There is a lot of information available on pension loans and other related pension release products on the web so we will attempt to try and make sense of it all for you.

Please feel free to look around our site and use the information as you see fit. Products such as pension backed loans appear to be available from a number of specialist pension providers but it is down to the individual to make their own enquiries as to the legitimacy or otherwise of any such scheme. One thing is certain and that is that more and more UK pension holders are looking at various ways of maximising their pension income and that includes expats who still have a UK pension.

When looking at a pension loan or other similar pension release type products you should always make sure you have the following information to hand:

• The value of your current pension fund or funds
• The name of your current pension provider(s)

These products tend to be offered to people with final salary pensions, personal pensions and frozen or paid up occupational pensions. Sometimes these products are also known as pension linked loans or cash in your pension type products although they are also known under a variety of other names. Releasing cash from a pension can be fraught with problems so it is always a good idea to take advice from an independent pension release specialist to ensure that whatever decisions you make about your pension are the right ones.

It used to be the case that the only way you could release a cash lump sum from your pension was if you were 55 or over as that would enable you to access a 25% pension lump sum. Any schemes that will enable you to access a cash lump sum from your pension fund if you are under the age of 55 need to be scrutinised very closely and as with all things finance related, you should seek  independent, professional advice.