{
  "title": "UK Pension Drawdown Cost Index",
  "edition": "September 2026",
  "date": "2026-09-23",
  "source": "https://comparedrawdown.co.uk/drawdown-cost-index",
  "licence": {
    "name": "Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"
  },
  "citation": "Compare Drawdown, UK Pension Drawdown Cost Index, September 2026. https://comparedrawdown.co.uk/drawdown-cost-index",
  "methodology": "Yearly platform, product and drawdown administration charges for a drawdown pot of £50,000, £100,000, £250,000, £500,000 and £1,000,000, from each provider’s published charges. The £100,000, £250,000 and £500,000 figures are the signed-off comparison figures; £50,000 and £1,000,000 are calculated from the same published tiers. Fund charges (OCF), dealing and withdrawal fees are excluded, except where cost_basis is \"platform+funds\" (the quoted fee includes fund charges). cost_basis \"platform+management\" means the quoted fee includes investment management, with fund charges extra. Rows with like_for_like false quote a charge that covers more than the platform (fund charges or investment management) and are flagged in the note column; the headline range uses like-for-like rows only. Platform charges assume you hold funds. Some platforms cap charges on shares, ETFs and investment trusts, which can be much lower. fees_checked_at is the older of the platform-fee and drawdown-charge check dates. See https://comparedrawdown.co.uk/how-we-compare",
  "summary": {
    "headline": "On a £250,000 pot, platform charges range from £0 (InvestEngine, ETF-only) to £1,125 (Standard Life), before fund charges.",
    "bundled": "Plans that bundle fund or management costs into one fee charge £1,225 to £1,350.",
    "twenty_years": "If the pot stayed at £250,000, 20 years of that £1,125 yearly gap would be £22,500, before any lost investment growth.",
    "medians": "The median platform charge is £175 on a £50,000 pot, £270 on £100,000, £431 on £250,000 and £431 on £500,000 (plans that bundle fund or management costs left out).",
    "flat_vs_percentage": "Percentage fees suit smaller pots and flat fees larger ones: on a £50,000 pot the median percentage-based charge is £175 against a median flat fee of £201, but on a £100,000 pot it is £350 against £201 (11 percentage-fee and 6 flat-fee platforms)."
  },
  "providers": [
    {
      "rank": 1,
      "slug": "investengine",
      "name": "InvestEngine",
      "pot50k": 0,
      "pot100k": 0,
      "pot250k": 0,
      "pot500k": 0,
      "pot1m": 0,
      "cost_basis": "platform",
      "like_for_like": true,
      "fee_type": "flat",
      "fees_checked_at": "2026-09-03",
      "fee_source_url": "https://investengine.com/costs/",
      "note": "Platform charge only; fund charges extra; holds ETFs only"
    },
    {
      "rank": 2,
      "slug": "cmc-invest",
      "name": "CMC Invest",
      "pot50k": 131.88,
      "pot100k": 131.88,
      "pot250k": 131.88,
      "pot500k": 131.88,
      "pot1m": 131.88,
      "cost_basis": "platform",
      "like_for_like": true,
      "fee_type": "flat",
      "fees_checked_at": "2026-09-03",
      "fee_source_url": "https://www.cmcinvest.com/en-gb/self-invested-personal-pension",
      "note": "Platform charge only; fund charges extra"
    },
    {
      "rank": 3,
      "slug": "moneybox",
      "name": "Moneybox",
      "pot50k": 75,
      "pot100k": 150,
      "pot250k": 150,
      "pot500k": 150,
      "pot1m": 150,
      "cost_basis": "platform",
      "like_for_like": true,
      "fee_type": "percentage",
      "fees_checked_at": "2026-09-23",
      "fee_source_url": "https://support.moneyboxapp.com/pension",
      "note": "Platform charge only; fund charges extra; holds funds only"
    },
    {
      "rank": 4,
      "slug": "interactive-investor",
      "name": "Interactive Investor",
      "pot50k": 71.88,
      "pot100k": 71.88,
      "pot250k": 179.88,
      "pot500k": 179.88,
      "pot1m": 179.88,
      "cost_basis": "platform",
      "like_for_like": true,
      "fee_type": "flat",
      "fees_checked_at": "2026-09-23",
      "fee_source_url": "https://www.ii.co.uk/ii-accounts/sipp/sipp-charges",
      "note": "Platform charge only; fund charges extra"
    },
    {
      "rank": 5,
      "slug": "scottish-widows",
      "name": "Scottish Widows",
      "pot50k": 125,
      "pot100k": 198,
      "pot250k": 198,
      "pot500k": 198,
      "pot1m": 198,
      "cost_basis": "platform",
      "like_for_like": true,
      "fee_type": "percentage",
      "fees_checked_at": "2026-06-24",
      "fee_source_url": "https://www.scottishwidows.co.uk/investing/ways-to-invest/share-dealing-services/charges.html",
      "note": "Platform charge only; fund charges extra"
    },
    {
      "rank": 6,
      "slug": "barclays",
      "name": "Barclays Direct Investing (formerly Smart Investor)",
      "pot50k": 270,
      "pot100k": 270,
      "pot250k": 270,
      "pot500k": 270,
      "pot1m": 270,
      "cost_basis": "platform",
      "like_for_like": true,
      "fee_type": "flat",
      "fees_checked_at": "2026-09-03",
      "fee_source_url": "https://www.barclays.co.uk/smart-investor/investments/investment-costs/",
      "note": "Platform charge only; fund charges extra"
    },
    {
      "rank": 7,
      "slug": "vanguard",
      "name": "Vanguard",
      "pot50k": 75,
      "pot100k": 150,
      "pot250k": 375,
      "pot500k": 375,
      "pot1m": 375,
      "cost_basis": "platform",
      "like_for_like": true,
      "fee_type": "percentage",
      "fees_checked_at": "2026-09-23",
      "fee_source_url": "https://www.vanguardinvestor.co.uk/what-we-offer/fees-explained",
      "note": "Platform charge only; fund charges extra"
    },
    {
      "rank": 8,
      "slug": "ig",
      "name": "IG",
      "pot50k": 390,
      "pot100k": 390,
      "pot250k": 390,
      "pot500k": 390,
      "pot1m": 390,
      "cost_basis": "platform",
      "like_for_like": true,
      "fee_type": "flat",
      "fees_checked_at": "2026-09-23",
      "fee_source_url": "https://www.ig.com/uk/investments/sipp",
      "note": "Platform charge only; fund charges extra"
    },
    {
      "rank": 9,
      "slug": "eqi",
      "name": "EQi",
      "pot50k": 430.68,
      "pot100k": 430.68,
      "pot250k": 430.68,
      "pot500k": 430.68,
      "pot1m": 430.68,
      "cost_basis": "platform",
      "like_for_like": true,
      "fee_type": "flat",
      "fees_checked_at": "2026-09-23",
      "fee_source_url": "https://eqi.co.uk/info/sipp/pricing",
      "note": "Platform charge only; fund charges extra"
    },
    {
      "rank": 10,
      "slug": "fidelity",
      "name": "Fidelity Personal Investing",
      "pot50k": 175,
      "pot100k": 350,
      "pot250k": 500,
      "pot500k": 1000,
      "pot1m": 2000,
      "cost_basis": "platform",
      "like_for_like": true,
      "fee_type": "percentage",
      "fees_checked_at": "2026-09-23",
      "fee_source_url": "https://www.fidelity.co.uk/services/charges-fees/",
      "note": "Platform charge only; fund charges extra"
    },
    {
      "rank": 11,
      "slug": "aj-bell",
      "name": "AJ Bell Youinvest",
      "pot50k": 125,
      "pot100k": 250,
      "pot250k": 625,
      "pot500k": 875,
      "pot1m": 875,
      "cost_basis": "platform",
      "like_for_like": true,
      "fee_type": "percentage",
      "fees_checked_at": "2026-09-23",
      "fee_source_url": "https://www.ajbell.co.uk/pensions/sipp/charges",
      "note": "Platform charge only; fund charges extra"
    },
    {
      "rank": 12,
      "slug": "legal-and-general",
      "name": "Legal & General",
      "pot50k": 125,
      "pot100k": 250,
      "pot250k": 625,
      "pot500k": 1250,
      "pot1m": 2500,
      "cost_basis": "platform",
      "like_for_like": true,
      "fee_type": "percentage",
      "fees_checked_at": "2026-09-23",
      "fee_source_url": "https://www.legalandgeneral.com/retirement/pension-drawdown/",
      "note": "Platform charge only; fund charges extra; holds funds only"
    },
    {
      "rank": 13,
      "slug": "charles-stanley-direct",
      "name": "Charles Stanley Direct",
      "pot50k": 210,
      "pot100k": 360,
      "pot250k": 660,
      "pot500k": 660,
      "pot1m": 660,
      "cost_basis": "platform",
      "like_for_like": true,
      "fee_type": "percentage",
      "fees_checked_at": "2026-09-23",
      "fee_source_url": "https://cdn.charles-stanley-direct.co.uk/sites/default/files/img/documents/sipp_drawdown_charges_explained_0.pdf",
      "note": "Platform charge only; fund charges extra"
    },
    {
      "rank": 14,
      "slug": "aviva",
      "name": "Aviva",
      "pot50k": 175,
      "pot100k": 350,
      "pot250k": 875,
      "pot500k": 1750,
      "pot1m": 1750,
      "cost_basis": "platform",
      "like_for_like": true,
      "fee_type": "percentage",
      "fees_checked_at": "2026-09-23",
      "fee_source_url": "https://www.aviva.co.uk/retirement/aviva-pension/",
      "note": "Platform charge only; fund charges extra; holds funds only"
    },
    {
      "rank": 15,
      "slug": "hargreaves-lansdown",
      "name": "Hargreaves Lansdown",
      "pot50k": 175,
      "pot100k": 350,
      "pot250k": 875,
      "pot500k": 1500,
      "pot1m": 2750,
      "cost_basis": "platform",
      "like_for_like": true,
      "fee_type": "percentage",
      "fees_checked_at": "2026-09-23",
      "fee_source_url": "https://www.hl.co.uk/pensions/sipp/charges-and-interest-rates",
      "note": "Platform charge only; fund charges extra"
    },
    {
      "rank": 16,
      "slug": "bestinvest",
      "name": "Bestinvest",
      "pot50k": 200,
      "pot100k": 400,
      "pot250k": 1000,
      "pot500k": 1500,
      "pot1m": 2000,
      "cost_basis": "platform",
      "like_for_like": true,
      "fee_type": "percentage",
      "fees_checked_at": "2026-09-23",
      "fee_source_url": "https://www.bestinvest.co.uk/sipps/low-cost-sipp-charges",
      "note": "Platform charge only; fund charges extra"
    },
    {
      "rank": 17,
      "slug": "standard-life",
      "name": "Standard Life",
      "pot50k": 225,
      "pot100k": 450,
      "pot250k": 1125,
      "pot500k": 2250,
      "pot1m": 4500,
      "cost_basis": "platform",
      "like_for_like": true,
      "fee_type": "percentage",
      "fees_checked_at": "2026-09-23",
      "fee_source_url": "https://www.standardlife.co.uk/pensions/personal-pension/charges",
      "note": "Platform charge only; fund charges extra"
    },
    {
      "rank": 18,
      "slug": "pensionbee",
      "name": "PensionBee",
      "pot50k": 350,
      "pot100k": 700,
      "pot250k": 1225,
      "pot500k": 2100,
      "pot1m": 3850,
      "cost_basis": "platform+funds",
      "like_for_like": false,
      "fee_type": "percentage",
      "fees_checked_at": "2026-09-23",
      "fee_source_url": "https://www.pensionbee.com/uk/fees",
      "note": "Includes fund charges; holds funds only"
    },
    {
      "rank": 19,
      "slug": "nutmeg",
      "name": "J.P. Morgan Personal Investing (formerly Nutmeg)",
      "pot50k": 375,
      "pot100k": 750,
      "pot250k": 1275,
      "pot500k": 2150,
      "pot1m": 3900,
      "cost_basis": "platform+management",
      "like_for_like": false,
      "fee_type": "percentage",
      "fees_checked_at": "2026-09-23",
      "fee_source_url": "https://www.personalinvesting.jpmorgan.com/about/our-fee",
      "note": "Includes investment management; fund charges extra; holds ETFs only"
    },
    {
      "rank": 20,
      "slug": "penfold",
      "name": "Penfold",
      "pot50k": 375,
      "pot100k": 750,
      "pot250k": 1350,
      "pot500k": 2350,
      "pot1m": 4350,
      "cost_basis": "platform+funds",
      "like_for_like": false,
      "fee_type": "percentage",
      "fees_checked_at": "2026-09-23",
      "fee_source_url": "https://getpenfold.com/charges-guide",
      "note": "Includes fund charges; holds funds only"
    }
  ]
}