For nearly a decade, these funds have been completely stuck. When the UK suddenly changed their pension transfer rules in 2015, thousands of UK pensions already in KiwiSaver accounts got locked in. There was no way to move them and no early access options - just wait until 65.
But since April, there's finally a way out. You can now move these "locked-in" funds to a QROPS (Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme), which lets you access your money from age 55.
Why does it matter?
In a nutshell, you’ll have the option to access your funds up to a decade early.
Parliament recognised that people got caught in bureaucratic crossfire through no fault of their own - the UK gave just 11 days' notice about the original rule change, and many transfers were already in progress. So in April 2025, the door was unlocked.
How do I make the change?
Step 1: Get in touch with i-Select. We’ll gather your details and issue a written confirmation that we are willing to accept your funds.
Step 2: We will help you contact your KiwiSaver provider and instruct them to move your UK pension fund to i-Select’s QROPS.
Step 3: Sit back. i-Select will work directly with your KiwiSaver provider to ensure that the money is successfully transferred.
That’s it. From that point on, we manage compliance and report back to the UK, and you’re able to access your pension from 55 rather than 65.
If you’re one of the few people with a UK pension still stuck in a KiwiSaver, contact us here.
