QROPS Canada · UK Pension Transfers

Do You Have a UK Employer Pension and Live in Canada? We Can Transfer It.

Strata QROPS transfers eligible UK pensions into Canadian RRSP accounts via the HMRC-approved QROPS framework, with zero fees charged to you. Led by Simon Huften.

Strata Wealth & Risk Management INC

Book Your Free Consultation

A free, no-obligation 20-minute consultation with Simon Huften. No charge, no sales pressure.

“After 12 years in Canada, I finally moved my DB pension from the UK with Simon’s help. The process was straightforward and exactly as he described from the first call.”

– James R., Ontario | Defined Benefit Transfer, 2025

“I was nervous about the CETV process and whether my pension qualified. Simon confirmed eligibility in the first consultation and handled everything. Zero surprises.”

– Margaret H., British Columbia | Defined Contribution Transfer, 2024

A QROPS – Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme – is the HMRC-approved mechanism that allows British expats to move an eligible UK employer pension into an overseas pension plan without triggering UK tax penalties. In Canada, that means transferring your pension directly into a Canadian RRSP. It is not a workaround or a financial product – it is a defined regulatory framework that has existed since 2006, specifically designed for people in exactly your situation.

If you’re a British expat living in Canada with a UK employer pension, you don’t have to leave your retirement savings across the Atlantic. Strata QROPS transfers eligible UK pensions – both Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution – into Canadian RRSP accounts via the HMRC-approved QROPS framework, with zero fees charged to you.

Simon Huften has specialised exclusively in UK-to-Canada pension transfers for over 10 years. Under the paragraph 60(j) rollover provision of the Canadian Income Tax Act, qualifying pension funds arrive in your RRSP tax-free, without consuming RRSP contribution room. For Defined Benefit pensions, the process is governed by CETV and the FCA independent advice requirement for funds over £30,000. For Defined Contribution pensions, transfers typically complete in 6 to 8 weeks. With $250M+ in transferred assets across all Canadian provinces, Strata QROPS handles every step – from the initial HMRC compliance checks through to the Canadian investment provider confirmation.

Why British Expats in Canada Transfer Their UK Pension

CAD Currency Consolidation

Stop watching exchange rates erode your retirement. Your pension moves into Canadian dollars, managed in Canada, in your time zone.

RRSP Tax Shelter

Under paragraph 60(j), your UK pension arrives in your Canadian RRSP as a tax-free rollover. No Canadian income tax on the transfer itself.

No UK IHT Exposure After Transfer

Once your pension leaves the UK system, it exits the UK Inheritance Tax regime entirely. Especially critical with the April 2027 IHT deadline approaching.

Estate Planning Control

Canadian RRSP/RRIF rules give you and your spouse clear, predictable estate distribution – not UK pension trustees making decisions on your behalf.

Want the full picture? Read our complete QROPS Canada guide →

Are You Eligible? Here's What You Need to Qualify

You qualify for a QROPS transfer to Canada if you meet all three conditions:

If your pension value exceeds the Overseas Transfer Allowance (£1,073,100 as of April 2024), the excess may be subject to a 25% HMRC charge – Simon will assess your specific position during the consultation at no cost.

You hold a UK employer pension - Defined Benefit or Defined Contribution. State pensions and most unfunded public sector pensions (NHS, teachers, police, armed forces) cannot transfer via QROPS.
You are aged 55 to 70 and permanently resident in Canada.
You intend to remain in Canada long-term - QROPS transfers are designed for British expats who have made Canada their permanent home, not for those planning to return to the UK.
You are permanently resident in Canada - Simon Huften works with British expats across all Canadian provinces.

No Fees to You - Here's How We're Compensated

Strata QROPS does not charge you a transfer fee, advisory fee, or hidden commission. We are compensated directly by Canadian investment providers – iA Clarington and Industrial Alliance – only after your pension successfully lands in your Canadian RRSP.

This commission structure is standard across all HMRC-approved QROPS providers in Canada and is fully disclosed in your transfer documentation before any commitment is made.

you hold a Defined Benefit pension with a Cash Equivalent Transfer Value over £30,000, UK regulations require independent financial advice from an FCA-regulated UK advisor before transfer. This is the only potential out-of-pocket cost in the process and is paid directly to the UK advisor – not to Strata QROPS. Simon will explain this clearly during your consultation.

April 2027 UK IHT Deadline – From April 2027, UK pension death benefits will be included in your estate for Inheritance Tax purposes – potentially taxed at 40%. A pension worth £300,000 left in the UK system after this date could face a £120,000 IHT charge on death. A QROPS transfer removes your pension from the UK IHT regime entirely, before the deadline. Find out how this affects your pension

Frequently Asked Questions

What is QROPS?

QROPS stands for Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme – an HMRC-approved framework that allows British expats to transfer eligible UK employer pensions into approved overseas schemes, including Canadian RRSPs. It has been in operation since 2006 and is a legitimate, regulated process used by thousands of British expats worldwide to consolidate retirement savings where they actually live. It is not a loophole or a tax avoidance scheme.

Am I eligible for a QROPS transfer to Canada?

You need three things: a UK employer pension (Defined Benefit or Defined Contribution), permanent Canadian residency with the intention of remaining in Canada long-term, and to be aged between 55 and 70. If you meet all three, your transfer is likely viable. Book a free eligibility check to confirm your specific pension type.

How long does a QROPS transfer take?

Most Defined Contribution pension transfers complete in 6 to 8 weeks. Defined Benefit pensions typically take 12 to 16 weeks due to the Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (CETV) request and the FCA independent advice requirement for pensions over £30,000.

Is there a fee to transfer my UK pension to Canada?

No. Strata QROPS charges zero fees to clients. We receive commission from Canadian investment providers – iA Clarington and Industrial Alliance – after your transfer completes. This commission structure is standard across HMRC-approved QROPS providers and is disclosed fully in your transfer documentation. The only potential out-of-pocket cost is the FCA independent advice fee for Defined Benefit pensions over £30,000, paid directly to a UK financial advisor.

What happens to my pension after the transfer?

Your UK pension arrives in a Canadian RRSP via paragraph 60(j) rollover – a tax-free transfer under Canadian tax law. From there, you control your investment options through iA Clarington or Industrial Alliance funds. By age 71, Canadian rules require you to convert your RRSP into a RRIF and begin minimum annual withdrawals.

Which UK pensions cannot be transferred to Canada?

UK State Pensions cannot be transferred via QROPS. Most unfunded public sector pensions – including NHS, teachers, police, civil service, and armed forces schemes – are also ineligible. Eligible pensions are employer-sponsored occupational schemes (both Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution) and private personal pensions. If you are unsure whether your specific scheme qualifies, Simon will confirm eligibility in your first consultation at no cost.

Are you licensed to advise in my province?

Yes. Simon Huften works with British expats across all Canadian provinces. Get in touch and we will confirm how we can help with your specific situation.

Can I transfer my UK pension if I am already drawing income from it?

If you have already started taking income from your UK pension – known as “crystallising” the pension – the transfer options are significantly more restricted. In most cases, a QROPS transfer requires the pension to be uncrystallised. If you have started drawing from your pension, Simon will assess your specific situation and advise on whether a transfer remains viable or whether alternative planning strategies are more appropriate.

What is the Overseas Transfer Allowance and does it affect my transfer?

The Overseas Transfer Allowance (OTA) replaced the UK Lifetime Allowance in April 2024. It sets the threshold – currently £1,073,100 – below which your QROPS transfer is not subject to a UK overseas transfer charge. If your pension exceeds this amount, the excess is taxed by HMRC at 25%. Most Strata QROPS clients transfer below this threshold, but Simon will confirm your position during your free consultation before any transfer is initiated.

Ready to Move Your UK Pension to Canada?

Book your free, no-obligation consultation with Simon Huften. In a 20-minute call, he will confirm your eligibility, outline your transfer timeline, and answer every question you have – with no sales pressure and no obligation.