Cheers Chazz
Maybe I shouldn't disclose this on here. I honestly don't mind. I only have about 100k spread over 6 pensions. Maybe some investing Maybe and some drawdown and putting them all in one place. I've been quoted just under £5,000 to look after them all. It's still early days. I haven't committed to anything yet. I think that sounds steep but I don't know if it is or it isn't.
I appreciate all the replies.
I'm also hoping this thread can help me than just me because we all have different experiences don't we?
If you have c. £100k that needs sorting then £5k is outrageous. I assume if you stick with the advisor there would be ongoing fees as well.
As others have said, if any of the 6 are final salary (defined benefit) pensions, then it's most likely best just to leave them where they are and (as OM said) "let them do their thing" i.e. pay you a fixed amount (*) every month or quarter with certainty just like an annuity (* with annual inflation related increases). As mentioned earlier, they also provide some security for your spouse/ partner as they provide a spouses pension if anything happens to you, typically 50% of what you receive.
Assuming then that there are several others pensions that are money purchase (defined contribution) type pensions, it would likely make sense to consolidate them all into a SIIP with say Vanguard, AJ Bell (or similar), choosing a low cost, globally diversified fund such as Vanguard LifeStrategy 60 or AJ Bell Balanced Fund. Just look on their websites and they explain what they are. Do check for exit fees from your current pension providers, but, that said, it's unlikely to be an issue, and as you are over 55, they are anyway capped at 1% maximum, but may well actually be without any exit fee anyway (mine and my wife's were). As they are defined contribution schemes you don't have to take and pay for financial advice (as would be the case if they were final salary schemes above £30k or with guaranteed benefits that you were transferring).
Once consolidated in somewhere like Vanguard or AJ Bell, it's a doddle to manage them. You can drawdown how ever you want, to suit your needs and to optimise your tax situation (eg to limit withdrawals so you don't fall into a higher tax bracket for example).
Any remaining tax free cash that's still in those pensions could a) just be left so that every time you make a drawdown withdrawal a part of it is paid tax free to you, or b) be taken out and put into Stocks & Shares ISA's (same sort of funds with Vanguard or AJ Bell) or in Cash ISA's (see Zopa or Chip for examples of decent, flexible cash ISA providers). I did the latter for simplicity and so I had my hands on the money so to speak. £20k limit per year on how much you can put into ISA's, but you can use your allowance and also put some in your wifes / partners name too if needed.
Of course, only you can decide if you think it's worth paying the £5k, and ongoing charges, to have it managed for you. Maybe it is worth it if you really don't want the hassle or headache. All I'm saying is that, unless you have complications (tax wise, inheritance planning wise, etc) then it really is so easy to do it yourself and to avoid paying such money to financial advisers.
Good luck. Think they call it 'first world problems"
