How to Cancel a NEST Pension

Learn how to cancel your NEST pension, opt out within 1 month, stop contributions, or transfer your pension to another provider.

How to Cancel a NEST Pension

If you’ve been automatically enrolled into a NEST pension and you’re unsure whether you want to stay in the scheme, you may be wondering how to cancel it. Whether you want to opt out shortly after being enrolled, stop contributions, or transfer your savings elsewhere, this guide explains your options step-by-step.

What is a NEST pension?

NEST (National Employment Savings Trust) is a workplace pension scheme set up by the government to support automatic enrolment. If you’re eligible, your employer must enrol you into a pension scheme like NEST, and contributions will be deducted from your salary.

Although you can leave the scheme, there are strict rules about when and how you can cancel your NEST pension, depending on how long you've been a member and what stage you’re at.

Option 1: Opting out within the 1-month window

If you’ve just been enrolled and want to cancel straight away, you can opt out within one month of the start date listed in your welcome letter from NEST.

How to opt out:

  1. Wait for your NEST welcome pack
    This will include your NEST ID, enrolment date, and opt-out instructions.

  2. Choose how to opt out
    You can opt out:

    • Online via the NEST website

    • By phone (you’ll need your NEST ID and National Insurance number)

    • Using a paper opt-out form (available from your employer)

  3. Your contributions will be refunded
    If you opt out within the one-month period, any pension contributions already deducted from your pay will be refunded through payroll.

  4. Your employer will stop contributions
    Once NEST confirms your opt-out, your employer will be notified and will stop making payments.

If you miss the one-month window, you’ll need to follow a different process.

Option 2: Stopping contributions after the opt-out window

If more than one month has passed, you cannot opt out — but you can stop contributing to your NEST pension at any time.

How to stop contributions:

  • Tell your employer in writing that you no longer want to contribute.

  • Your employer will then update their payroll system to stop deducting future payments.

  • Your NEST account will remain open, and your existing pension pot will continue to be invested.

This does not cancel the pension entirely — your account stays in place, and charges may still apply to your savings.

Option 3: Leaving your pension dormant

If you’ve stopped contributing but don’t want to close your NEST pension, you can simply leave the account dormant. NEST will continue to manage your investments, and your money will stay invested until you decide to access it, transfer it, or consolidate it with another pension.

You can:

  • Log in at any time to monitor performance

  • Nominate a beneficiary for death benefits

  • Resume contributions in future if you wish

Option 4: Transferring your NEST pension to another provider

If you have other pension pots and would prefer to consolidate your pensions, you can transfer your NEST pension elsewhere.

How to transfer:

  1. Contact your new provider
    Most personal pensions and SIPPs offer a transfer-in service and will guide you through the process.

  2. Provide your NEST details
    You’ll need your NEST account number and current fund value.

  3. NEST will process the transfer
    This can take a few weeks. Once complete, your NEST pension will close, and your funds will be moved.

There are no exit charges for transferring out of NEST, but check with your receiving provider for any fees or limitations.

Things to consider before cancelling

Before you cancel or stop your NEST pension, it’s worth considering the implications:

  • Employer contributions will stop – If you opt out or stop contributing, you’ll lose free money from your employer.

  • You’ll miss out on tax relief – The government tops up your pension by 20% (or more for higher-rate taxpayers).

  • Pensions are long-term savings – While you may not feel the benefit now, small contributions can make a significant difference over time.

  • You can restart later – If your circumstances change, you can re-join your workplace pension or start a personal pension.

Final thoughts

You can cancel a NEST pension by opting out within one month of joining, or by stopping contributions at any time thereafter. Your existing pot will remain invested unless you choose to transfer it elsewhere.

While it is your right to leave the scheme, it’s important to think carefully about the long-term benefits you may be giving up — especially if your employer is contributing on your behalf. If in doubt, consider speaking to a pensions adviser or using free services like MoneyHelper for impartial guidance.