Find drawdown platforms that fit how you invest

How the finder works

Four quick questions — your pot size, how you want to invest, how you expect to take money out and what matters most after cost. The finder filters all 20 flexi-access drawdown platforms we cover on the facts we hold and shows the three closest matches, with their estimated yearly cost. Platforms with a charge that is not published are listed after fully priced ones, and platforms whose minimum pot is above yours are left out. Your answers are kept in the page address, so you can bookmark or share the results. There is no email gate, and providers cannot pay to be listed.

What it asks about

• Pot size. Percentage fees usually suit smaller pots; flat fees often cost less on larger ones.
• Investment style. Individual shares and ETFs, low-cost funds only, or a ready-made portfolio.
• Withdrawals. A regular monthly income, occasional lump sums, UFPLS payments, or taking it all in one or two lump sums — some platforms charge for ad-hoc or UFPLS withdrawals.
• Priority after cost. The lowest yearly cost, well-rated customer service (dated Trustpilot scores only) or the widest choice of investments.

Why the answers change the matches

Pot size. Percentage charges grow with the pot, while flat fees stay the same, so a flat fee that looks expensive on a small pot can cost less on a large one.

Investment style. Some platforms hold funds only, some hold ETFs only, and some offer ready-made portfolios; the finder only considers platforms that can hold what you choose.

Taking money out. Most platforms pay regular drawdown income without an extra charge, but some charge per ad-hoc withdrawal or per UFPLS payment, and a few do not publish that charge.

Before you compare: taking a small pot or one lump sum

• Small pots rule. A pension worth £10,000 or less can be paid out as a “small lump sum”. From personal pensions and SIPPs (pensions that are not occupational schemes) this can be done up to three times; occupational schemes have separate rules. Usually 25% is tax-free and 75% is taxed as income, and it does not trigger the money purchase annual allowance. HMRC guidance
• No transfer needed. If your current scheme offers it, the whole pot can be taken as a single lump sum (UFPLS) from where it is now, without moving to a drawdown platform. Unless it qualifies as a small pot, this does trigger the money purchase annual allowance.
• Emergency tax. The first taxable payment is often taxed on an emergency code, so too much tax can be taken. It can be reclaimed from HMRC in the same tax year on form P55 (pot not emptied), P53Z (pot emptied, with other income) or P50Z (pot emptied, stopped work and no other income except the State Pension). Tax on a small pot or trivial lump sum is reclaimed on form P53. Reclaim forms on GOV.UK P53 on GOV.UK

More on the small pots rule, tax on pension lump sums and your options for taking a pension.

Providers covered

The finder considers all 20 UK pension drawdown providers we cover: Vanguard, Interactive Investor, AJ Bell Youinvest, Hargreaves Lansdown, Fidelity Personal Investing, Bestinvest, Charles Stanley Direct, PensionBee, Aviva, Standard Life, Scottish Widows, IG, Legal & General, J.P. Morgan Personal Investing (formerly Nutmeg), InvestEngine, Barclays Direct Investing (formerly Smart Investor), EQi, Moneybox, CMC Invest, Penfold.

After you see your matches

Each match shows the platform's estimated yearly cost for your answers, what it lets you hold and any charge it does not publish. From there you can read the provider overview, compare the matches side by side, see every platform ranked with your answers, or go back and change an answer. The matches are comparison information, not a personal recommendation.