Changing jobs-what to do with pension?

manofthemoment

My partner has just changed jobs after 3 years. When she started her previous job (she works for a charity) she started paying into the pension scheme. She has now changed jobs, she is working for a similar salary but on reduced hours from her previous job (28 instead of 35).

She now has to decide what to do with her pension from her previous job. She wants to join the pension scheme for her new job but she has to complete a 3 month probation period before she is allowed to join. My main question is this: would she be allowed to freeze her previous pension account and then transfer it to her new one when she is allowed to join? Is this OK to do? Or would it be best to freeze her existing payment and leave it, just paying in to the new one when she is allowed to join it?

dunstonh

would she be allowed to freeze her previous pension account and then transfer it to her new one when she is allowed to join?

Ususually.

Is this OK to do? Or would it be best to freeze her existing payment and leave it, just paying in to the new one when she is allowed to join it?

Depends on the pension schemes in question. She could lose or gain by transferring it. We cannot tell without knowing the facts and a transfer analysis taking place.