+ funds to build a truly diversified, bespoke 2026 retirement strategy.
-
Drawdown Modeling: Calculating exactly how much you can take from your Willis Owen SIPP each month to ensure your money lasts until age 95+.
-
Tax Efficiency: Managing your contributions to ensure you maximize your 2026/27 tax year allowances.
Get started here to begin a free, no-obligation with an IFA who specialises in Willis Owen’s products and services and can help you assess whether they are right for your retirement needs.