AI agents for business finance: what they can and can't do
What AI agents can do in bookkeeping, close, collections and compliance today, where a person must stay in charge, and how to judge a product.
The short answer
Usually not straight away. Most workplace and state pensions stay where they were earned until pension age, and Nigeria has no social security agreement with the UK or Canada to combine records. The main exception is Australia, where eligible temporary residents who have left can claim a departing Australia superannuation payment, taxed at withholding rates of up to 45% (65% for working holiday makers). Some schemes also refund short service, such as NHS Scotland for under two years' membership.
When Nigerians relocate a second time, from the UK to Canada, or from Ireland back to Lagos, the question comes up: can I take what I paid in? The answer depends on three things: the type of pension, the country's rules for people who leave, and how long you were a member.
Three kinds of contribution
- State social security
- Contributions to a government scheme (UK National Insurance, Canada CPP, US Social Security). Generally not refunded on leaving; they count towards a state pension if you qualify.
- Workplace pension
- A pot or defined benefit built through your employer. Usually kept until the scheme's pension age; some refund short membership.
- Personal or retirement savings accounts
- Plans such as a Canadian RRSP. You can often withdraw, but tax is withheld.
Country by country
| Country | What the official pages say (as read Oct 2026) |
|---|---|
| Australia | Eligible temporary residents who have left can apply to release super as a departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP). ATO instructions (last updated July 2017) show withholding of 0% on the tax-free component, 35% on the taxed element, 45% on the untaxed element, and 65% for working holiday makers |
| United Kingdom | Workplace pensions can usually be taken from 55 at the earliest; a refund of your own contributions applies if you opt out within a month of enrolment. Nigeria is not on HMRC's list of social security agreement countries |
| NHS Scotland (example of a public scheme) | Membership under three months: refund only; three months to two years: refund, transfer or deferred benefit; refunds taxed at standard rate and paid at least one month after leaving |
| Canada | Nigeria is not among Canada's 65 social security agreements; an agreement is not required to apply for CPP. RRSP withdrawals by non-residents face 25% withholding unless a treaty reduces it |
Other countries have their own rules. Ireland's auto-enrolment scheme, for instance, refunds only your own contributions if you opt out, and US students on F-1 visas are often exempt from Social Security tax in the first place; our guides to first payslip deductions and opting out cover both.
Worked example: a DASP claim
Example figures using the withholding rates in the ATO instructions: a former student leaves Australia with A$8,000 of super, all in the taxed element. Withholding at 35% is A$2,800, so the payment is A$5,200 before any fund fees. Had the same person been on a working holiday visa, 65% withholding would leave A$2,800. Check the ATO's current rates before claiming, because the instructions page we read dates from 2017.
If no refund is available
Leaving the money where it is does not mean losing it. You can usually keep the pot invested and draw it later from Nigeria; see workplace pensions if you move back to Nigeria. Where there is no social security agreement, contributions may still count towards a state pension in that country if you meet its own minimum, and Canada.ca notes you do not need an agreement to apply. Tax on payments made to you in Nigeria is covered in how pension income is taxed across borders.
What to ask each scheme before you leave
- Am I entitled to a refund, and is there a deadline after leaving?
- If not, what is the earliest age I can draw benefits, and can you pay to a bank account outside the country?
- What tax will be withheld on a refund or payment to a non-resident?
- Can I keep online access and update my address from abroad?
- Who should I name as beneficiary, and can family abroad claim if I die?
- Ask for a written statement of your contributions and service dates.
Before cashing out where you are allowed to, weigh the tax withheld against keeping the money invested. Opting out to get a refund has its own costs; see should you opt out of a workplace pension. For the wider move, use the relocating back to Nigeria money checklist.
Where Pryme fits
A refund paid in Australian dollars, pounds or euros does not have to be converted on arrival. A Pryme account holds GBP, USD, EUR and NGN with local details; you decide when to convert with Swap, and the app shows the rate and the fee before you approve (Swap).
Questions people ask
Can I get my pension back when I leave the UK?
Usually only if you opted out within a month of enrolment, or your scheme refunds short service. Otherwise the pot stays invested and can usually be taken from 55 at the earliest.
Can I withdraw my super when I leave Australia?
Eligible temporary residents who have left can apply for a departing Australia superannuation payment. The ATO instructions show withholding of 35% on the taxed element and 45% on the untaxed element, and 65% for working holiday makers.
Does Nigeria have a pension agreement with Canada?
Nigeria is not on Canada's list of social security agreements as read in October 2026. You can still apply for CPP if you qualify.
I worked for the NHS in Scotland for 18 months. Can I get a refund?
SPPA says members with between three months and two years of membership can choose a refund, a transfer or a deferred benefit. Refunds are taxed and paid at least one month after leaving.
Sources
- ATO: Departing Australia super payment summary instructions (updated 26 Jul 2017) · accessed Oct 2026
- SPPA: NHS Scotland, refund of contributions · accessed Oct 2026
- GOV.UK: Workplace pensions · accessed Oct 2026
- HMRC: Social Security abroad (NI38), updated 7 Jul 2026 · accessed Oct 2026
- Canada.ca: Social security agreements (modified 9 Oct 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- CRA: Tax rates on RRSP withdrawals (modified 29 Jan 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.