The 2026 SIPP Launch: What’s on Offer
In 2026, IFGL Pensions and Ardan International launched a new international SIPP targeting British expats who want to transfer their UK pension arrangements offshore. The product sits on Ardan’s platform technology with IFGL providing the pension administration and regulatory oversight.
The new SIPP comes with a £50,000 minimum transfer requirement and a £295 annual wrapper fee, plus tiered platform charges ranging from 0.4% down to 0.1% depending on portfolio size. It’s only available through financial advisers and restricts investments to standard assets, no property, forestry, or other alternative investments.
Both companies operate under the International Financial Group umbrella, which manages £23.2bn across 212,000 customers. The platform offers multi-currency functionality, consolidated reporting, and model portfolio options designed for expats managing pensions across different jurisdictions.
Fee Structure Analysis
The £295 annual charge sits in the middle range for international SIPPs. When combined with the tiered platform fee starting at 0.4%, a £100,000 transfer would face total annual charges of around £695 in the first year, assuming the highest platform tier applies.
For larger transfers, the economics improve. A £500,000 pension moving to the lower platform tiers could see annual charges drop closer to £795 total, making the percentage cost more competitive. The key question for any expat considering this route is whether the combined fees justify the benefits over keeping the pension in the UK.
The restriction to standard investments may disappoint some expats who were hoping to access property funds or alternative assets through their SIPP. However, this limitation often reflects regulatory prudence and keeps administration simpler.
When International SIPP Transfers Make Sense
The decision to transfer a UK pension offshore shouldn’t be driven by product launches alone. For British expats in Spain, the calculation often comes down to currency exposure, investment flexibility, and long-term residency plans.
An international SIPP makes most sense when you’re permanently settled abroad, want to consolidate multiple UK pensions, and need currency flexibility for retirement income. The ability to hold investments in euros, dollars, or other currencies can reduce exchange rate risk if you’re spending in those currencies during retirement.
However, transferring out of a UK pension means losing certain protections. You’ll no longer have access to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, and any guaranteed annuity rates or protected pension ages typically disappear. The transfer is usually irreversible, so the decision requires careful analysis of what you’re giving up versus what you’re gaining.
The Broader SIPP Landscape for Expats
This launch reflects growing demand from British expats for pension consolidation and offshore management. The £50,000 minimum suggests IFGL and Ardan are targeting serious pension savers rather than smaller pots that might be better served by other solutions.
The adviser-only distribution model also indicates this isn’t a DIY product. Given the complexity of cross-border pension rules and the irreversible nature of most transfers, professional advice becomes essential. The platform’s model portfolio functionality suggests it’s designed for advisers managing multiple expat clients with similar needs.
For British expats in Spain specifically, pension transfer decisions often interact with local tax planning. Spanish tax residents face different rules on pension income, and the timing of transfers can affect tax liabilities on both sides. Managing your investment portfolio as you relocate requires coordinating pension strategy with broader wealth planning.
Beyond Pensions: Complete Financial Planning for Spanish Expats
While pension transfers grab attention, they’re just one piece of financial planning for British expats. For non-pension savings, British expats in Spain often benefit more from Spanish compliant investment bonds than from trying to manage UK-based ISAs and investment accounts from abroad.
Prudential International offers Spanish compliant bonds that provide tax-deferred growth, simplified Spanish reporting, and multi-currency flexibility. After eight years, withdrawals benefit from favourable tax treatment, and the bonds can be structured for succession planning. Unlike pension transfers, these bonds don’t require giving up existing benefits, they’re additional tax-efficient wrappers for your Spanish tax planning.
How We Can Help
International Wealth Ventures can assess whether transferring your UK pension to an international SIPP makes sense for your situation, evaluating costs, benefits, and tax implications. We also specialise in Prudential International Spanish compliant bonds for your non-pension savings, offering tax deferral and multi-currency flexibility. Get a free pension review to understand your options.
