Can I claim if I was advised to transfer out of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme?

Yes. The Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) — whether the AFPS 1975, AFPS 2005, AFPS 2015, or the Reserve Forces arrangements — provides defined benefit income. Advice to transfer out into a SIPP or personal pension is almost always unsuitable. If you transferred and suffered a loss, you may have a significant compensation claim.

Which Armed Forces Pension Schemes are covered?

The main schemes include AFPS 1975 (closed, very generous final salary benefits), AFPS 2005 (career average, includes Early Departure Payment), and AFPS 2015 (career average, current scheme). Reserve Forces pension arrangements also exist. All provide guaranteed defined benefit income.

What is the Early Departure Payment (EDP) and why does it matter?

The Early Departure Payment is a preserved pension benefit available to service personnel who leave after a qualifying period but before pension age — providing a preserved pension that comes into payment earlier than a standard occupational pension. Advisers who recommended transfers from AFPS 2005 without properly accounting for EDP benefits gave advice that was almost certainly unsuitable.

What benefits does the Armed Forces Pension Scheme provide?

AFPS benefits include: a guaranteed pension based on service and pensionable pay; annual CPI increases; an immediate pension on medical discharge; a death-in-service attributable benefit; a spouse's or partner's pension; and, under AFPS 2005, an Early Departure Payment. These are unique to military service and cannot be replicated commercially.

Is there a time limit for an Armed Forces pension transfer claim?

Yes. Time limits apply depending on the route. The clock may run from when you knew or should have known the advice was unsuitable. Do not assume you are out of time without taking legal advice — we can advise on the specific limitation position in your case.

What if the advisory firm has since closed?

If the firm has since failed and was FCA-authorised, FSCS claims may be available up to £85,000. Many firms involved in DB pension transfer mis-selling have since closed. We can check the firm's current status as part of assessing your case.

Can veterans or former service personnel claim?

Yes. Claims are open to all former service personnel who were advised to transfer their AFPS pension — whether they left the armed forces recently or years ago. The date of knowledge principle means the time limit may not have started running until the loss became apparent.

Armed Forces Pension Transfer Claims — Were You Advised to Transfer Your Military Pension?

Nadeem PervazSolicitor, Edward & Amaury Solicitors SRA RegulatedFirm SRA No. 800525

Nadeem Pervazis a solicitor at Edward & Amaury Solicitors, a law firm authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Content is reviewed for legal accuracy and compliance with FCA guidance and SRA conduct standards.

Published: September 2026About the firm

TL;DR — Quick Summary

▸All AFPS schemes (1975, 2005, 2015) are defined benefit — advice to transfer out is almost always unsuitable.
▸Unique AFPS benefits — including EDP, medical discharge pension, and attributable death benefits — cannot be replicated commercially.
▸If a transferred AFPS 2005 included an Early Departure Payment, the loss of that benefit is a key part of any compensation claim.
▸If the adviser has failed, FSCS claims up to £85,000 may be available.
▸Time limits apply — do not delay seeking advice.

The Armed Forces Pension Scheme provides service personnel with guaranteed, government-backed retirement income and unique benefits that reflect the nature of military service. Advice to transfer out of an AFPS into a SIPP or personal pension was almost always unsuitable. If you were targeted by an adviser offering a free pension review and subsequently transferred, you may have a significant claim.

Quick Answer

Advice to transfer out of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme was almost always unsuitable. If you transferred and suffered a loss, you may have a significant compensation claim. Contact us for a free review — time limits apply.

EDP Benefits Were Often Overlooked

Many advisers who recommended transfers from AFPS 2005 failed to properly value or account for the Early Departure Payment benefit — an ongoing payment available to personnel leaving after a qualifying period. Ignoring or understating EDP was itself a failure of suitability assessment.

What the Armed Forces Pension Scheme Provides

Guaranteed pension income

Based on service and pensionable pay — payable for life.

Early Departure Payment (AFPS 2005)

An ongoing payment for personnel leaving after qualifying service, before normal pension age.

Immediate pension on medical discharge

Enhanced benefits for personnel medically discharged — including attributable benefits if discharge is service-related.

Spouse's/partner's pension

A continuing pension for your surviving spouse or partner.

Death-in-service attributable benefits

Enhanced benefits for dependants if death is attributable to service.

Government-backed

No investment risk — your income is not dependent on market performance.

Other Public Sector Pension Transfer Claims

We also handle claims for transfers from the Police, NHS, Teachers, Civil Service, and Local Government pension schemes.

Armed Forces Pension Transfer Claims — Were You Advised to Transfer Your Military Pension?

What the Armed Forces Pension Scheme Provides

Other Public Sector Pension Transfer Claims

Frequently Asked Questions

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