How to transfer a Vanguard pension to InvestEngine
What fees does Vanguard charge?
For Vanguard’s self-managed ISA / Personal Pension (SIPP) / General Account, the account fee depends on your total invested balance across your Vanguard accounts:
- Under £32,000 invested: £4 per month (£48 per year)
- £32,000 or more: 0.15% per year, capped at £375
You also pay the underlying fund costs for the funds you hold.
Fees comparisons are based on publicly available information from Vanguard’s website as at 25/03/2026 and are for illustration only. They may not capture all charges or reflect individual circumstances. Please refer to the provider’s website for up-to-date fees and product details.
Is it worth moving from Vanguard to InvestEngine?
It can be, depending on:
- whether you are under £32,000 and paying the £4/month minimum
- whether you want £0 platform fee on DIY investing
- whether you want to hold ETFs from multiple providers (Vanguard’s platform range is focused on Vanguard funds)
InvestEngine’s DIY pricing is:
- £0 platform fee
- £0 dealing fees
Fees comparisons are based on publicly available information from Vanguard’s website as at 25/03/2026 and are for illustration only. They may not capture all charges or reflect individual circumstances. Please refer to the provider’s website for up-to-date fees and product details.
What fees do I pay on InvestEngine?
If you choose your own ETFs (DIY) with InvestEngine:
- £0 platform fee
- £0 dealing fees
Other costs can still apply, including:
- the ETF’s ongoing charge (set by the ETF provider)
- the market spread (bid/offer)
- other standard investing costs that apply in certain circumstances
Can I transfer my Vanguard ISA or SIPP to InvestEngine?
Yes. Vanguard ISA and SIPP transfers are supported.
Vanguard does not typically charge exit fees for transfers, and InvestEngine does not charge to receive a transfer.
Fees comparisons are based on publicly available information from Vanguard’s website as at 25/03/2026 and are for illustration only. They may not capture all charges or reflect individual circumstances. Please refer to the provider’s website for up-to-date fees and product details.
Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you invest. This information is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Before transferring, please consider whether moving your ISA or pension to InvestEngine is right for you, including any fees, exit costs, and whether your existing investments would need to be sold and reinvested into ETFs.
Can I transfer Vanguard holdings in-specie (without selling)?
It depends what you hold on Vanguard:
- Vanguard ETFs: these can generally transfer in-specie
- Vanguard mutual funds (unit trusts/OEICs), including LifeStrategy and Target Retirement: these cannot be held on InvestEngine (ETF-only), so they typically need to be sold and transferred as cash, then reinvested into ETFs
An in-specie transfer means your ETFs stay invested throughout the process, helping you avoid being out of the market or needing to buy back in later.
Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you invest. This information is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Before transferring, please consider whether moving your ISA or pension to InvestEngine is right for you, including any fees, exit costs, and whether your existing investments would need to be sold and reinvested into ETFs.
Will I be out of the market during the transfer?
If you transfer ETFs in-specie, the aim is to move your investments across without selling.
If you hold Vanguard mutual funds that need to be sold first, you may be out of the market between sale and reinvestment.
Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you invest.
How long does a Vanguard transfer usually take?
Transfer timelines vary by holding type and provider processing. A reasonable expectation to set is a few weeks.
What do I need before I start a transfer from Vanguard?
Typically:
- your Vanguard account type (ISA / SIPP)
- your Vanguard holdings list (so you know whether you hold ETFs, mutual funds, or both)
- your InvestEngine ISA/SIPP set up so you can submit the transfer request
What’s the main limitation when switching from Vanguard to InvestEngine?
Vanguard mutual funds are not available on InvestEngine, so they cannot be transferred like-for-like. If you want to move those assets, it usually becomes a cash transfer plus reinvestment into ETFs.
Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you invest.
What happens to Vanguard LifeStrategy and Target Retirement funds if I switch?
They are Vanguard mutual funds (not ETFs), so they cannot be held on InvestEngine. A typical approach is:
- transfer as cash (if needed), then
- reinvest into an ETF-based portfolio, or
- use a managed option if you prefer a hands-off setup
Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you invest. This information is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
Are Vanguard fund fees different on InvestEngine?
The underlying ongoing charge is set by the fund/ETF provider, so that component does not change just because the ETF is held on a different platform. Any difference usually comes from platform-level fees (for example Vanguard’s £4/month minimum under £32,000 versus InvestEngine’s £0 platform fee for DIY).
Fees comparisons are based on publicly available information from Vanguard’s website as at 25/03/2026 and are for illustration only. They may not capture all charges or reflect individual circumstances. Please refer to the provider’s website for up-to-date fees and product details.