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Pension Return-to-Nigeria Estimator
Estimates your State Pension and pension pot options if you return to Nigeria, including the frozen-pension rule and transfer restrictions.
Your State Pension
Estimated weekly amount
Estimated yearly amount
This amount will freeze the day you become resident in Nigeria. Nigeria has no reciprocal social security agreement with the UK, so your State Pension is paid but never rises with inflation again — no annual increases, ever, for as long as you live there. It's the same rate for the rest of your life. This can mean tens of thousands of pounds less over a long retirement compared to staying in the UK or a country with an uprating agreement.
Your pension pot
Tax-free lump sum (up to 25%, capped at £268,275)
Remaining, taxable as income when drawn
Moving your pension pot to a Nigerian scheme is currently blocked or heavily taxed. HMRC only lets you transfer a UK pension abroad without a large tax charge if the receiving scheme is on its official Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes (ROPS) list — as of our last check, no Nigerian scheme was on that list. Transferring to a scheme that isn't recognised can trigger a 25% overseas transfer charge, or an unauthorised payment charge of up to 55% in the worst case. Most people who return to Nigeria simply leave their UK pension pot invested in the UK and draw from it (or transfer money to themselves after drawing) rather than transferring the pot itself. Always check the live HMRC ROPS list and get regulated financial advice before making any transfer or withdrawal decision — this tool gives general information only, not personal advice.
Figures used: full new State Pension £241.30/week (2026/27), Lump Sum Allowance £268,275 (2026/27). Last verified: 22 August 2026.