Average pension transfer times have remained at 10 days, maintaining their quickest level in almost two years, the latest Origo Transfer Index (OTI) has revealed.

Simple transfers were completed in an average of 10 days during the 12 months from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026, unchanged from the previous period.

Transfer times initially returned to the 10-day mark earlier this year, covering the period from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, having previously last reached this level in September 2024.

The average transfer time across all cases, including more complex transactions where providers may need additional information from third parties, also remained unchanged at 11 days.

Origo chief executive officer, Anthony Rafferty, said the latest results demonstrated that the improvement recorded at the beginning of the year had been sustained.

“This year got off to a great start with pension transfers, and it’s encouraging to see those numbers remain steady as we close the first half of 2026," he continued.

“Transfer times are an important industry bellwether and constitute a valuable metric for consumer experience across financial services.”

Rafferty added that the continued performance was particularly encouraging given the volume of regulatory change facing the pensions sector during the second half of 2026 and into 2027.

This includes the planned application of inheritance tax (IHT) to unused pension assets and death benefits, which Origo said could affect consumer behaviour and transfer activity.

“Seeing such solid and steady performance is encouraging, especially given that numerous major regulatory changes, such as IHT for pensions, are on the horizon over the next half of the year and into 2027,” Rafferty said.

“These could have significant implications for consumer behaviour and, by extension, transfers, so it’s incredibly encouraging to see the notable recent improvements consolidated across the board.”

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