Phoenix Life Discharge Form

50000

I have two Abbey Life (now Phoenix Life) pensions, which I am transferring to an Interactive Investor SIPP.

I have initiated the transfer at II's end but II are stating I need a discharge form from PL. PL say they do not have such forms.

Who is right?

Thrugelmir

Have you notified Phoenix in writing of your intention to transfer? 

Albermarle

For transfers I have done , no discharge form or in fact any contact at all was necessary to the ceding scheme.
So not clear why II need these, have you asked them ?

50000

They have not stated I need to do so when I spoke to them stating my intention to transfer.

Here's the sequence so far:

1. I called PL stating I wish to transfer to II. They said I should now contact II and they handle the transfer, sending PL the necessary paperwork.
2. I created an account with II and initiated the transfers. I filled in two forms with my pension plan details and posted it to II. II say that I also need discharge forms from PL.

3. I contacted PL stating IIs request and PL say they don't do discharge forms. On the last call I was put on hold whilst the call handler checked with colleagues. I then got cut off.

xylophone

https://media-prod.ii.co.uk/s3fs-public/pdfs/Transfer_In_Guide.pdf?0oFzzRZ3E0jJ0SIzMEV5cs4Q5neBXaMh

Why might I need a discharge form?

Many pension providers use an agreed process to transfer your pension as quickly and easily as possible, but for those who do not, a signed transfer form will need to be provided, together with a completed discharge form as your authority to the existing pension provider to release the pension to us. They will provide this form to you; please complete, sign and send it to us. A signed authority may also be needed where an in specie transfer has been requested.

Phoenix must either use the "agreed process" or provide the DF?

Brynsam

50000 said:

They have not stated I need to do so when I spoke to them stating my intention to transfer.

Here's the sequence so far:

1. I called PL stating I wish to transfer to II. They said I should now contact II and they handle the transfer, sending PL the necessary paperwork.
2. I created an account with II and initiated the transfers. I filled in two forms with my pension plan details and posted it to II. II say that I also need discharge forms from PL.

3. I contacted PL stating IIs request and PL say they don't do discharge forms. On the last call I was put on hold whilst the call handler checked with colleagues. I then got cut off.

Ringing them again might be a better bet than posting here.

green_man

I went through something a bit similar with Phoenix recently.   

Does II use the Origi (not sure exactly what it’s called but something like that). If so then in theory you shouldn’t need to do much on the Phoenix end. However if the value of your transfer is high (not sure where the cut off lies, but somewhere in the £100k+ region) you may have to complete additional forms.

I discussed mine on the a phone with Phoenix and was told I didn’t need to do anything else on their end. I completed my transfer forms for Halifax SIPP (in my case). I then received a load of forms in the post from Phoenix, the main issue being a counter signature was needed by a Police/Teacher/Justice of peace Etc that has known you for 5+ years, this was a bit of a problem to sort out. Then a week later (before any of the Phoenix forms had been sent back by me) I receive notification from Halifax that the transfer is complete.!!
So it seems that one dept doesn’t know what another dept is doing a Phoenix and they don’t have a very joined up process.  On the positive side I had no problems contacting them and in actual fact things were done pretty quickly, just will an extra level of confusion thrown in for good measure.

50000

Absoultely. But posting here may prompt someone who has already done this procedure to say "You need to tell them you want an XYZ form".

dunstonh

50000 said:

I have two Abbey Life (now Phoenix Life) pensions, which I am transferring to an Interactive Investor SIPP.

I have initiated the transfer at II's end but II are stating I need a discharge form from PL. PL say they do not have such forms.

Who is right?

Phoenix is right.   The discharge form is issued by the ceding scheme.   The vast majority of Phoenix plans (depending on the legacy company) haven't issued discharge forms for many years.      Phoenix also use Origo for transfers on most of their plans (which also does away for the need for discharge forms). Nowadays, you only tend to see discharge forms on occupational pensions.

1. I called PL stating I wish to transfer to II. They said I should now contact II and they handle the transfer, sending PL the necessary paperwork.

That step is not necessary.  The receiving scheme intigates the transfer.  Not the ceding scheme.

2. I created an account with II and initiated the transfers. I filled in two forms with my pension plan details and posted it to II. II say that I also need discharge forms from PL.

Have they insisted on it or are they saying you need discharge forms if your ceding scheme issues them?  (i.e. is there an "if" in there)

50000

I contacted PL again and they confirm they do use Origo. They are paperless and there is no need to request a form if ii use that platform. They could not confirm that ii are also on Origo so they told me to go back to ii and inform them to use that system if available.

I have done that, so the ball is again back in ii's court.

50000

This is now complete. Both pensions have been transferred to ii's SIPP.

The initial delay was caused by an error on my behalf. On one of the forms I had ticked a box 'cash and investments' when I should have only ticked cash. The mistake meant an in-specie transfer would have had to be done, which requires a discharge form, and can not be paid by Origo.

Once that had been sorted out everything went smoothly. The company pension had transferred within 4 weeks, and the personal pension has transferred within 6 weeks.

Both Phoenix Life and Interactive Investor were very helpful with this.