Final Salary Closed Pension Transfer

CynOpt

Hi,

I am trying to emigrate to Australia, and it is generally recommended that you move your pension there within 6 months to avoid a nasty chunk of tax.

However, I have always been under the impression ( can't find paperwork to back this up ) that if I were to transfer out of the Final Salary pension (now closed up) that I had with my employer (I am no longer with them) from 1983 - 1999, I would lose all the employer contributions that were made during that time.

Is this possible?

Also, the scheme from 1999 to 2005 ( when I left ) is now going into the PPF, will I be able to transfer out of that>

Thanks for any help.