The Pensions cashback and incentives discussion thread

flipper_72

I contacted vanguard yesterday as I was in the same situation. One of the 5 choices they gave me was that I chose not to take advice. Vanguard are clearly using delay tactics. Hopefully the transfer happens in time for the cash back 🤞

drob4

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81892926#Comment_81892926

I think the cash back is based on the date the transfer was initiated. At least I hope so.

UncleTomCobley

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81891244#Comment_81891244

Thanks for highlightling this.

I've poured over the current Freetrade 1% ISA & SIPP cashback offers' (ending 5 April 2026) T&Cs (https://freetrade.io/legal/2026-tax-year-end-offer) and can't see anything similar - though there are a lot of words.

The only thing I can see that may be somewhat similar (though not exactly the same) is:

"7. You will only remain eligible for an Award after you have met the criteria in 5 and 6 above if you:

(a) keep the Relevant Freetrade Account open until the Award is made;" 

I'm not sure if changing the account type (eg from Plus to Standard) because of the new fee charges would fall under (a) - it would seem a little mean.

I don't suppose you know what the 3% offer's T&Cs said on the billing cycle related exclusion.

Lifematters

Freetrade have now paid the £1,500 cashback from the 2025 3% Sipp transfer offer into my GIA account 😀

artyboy

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81893332#Comment_81893332

I don't have them to hand but I think they are in this thread somewhere. They did specify that you had to be on an annual billing cycle at the point it was due to be paid on the 27th. Although it sounds like at least one person has theirs already (mine hasn't materialised yet)

Hold on… just found it, here you go

https://freetrade.io/legal/2025-sipp-transfer-offer-terms-and-conditions

artyboy

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81893391#Comment_81893391

good to know, now I just have to wait for mine - no reason it shouldn't be paid but not arrived yet!

Bemma

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81891244#Comment_81891244

I received an email from Freetrade on 16th Jan, which I interpreted as meaning I would still be eligible for the cashback, even if my plan was downgraded. Extract: "If you participated in the 3% SIPP transfer cashback offer that ran between 5 June 2025 - 31 August 2025, you’ll need to make sure you still meet all the required terms and conditions up until 27 February 2026 to be eligible for any cashback. 

As long as you meet these terms and conditions up until 27 February, you will still receive your cashback even if we downgrade you on 27 February 2026. There is no need to opt out of being downgraded to receive your cashback, as long as the other terms are met."  

UncleTomCobley

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81893401#Comment_81893401

Thanks and interesting - I've copied the partcular bit from the 2025 T&Cs below.

7. You will only remain eligible for an Award after you have met the criteria in 5 and 6 above if you:

(a) keep the Freetrade SIPP Account open until the Award is made; 

(b) keep your Freetrade Plus annual subscription in effect until after the Award is made and pay your subscription fee on time; and

(c) do not downgrade your Freetrade subscription;

(d) do not make a withdrawal or transfer which causes the value of the Freetrade SIPP Account to reduce by more than £10,000, at any time before we make the Award; and

(e) are not in breach of Freetrade’s Terms and Conditions (or the Freetrade SIPP Terms, as applicable) do not have any outstanding liability to Freetrade, or have not behaved in a way that we reasonably consider to be abusive, in bad faith, or fraudulent.

Comparing these to the 2026 version, parts(b) & (c ) have gone version and point (d)'s withdrawl restriction has been replaced (now in (b) by " do not make a withdrawal or transfer which causes the value of the Relevant Freetrade Account to fall below the amount of your Qualifying Transfer(s) at any time before we make the Award"

Where

6. A “Qualifying Transfer” means a payment of at least £10,000 (GBP) net at the date the transfer/payment is received by us (“Minimum Net Funding Amount”) by means of either or both of: 

(a) transfers of cash and/or investments which are made into a Freetrade ISA or Freetrade SIPP from an investment account you hold with another provider using the transfer links provided by Freetrade or by using the Freetrade App which are initiated by you during the Validity Period; or 

(b) a cash subscription into your Freetrade ISA or top-up of cash into your Freetrade SIPP. 

This seems to say - for the 2026 version - that no withdrawls can be made unless the assets held value have increased (and perhaps even stay increased over the period) by more than the withdrawal amount. I may have to check with Freetrade on this to make sure as it seems quite significant.

artyboy

I seem to recall someone saying that they had amended terms from the point that the offer was originally in effect, to the current day. If so that is very naughty and obviously unenforceable, but at the same time would depend on someone actually having a screen grab (or cached version) of the original terms rather than us just relying on a web link that Freetrade can update at will.

artyboy

Without wishing to sound pessimistic. the subsequent 2% and 1% cashback offers also have the following term in them:

14. We reserve the right to not make an Award under this SIPP Transfer Campaign if you have breached the terms and conditions of any Freetrade campaign you have previously participated in.

So basically if they assert that anyone is not eligible for the 3% cashback due to 'breaching' any of the terms in that campaign, then you're also going to be SOL for the others, regardless of how closely you have followed the terms there. So let's see if I get paid in the next week or so, but it's just possible that I might be pulling out completely. And throwing in a formal complaint for good measure.