Basic Pension Info

xylophone

leaving his widow on a paltry widow pension and the lions share of the pot gone.

Are you sure of this? His FS pension must have been tiny for this to be the case.

An example http://www.shell.co.uk/pensions/socpf/shell-pensioner/what-if-i-die.html

And there is no pot in a FS scheme.

232607

Just my opinion. I don't believe the generic advise of not moving from a DB to a DC is true at present & I certainly don't accept stats of only 1 in 10 where it is a wise move. Gilt yields being on the floor are resulting in very large CETV's & these will reduce quickly if gilts move.
Having said that, no one can answer the OP unless we get more information.
We'd need to know the full details of the DB, the CETV, & his health status, otherwise any advise given can only be generic/speculative.

PS...Standard Life will currently (can't after 6/4/15) allow a DB to DC transfer without IFA sign off. They are only doing this because they consider that CETV's are so high, they can't get sued.

As I say. Just my opinion!!!