Average simple pension transfer times have fallen to 10 days for the first time since 2024, according to the latest figures from the Origo Transfer Index.

Data from Origo showed that simple pension transfers were completed in an average of 10.0 days over the period from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, down from 10.2 days in 2025.

The firm said this marked the first time transfer times had reached the 10-day mark since September 2024, when transfer times fell to between 9.8 and 9.9 days during the summer months before rising again to a peak of 11 days.

Origo also noted that, before this, pension transfer times had been below 10 days only once, in March 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Simple transfers account for nearly 90 per cent of all transfers completed through the Origo Transfer Service and relate to more straightforward pension assets where providers have greater control over the transfer process.

The overall pension transfer time across all cases, including more complex transfers requiring additional information from third parties, improved to 11.0 days, down from 11.4 days previously.

Transfer volumes also increased over the period, with 1.8 million transfers completed across the index over the 12 months, up from 1.7 million previously.

Meanwhile, the combined value of transfers rose to £78.6bn, compared with around £75bn in 2025.

Commenting on the figures, Origo CEO, Anthony Rafferty, said: “2026 is clearly off to a fantastic start for pension transfer times and the continuing efforts of the industry at large are to be congratulated, particularly given the ongoing demand across the market and the range of transfer types providers are handling day to day.

“As we look ahead, there are a number of regulatory and market developments on the horizon, including the upcoming changes to inheritance rules on pensions.

"While these may influence customer behaviour over time, the industry must strive to maintain these turnaround times while continuing to deliver quality service to customers during a time of significant change for retirement planning.”

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