I worked a short contract last year, which gave me very generous pension entitlement, so I have a few thousand in the employer pension scheme. Of course, they want shot of it, as it is a fairly nominal amount, so I want to put it into a SIPP.

Unfortunately, it was a contracted out scheme, so it has £26.76 of protected rights in it. These cannot (prior to October) go into a SIPP.

Hargreaves Lansdowne want £500 + VAT from me to give me advice as to what to do with the £26.76...

What can I do?


Oh yes, and bless them, I have just discovered Equitable Life contracted me back in in 2005 as "they thought it was the best thing for me" - must have ignored their letter. I cannot send the £26.76 to EL as it would constitute "new business"