Average simple pension transfer times on the Origo Transfer Index (OTI) have hit the 10-day mark for the first time since September 2024.
According to the latest figures from Origo, simple transfers were completed in an average of 10.0 days over the period from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. The last time simple transfer times fell below this level was during Summer 2024 when they hit 9.8-9.9 days in June and September respectively, before ticking up again slightly to reach a maximum of 11 days since.
Prior to this, it was March 2021 when transfer times were last under the 10-day mark during the pandemic. Simple transfers (which account for nearly 90% of all transfers on the Origo Transfer Service) relate to a company’s performance when they have more control over the process for relatively straightforward pension assets moving away from their business.
The overall pension transfer time for the period, which includes more complex cases where providers may need additional information from third parties, came in at just 11.0 days. This has also improved from 11.4 days recorded previously, highlighting the industry’s continuing strides across the board.
Pension transfer volumes and values
A total of 1.8 million transfers were completed across the Origo Transfer Index over the 12-month period, increasing from 1.7 million previously. Meanwhile the combined value of transfers also reached £78.6 billion, up from approximately £75 billion in 2025.
The Origo Transfer Index
Origo’s Transfer Index tracks the pension transfer times of almost 30 voluntary participants from its pension transfer service, including all of the big pension providers in the industry.
Performance is measured on how long it takes the ceding provider to transfer the request, including any due diligence and divestment of funds before sending the customer’s money to the acquiring provider.
Anthony Rafferty, CEO of Origo, says: “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 IHT 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.”
