Pension Jargon Buster

Uncover the value of your pension wealth
pension jargon buster guide

Helping you understand pension jargon!

Our Pension Jargon Buster offers readers a valuable glossary of financial terms and phrases to help you cut through technical jargon and understand your pension planning.

A-Z of Pension Terms

An A-Z of over 90 common words and phrases used in pension advice; this FREE guide is a must for your personal financial toolkit. Pension planning seems a lot more complex than it actually is. All you need to understand is what you have in place, and what your options are.

Pension statements, valuations, option forms and transfer calculations can be very confusing.

Claim your free pension jargon buster guide

Pension advisers speak another language. Pension benefit statements are filled with technical pension jargon, and financial acronyms. Understand what it all means with our FREE pension jargon buster.

Pension statements are littered with technical terms and confusing acronyms. From SIPP to DB; RAC to GARs, we explain what it all means. Our guide has been written just for us. You won’t find a glossary of pension terms quite like it elsewhere.

Our guide covers popular pension terms, but if you think we’ve missed anything, please get in touch! Check out our news and blog, which is regularly updated with articles about specific pension terms and help with your planning options.

 

Search the Pension Glossary Online

Jargon Buster - Pension Glossary

Pension JargonDefinition
Additional State Pension/SERPSBenefits accrued in a pension which were collected from 'contracting' (opting) out of additional State pension credits
Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs)AVCs are accrued when a pension scheme member has opted to add further contributions. This builds an additional pension fund alongside scheme benefits
Annual AllowanceThe maximum amount a UK taxpayer can contribute to pensions each year, and gain tax relief
Annual Management Charge (AMC)The management fees charged to an investment fund, expressed as a percentage
AnnuityA contract of income for life, obtained from a private insurance company in exchange for pension funds at retirement
Appropriate Independent AdviceAdvice in relation to a transfer of safeguarded pension benefits, delivered by a qualified Pension Transfer Specialist from an FCA regulated firm, independent of relevant parties, and holding the correct advisory permissions
Appropriate Pension Transfer Analysis (APTA)A formal pension analysis using professional tools, produces a statistical report (Transfer Value Comparator, TVC) comparing existing benefits held to the proposed new pension arrangement, while accounting for assumptions over inflation, investment performance and costs.
At-Retirement AdviceAdvice delivered to an individual who is in the 'at-retirement' stage of planning, comparing their immediate retirement options under their existing scheme benefits, with the option of transferring benefits out
Attitude to RiskA description of the level of investment risk an individual is prepared to take with funds, typically assessed using a professional tool or questionnaire
Benefit Crystallisation There are several 'benefit crystallisation events' (BCE), including the point at which a member takes pension benefits, death, or upon transferring funds to a QROPS. This is the stage where the lifetime allowance test is conducted.
Bridging PensionA short-term income typically lasting from the time an individual claims income benefits to their State pension age from a defined benefit scheme
Cancellation RightsA transfer of benefits out of a pension scheme is irreversible, however the arrangement of a new plan offers a period of time where the individual can cancel without negative effect, this is typically 30 days
Capacity for LossAn investor must consider whether they can suffer investment loss without it having a negative effect on their financial lifestyle or security. For example, while an investor may want to take an aggressive approach to investment, should they not have sufficient wealth or income in place elsewhere, it would be inappropriate to take such risk; they do not have the 'capacity for loss' that such risk could entail
Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE)Where pension income benefits are linked to average earnings over an individual's service or a certain period of time
Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (CETV)The amount a pension scheme has calculated to be available to a member to transfer to their private arrangement, in exchange for their safeguarded scheme benefits
Ceding SchemeThe scheme from which a transfer value (CETV) is being considered for transferring out
Client AgreementThis is a 'terms of business' document advisory firms use to engage clients for the provision of professional advisory services
CommissionAn amount payable to an adviser or intermediary, which is directly funded via fixed product costs levied on funds held
Commutation FactorA defined benefit scheme member will have the option to 'commute' a portion of their income benefits in exchange for a Pension Commencement Lump Sum (PCLS), this is calculated using scheme commutation factors
Consumer Prices Index (CPI)A measure of inflation in the UK, determined by the cost of a basket of goods, excluding the costs of home (e.g. rising mortgage, rental, council tax costs)
Contracted-out BenefitsPension benefits obtained by 'contracting' (opting) out of additional State pension benefits
Critical YieldExpressed as a percentage, the critical yield is an estimated annual return required to match the scheme benefits under the proposed plan.
Cross-border AdviceWhere advice is delivered from one country to a resident of another country
Death BeneficiaryThe individual/s or charities nominated to receive benefits in the event of the death of a pension member
Deferred BenefitsPension benefits held by a scheme for an individual's retirement
Defined BenefitA pension scheme whose benefits are pre-determined/guaranteed
Defined Contribution SchemeA pension determined by contributions made to it, without any guarantees over what benefits may be available at retirement
Dependents PensionScheme income death benefits which would be available to be claimed in the event of a member's death. This is typically payable to a spouse or qualifying financial dependent such as children or a long-term partner.
Discharge FormsA pension scheme's required paperwork in order to authorise the transfer of funds
Discretionary Fund ManagementA discretionary fund manager is permitted undertake investment transactions within a portfolio without prior reference to the owner. The mandate is agreed at the start, as are the parameters within which the investment manager must operate.
Discretionary IncreasesWhere the revaluation (pre-retirement) and/or escalation (post-retirement) of income benefits under a defined benefit scheme is entirely awarded at the discretion of pension scheme trustees
Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs)These are cross-country government agreements where legislation is clearly outlined in relation to taxation, and should be considered in all cases where funds are withdrawn outside of the country of origin.
Early Retirement FactorsScheme-specific factors which determine the reduction in income benefits should a member claim retirement income prior to the scheme's 'normal' retirement age
Enhanced AnnuityA form of pension annuity which has been enhanced due to the applicant demonstrating poor health following an underwriting assessment
EscalationHow inflation-linked income benefits revalue post-retirement
FactfindA form used by advisory firms to obtain comprehensive personal and financial information about a client, as well as their planning objectives
Final Salary SchemeWhere pension income benefits are determined by a calculation involving the member's salary at their date of leaving, and years of pensionable service
Financial Advice Declaration (FAD)Confirmation that advice has been delivered to a pension scheme member by a Pension Transfer Specialist
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)The UK financial regulator of advisers and intermediaries
Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)The FSCS was set up under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and exists to protect clients of FCA authorized firms. The FSCS offers a range of protection across different types of financial products. For further details about the FSCS and how it may protect you, visit www.fscs.org.uk
Flexi-Access DrawdownIncome drawdown without limitations. While income is not capped or limited under flexi-access drawdown, it is taxable.
Flexible Pension BenefitsPension funds held in a form of private or personal pension plan. This is typically identified as a plan with a fund value, where funds are invested in the markets and therefore the value is subject to investment risk and explicit costs.
Funding DeficitShould a scheme's total assets be deemed insufficient provision for its long-term liabilities (i.e. paying scheme member pensions) by an independent auditor, it will be determined to have a funding deficit.
Funding StatusHow a scheme's actual resources compare to its long-term liability of paying scheme members their income benefits for their lifetimes. This is regularly assessed by scheme auditors.
Guarantee Period (death benefits)A period of time where scheme benefits will be payable in full, in the event of the death of a member
Guarantee Period (transfer value)A scheme member's CETV is typically guaranteed for three months from calculation
Guaranteed Annuity Rates (GARs)Where a pension provider will offer an annuity using a minimum rate, typically only at a certain retirement age, with specified ancillary benefits
Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP)The GMP is a guaranteed minimum pension income at retirement, typically honoured only at age 65 for men and 60 for women. They are a form of 'contracted out' pension provision, obtained by an individual opting out of additional State pension credits.
Hurdle RateThe estimated rate of return required from the proposed plan to achieve a fund from which a level (non-inflation linked) annuity can be purchased, at a value matching the starting income of the existing scheme
Hybrid SchemeA pension arrangement containing a mixture of benefit types, this can include a combination of safeguarded and non-safeguarded assets
Income DrawdownDrawing a regular income from a private pension arrangement, while funds remain invested and subject to investment risk
Inflation Linked IncomeIncome which rises each year in line with a pre-determined measure of inflation, this may be subject to an annual cap and is set by the scheme
Investment BondA form of investment wrapper subject to certain rules and restrictions, within which investments are made and traded. This typically comes with a fixed charging structure and pays an intermediary commission.
Investment FundsInvestment funds are a collection of monies managed by an investment team according to their specific mandate and risk profile
Investment PlatformAn investment product offering the ability to hold and trade investments
Investment RiskFunds invested into the markets are subject to investment risk. The value of funds can fall as well as rise.
Late Retirement FactorsFactors used by a scheme to determine any enhancement which may be awarded to income which is claimed later than a scheme's 'normal' retirement age
Lifetime AllowanceThe maximum amount an individual may hold across their UK pension benefits before it may become subject to taxation upon crystallisation
Lifetime Allowance ChargeA taxation applied in the event of a benefit crystallisation event where funds are in excess of the lifetime allowance
Limited Prices Index (LPI)An inflationary measure. This is usually the lesser of the annual increase in the Retail Prices Index (or Consumer Prices Index) and 5%, although the percentage limit can vary.
Liquidity RiskThe risk of being able to access money and withdraw funds, this can be due to restrictions over investment funds or products. Where an investor might be unable to convert an asset into cash without suffering penalty, or be unable to trade assets when fund are required.
Minimum Pension AgeThe earliest age from which a healthy individual can claim benefits from a UK pension, determined by legislation
Money Purchase SchemesA form of defined contribution scheme, where the value is determined by contributions and the success of investments, subject to explicit costs
Non-Contingent ChargingA fee which is payable with no regard to whether planning was put in place
Normal Retirement AgeThe age from which scheme benefits are available in full
Ongoing Charges Figure (OCF)A representation of the overall charges of an investment fund, including typical trading costs and the Annual Management Charge (AMC). Previously known as the Total Expense Ratio (TER)
Option v option adviceWhere advice is a restricted ‘option v option’ assessment of whether it is more suited for an individual to retain their benefits in their current state, within an existing scheme, or approve a specific proposal presented and recommend that the transfer of benefits does suit that individual's objectives, and is appropriate to their needs and long-term planning. It is important to note that while the transfer may be deemed appropriate, that does not mean that there isn’t a more suited, more flexible, lower cost, better functioning or more established solution available on the marketplace.
Overseas Transfer Charge (OTC)A taxation levied upon benefits being transferred overseas to a QROPS arrangement, unless the transfer is excluded from the charge.
Partial Pension TransfersA scheme may offer a partial transfer option, where some funds may be transferred away while some benefits are retained under the scheme.
Pension at Date of Leaving (DOL)The value of income benefits calculated at the point a member leaves pensionable service, which will be held under the scheme for that member's retirement and typically benefit from inflation-linking
Pension Commencement Lump Sum (PCLS)A lump sum payment upon commencement of benefits which is free of UK taxation
Pension Increase Exchange (PIE) OptionSome schemes offer options at-retirement, to adjust scheme income benefits to account for pre-determined inflationary increases
Pension Protection Fund (PPF)The PPF was set up in April 2005 to give protected for members of a pension scheme if the scheme winds up and there are insufficient assets to provide members' benefits. See www.ppf.org.uk for more details.
Pension Sharing OrderWhere a member's pension benefits is subject to a sharing order following a divorce settlement, typically expressed as a percentage of benefits or as a specific right
Pension Transfer Specialist (PTS)A UK regulated financial adviser with the required qualifications in order to advise upon the transfer of safeguarded pension benefits
Pension TrusteeA regulated trust company whose responsibilities are to look after pension funds for the benefit of its members
Pensionable ServiceA period of employment where an individual has qualified to accrue company pension benefits
Phased RetirementWhere a pension member utilises their PCLS entitlement across tax years rather than taking a full lump sum at commencement of benefits
Pound (Dollar) Cost AveragingBuying shares or currency across a period of time in order to gain an 'average' price rather than trading all at once
Protected rightsPension benefits obtained by 'contracting' (opting) out of additional State pension benefits
Public Sector SchemesPension schemes accrued through government service, such as employment under the Police or NHS. Such benefits are not able to be transferred-out, except under the Public Sector Transfer Club.
Public Sector Transfer ClubWhere members of public sector pension schemes can transfer their previous public sector-linked benefits to a current public-sector pension arrangement
Qualifying Regulated Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS)A type of overseas private pension wrapper, approved by HMRC to accept UK pension transfer funds.
Receiving SchemeThe pension arrangement whereby funds are proposed to be transferred to
Reduction in Yield (RIY)The effect of costs upon projected growth, typically expressed as a total percentage
Restricted AdviceAdvice which does not consider the whole of the market, and is instead restricted to consider certain areas of advice or certain products/solutions only.
Retail Prices Index (RPI)A measure of inflation in the UK, determined by the cost of a basket of goods, including typical costs at home (e.g. rising mortgage, rental, council tax costs)
Retirement Income Strategies - Income ModellerAn additional report using the Selectapension tool; used to determine the longevity of funds when planning a withdrawal strategy, while accounting for assumptions over inflation, investment performance and costs
Retirement QuotationAn offer of income for immediate retirement, often including various options for taking a lump sum in exchange for a lower income
RevaluationThe way a deferred pension income links to inflation pre-retirement
Risk ProfileA description of the level of investment risk an individual is prepared to take with funds, typically assessed using a professional tool or questionnaire
Safeguarded BenefitsSafeguarded pension benefits include defined benefit schemes (whether “career average” or “final salary”), and other scheme types which hold valuable benefits that would be lost in the event of transfer.
Scheme Administrators/TrusteesThe pension trustees for an individual's safeguarded pension scheme
Section 32A safeguarded pension arrangement which usually contains a protected tax-free cash allowance and restricted access to monies.
Section 9(2b) rightsSection 9(2b) rights are benefits accrued after 1997 under a scheme contracted out under the “Reference Scheme Test” and must guarantee a minimum level of income, calculated by reference to salary.
Self Invested Personal Pension (SIPP)A UK regulated private pension arrangement, which holds pension investments for retirement planning.
Spousal PensionAn income death benefit available for the lifetime of a surviving spouse, from a defined benefit scheme upon the death of a scheme member
State Second Pension/S2P/SERPSBenefits accrued in a pension which were collected from 'contracting' (opting) out of additional State pension rights
Statement of EntitlementConfirmation of a pension member's benefits held under a pension scheme
Statistical AnalysisAn analysis of whether a pension transfer is appropriate from a financial point of view, assuming the individual lives to normal life expectancy.
Transfer Value Comparator (TVC)Produced using a professional Transfer Value Analysis System (TVAS) and forming part of the Appropriate Pension Transfer Analysis (APTA); a statistical report comparing existing benefits held to the proposed new pension arrangement, while accounting for assumptions over inflation, investment performance and costs.
Letter of Authority (LOA)Formal appointment of an advisory firm by a client can made using a 'Letter of Authority'. This can be used for pension research and/or transfer of advisory agency.
Letter of Authority (LOA)Formal appointment of an advisory firm by a client can made using a 'Letter of Authority'. This can be used for pension research and/or transfer of advisory agency.

Speak to a Professional

We introduce clients to regulated, professional and qualified advisers across the UK and internationally.

Our panel of adviser firms must undertake a comprehensive due diligence process. We only refer to firms with locally-appropriate regulation and insurance.

Ask us anything

didn't find what you are looking for?

search Our Site

About This Site

Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of our website and publications, they are intended as a guide only. Readers are advised to seek professional regulated financial and tax advice before making any changes to their planning or investments. Our publications, including website and guides do not offer investment or pension advice and nothing in them should be construed as investment or financial advice. Our publications, including guides and website are not, and should not be seen as, a recommendation to use any particular investment or planning strategy.

You must carry out your own research before making any investment decision or change to your planning. The information published has been obtained from sources that we believe to be accurate. Although reasonable care has been taken, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information published. Articles and opinions published may be wrong and may change at any time. You must always carry out your own independent research and verify information and data you collect before making any financial decisions or planning changes.

Financial and pension planning is complex, and must be tailored to the individual client’s needs, objectives and circumstances. Teach Learn Resources Ltd do are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and do not offer financial or tax advice. Our only business is to act as a professional introducer to regulated IFA firms worldwide. Contact us for more details about our panel of approved adviser firms and the regulation held in your jurisdiction.

Please see our Privacy & Terms for more information about the company, protection of your data and terms of use.

All content on this website and associated publications have been written by us and is the intellectual property of Teach Learn Resources Ltd. We take plagiarism seriously; our lawyers are watching.

Reviewmypensions.com is a trading style of Teach Learn Resources Limited. Teach Learn Resources Limited is registered in England and Wales company number 13349666. Registered Office 591 London Road, Cheam, Sutton, England SM3 9AG.

All rights Reserved