If you have a UK pension and you live in India, or are planning to move to India, your pension is one of the most important financial decisions you will face. The rules are complex, the tax implications span two countries, and the wrong decision can be costly and difficult to reverse.
Atwal Financial has specialised in UK pension advice for NRIs in India since 2008. We help you understand your options, navigate the UK-India tax framework, and make decisions that work for your retirement as part of your wider UK-India financial planning across both countries.
Our advice is tailored to your individual circumstances, your residency status, and your long-term financial goals.
Specialist UK-India pension advice since 2008
Working with FCA-regulated partners for your protection
End-to-end support from consultation to completion
Your UK pension does not disappear when you move to India. You can leave it in the UK and draw it from India, or transfer it to an approved scheme in India through a QROPS — a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme approved by HMRC. The right approach depends on your age, the size and type of your pension, your tax residency status and your long-term plans.
The minimum age to access your UK pension is currently 55, rising to 57 in 2028. This applies whether you live in the UK or India. Under the UK-India Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, you may be able to significantly reduce the tax you pay on pension income in both countries — but only if your affairs are structured correctly.
Making the right decision requires specialist advice and careful consideration of your personal circumstances.
Ranjit Atwal, our founding director, is UK-trained with a financial services career dating back to 1991 and 18+ years of specialist UK-India pension planning since 2008, and has been based in New Delhi since 2013. He is regulated in India under IRDAI, AMFI and PFRDA and holds qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Bankers and the Chartered Insurance Institute. His background means he understands both sides of the UK-India pension relationship in a way that no purely UK or purely India adviser can match. Contact us for an initial consultation.
Atwal Financial specialises in advising returning NRIs and UK pension holders living in India. We provide:
We understand the specific issues faced by individuals who have returned to India after working in the UK.
We advise:
"360° UK-India Financial Review — I found Ranjit to be highly specialised and dependable, particularly in navigating complex UK-India cross-border financial matters. He consistently demonstrated professionalism, transparency, and integrity in his advice, ensuring clarity in decision-making. His responsiveness and client-centric approach stood out, as he addressed queries promptly and effectively. Overall, his personalised and structured guidance significantly enhanced my confidence in managing financial decisions and I highly recommend using Atwal Financial."
Sita
UK → India
21 June 2026
Many NRIs leave UK pensions untouched for years, missing opportunities for consolidation and better returns.
Your tax obligations change when you become an Indian tax resident. UK pension rules may no longer apply in the same way.
Not all QROPS are equal. Transferring to an unsuitable scheme can result in higher fees and poor investment choices.
GBP/INR fluctuations can significantly impact the value of your pension income if not properly managed.
We review all your UK pensions—workplace, personal, and state—to build a complete picture.
We discuss your tax residency status, retirement plans, and income needs in India.
We explain each option—QROPS, SIPP, drawdown, or leaving pensions in the UK—with clear advantages and considerations.
We provide a tailored recommendation with transparent fees, timeline, and next steps.
Cross-border financial advice for NRIs in the UK with assets in India.
Learn moreIf you have returned to India and would like to understand your UK pension options, including whether a pension transfer or QROPS may be suitable, contact us for a confidential discussion.