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QROPS Pension Transfer to SIPP
Is a QROPS Still Right for You?
If you are a UK expat with a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) in Malta or Gibraltar, it may be time to re-evaluate whether it still aligns with your long-term retirement objectives.
While QROPS once offered distinct advantages, shifts in personal circumstances, evolving tax legislation, and the enhanced flexibility and regulatory clarity of SIPPs mean a transfer could now be more suitable.
With Titan Wealth International, you can receive clear, regulated advice to determine whether moving your QROPS to a UK SIPP offers better value, control, and future security.
Why Your QROPS May No Longer Be Suitable in 2025
QROPS were once a leading solution for British expats seeking to manage their pensions abroad. However, many of the advantages that originally justified these offshore structures have diminished. Without a recent review, you could be exposed to higher costs, restricted flexibility, and reduced tax efficiency.
3 Pillars to Your Pension Consolidation
Pension
Advice
Tailored, expert advice to optimise every aspect of your retirement plan.
Pension
Transfers
Seamlessly move your pensions to a structure that fits your future.
Investment
Management
Grow and protect your pension with strategic, ongoing investment management.
When a SIPP May Be More Suitable Than a QROPS
While QROPS were once ideal for many UK expats, evolving regulations and financial needs mean transferring from a QROPS to a SIPP may now be more appropriate. Any decision to transfer must be based on regulated advice, as certain tax benefits or Double Taxation Agreements may no longer apply.
Lower Trustee and
Administration Costs
Many SIPP providers offer significantly lower annual fees than offshore QROPS trustees. Over time, reduced costs can improve long-term returns.
Transparent
Investment Structures
SIPPs require advisers to use clean share classes with no embedded commissions. In contrast, some QROPS platforms permit non-standard share classes, meaning identical investments may carry an additional 2% to 5% cost, often as hidden adviser remuneration.
Greater Flexibility
in Retirement
Unlike certain QROPS, which use outdated GAD calculations, SIPPs provide full pension flexibility. This allows income to be tailored to your evolving retirement needs and tax position.
Stronger Regulation
and Consumer Protection
SIPPs are regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority and benefit from FSCS protection, offering an additional layer of security for UK residents.
Simplified Tax Treatment
for UK Returnees
If you intend to return to the UK or already reside there, a UK SIPP often offers clearer tax treatment under HMRC rules compared to maintaining a pension overseas.
Aligned With Modern
Retirement Planning Needs
Your personal or financial circumstances may have changed since your QROPS was established. A UK SIPP may now better reflect your goals and provide a structure aligned with modern retirement planning.
How Our Service Works
Book a complimentary 15-minute call to discuss your current pension setup, frustrations, and goals. We’ll let you know whether a formal review makes sense, with no obligation to proceed.
If a review is appropriate, you’ll be matched to a financial adviser who will conduct a detailed fact find to understand your current QROPS, retirement plans, and cross-border circumstances.
Once we’ve reviewed the fees, fund structure, income options, and tax implications of your existing QROPS, we’ll present a clear recommendation. This might include a transfer to a UK SIPP, a transfer of agency so we manage your existing QROPS more efficiently, or advice to remain exactly where you are. Either way, you’ll leave with clarity and a second opinion, free of charge.
If you choose to proceed, we’ll handle the entire process.
- A full QROPS to SIPP transfer typically takes 6–8 weeks.
- A transfer of agency (where we manage your existing QROPS) usually completes within 4–6 weeks.
If the best advice is to stay with your current setup, you walk away with peace of mind, and no fees paid to us.
Book Your Complimentary QROPS Review
We specialise in helping expats reassess and restructure their pension arrangements as their circumstances evolve. Our team can help you evaluate your QROPS against the alternatives and make an informed decision.
Start with a 15-minute discovery call to see if your current QROPS is still the most suitable structure. You’ll receive:
- A review of your current fees and performance.
- A clear breakdown of retirement income options.
- An analysis of any tax considerations or benefits you might lose or gain.
- A full comparison with leading UK SIPP providers.
QROPS to SIPP Transfer FAQs
Not always. While a SIPP can offer lower fees and better transparency, there may be reasons to keep your QROPS depending on your tax residency, retirement destination, and lump sum options.
Potentially. Some jurisdictions, like Malta or Gibraltar, offer benefits such as favourable tax rates or higher lump sums. It’s important to assess this with an adviser.
A UK SIPP is regulated in the UK but can still be suitable for non-residents. However, it does mean your pension is held under UK rules again.
Clean share classes have no commissions built into the fund. This means you only pay an agreed management fee to your adviser, making costs more transparent and often lower.
Book a complimentary call with one of our cross-border pension specialists to review your QROPS. There’s no obligation, just clear, unbiased guidance.
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