Accessing your pension before the age of 55 — often called pension unlocking — might seem like a helpful way to get cash when you need it most. But in most cases, it’s not straightforward and can come with serious risks.
Unlocking your pension early is only legal in very specific situations, such as:
You’re seriously ill or have a terminal diagnosis
Your pension scheme has a protected retirement age (from before April 2006)
If you’re under 55 and someone offers to help you unlock your pension, there’s a high chance it could be a scam. You could face a 55% tax charge and lose a big chunk of your pension — permanently.
Whether you qualify for legal early access
What risks or penalties might apply to your situation
What safer alternatives might be available if you’re facing financial pressure
They’ll always explain your options clearly, so you can make the best decision without pressure or confusion.
All our pension partners are vetted and reviewed by Polly’s team to ensure they hold up to our standards.
All our pension providers have hundreds of 5 star reviews.
When you contact Polly we will do an in depth review of our database to find the perfect partner for you.
All of our pension partners are vetted to ensure they are properly certified and licensed.
Fill out the form or take our assessment and Polly will automatically search her database of certified pension partners to find the perfect option for your situation.
We all want a little more freedom to enjoy life’s meaningful moments — whether it’s supporting family, easing financial pressure, or simply getting back on track. Polly helps you explore safe, legal ways to unlock your pension, so you can make the most of what you’ve worked so hard to build.
If you’re facing financial pressure, planning for retirement, or just curious about your options, it’s a good time to look into pension unlocking. While early access is only available in specific circumstances (like serious illness or certain protected pensions), understanding your rights and options early can help you avoid mistakes — and make smarter financial choices for the future.
Yes — age is one of the key factors in pension unlocking. In most cases, you can’t access your pension before age 55 unless you meet specific criteria (like severe illness or having a protected early retirement age). If you’re under 55, unlocking your pension early is usually not allowed and could result in heavy tax penalties. That’s why it’s important to check your eligibility and explore all options before making a decision.
This is to state that this is not a financial product. This page doesn’t relate to anyone getting a pension. This is NOT a pension product, a requirement to get financing, or related to getting financing. This page is in no way endorsed by Facebook. There is no guarantee of finding lost or missing pensions or financial compensation by acting on the information herein.
Results are not guaranteed and will be looked at on a case by case basis. We work carefully to select pension relief firms. Once you are qualified and accept our terms, we will introduce you to them to look after the management and administration of your recommendations. Some video reviews on pensionpolly.com are read by actors but are actual client reviews from our recommended partners trustpilot. Our online service is 100% free to use, and you are under no obligation to accept any of the quotes or product offers. Pension relief options are subject to conditions and acceptance. Pension Polly does not administer pension services but connects you with pension advisers and firms.
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