How We Compare Pension Providers

Transparent, data-driven comparisons you can trust. Here is how Compare Drawdown evaluates UK pension drawdown providers to help you make informed decisions. We review and update our provider data monthly.

Our data sources

We gather data from multiple authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and completeness:

• Provider websites — Primary source for fee structures, fund ranges and product features.
• FCA Register — Verification of regulatory status and authorisations.
• Key Investor Documents — Official fee disclosures and fund factsheets.
• Trustpilot & Which? — Independent customer satisfaction ratings.
• Annual reports — Provider financial stability and performance data.
• Financial Ombudsman data — Complaint volumes and resolution outcomes.

Verification process

1. Initial data collection — We extract fee information directly from provider websites and official documentation, including platform fees, fund charges and any additional costs.
2. Cross-reference check — Fee data is verified against Key Investor Documents and annual fee disclosures to ensure consistency and accuracy.
3. Expert review — Our FCA-regulated advisers review the data for accuracy and provide qualitative assessments based on their experience with each provider.
4. Monthly update cycle — All provider data is reviewed and updated monthly to reflect fee changes, new product launches or service modifications.

How we calculate rankings

Our comparison calculator ranks providers by total annual cost for your specific pension pot size. We include:

• Platform fees — The annual charge for using the provider's platform — a percentage (e.g. 0.25%) or a flat fee (e.g. £9.99/month). We apply the caps and tiers each provider specifies.
• Typical fund charges — We add an estimated fund charge based on a typical balanced portfolio — around 0.2% for index funds or 0.5% for actively managed funds.
• Pot size matters — Rankings can change dramatically by pot size: percentage-based fees favour smaller pots, while flat fees become more cost-effective as your pot grows beyond £100,000.

Note: our calculations do not include dealing charges for share trading or one-off transfer fees — these vary significantly with individual trading activity.

Editorial independence

Compare Drawdown is editorially independent. Our rankings are based purely on data and analysis — we do not accept payment to feature or favour any provider.

• No provider pays for placement in our comparison tables.
• Rankings are calculated algorithmically based on fees.
• All providers are treated equally in our methodology.
• Negative findings are published without provider influence.

Update frequency

• Fee data — Updated monthly and whenever providers announce changes.
• Customer ratings — Trustpilot and Which? scores refreshed weekly.
• Provider reviews — In-depth reviews updated quarterly.

Our expert team

Compare Drawdown is a trading style of Arthur Browns Wealth Management, established in 1931 and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA No. 825843). Our team includes qualified financial advisers with decades of experience in pensions and retirement planning.

• Matthew Renier — Financial Adviser & Director — 20+ years experience, Certified AwPETR.
• Phillip Handley — Financial Adviser — 21+ years experience, AwPETR Level 6.
• Kier Elliot — Insurance Broker — 10 years experience, Cert CII.

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