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The short answer
In most countries a workplace pension stays yours when you leave: you can usually leave it invested and draw it from Nigeria at the scheme's minimum age (in the UK usually 55 at the earliest), subject to tax in the paying country and possibly in Nigeria. Early cash-out on leaving exists only in specific schemes, such as Australia's departing superannuation payment for temporary residents. Nigeria has no social security agreement with the UK or Canada, so state pension records there are not combined with Nigerian contributions.
Many Nigerians abroad are unsure whether they will stay for good. That uncertainty makes people treat pension deductions as money lost, and some opt out to send more home. Before deciding, it helps to know what normally happens to a workplace pension if you later relocate to Nigeria.
Three things you can usually do on leaving
| Option | How it works | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Leave it invested | The pot stays with the scheme and keeps growing or falling with investments | Keep your contact details and access to the online account up to date |
| Transfer it | Move it to another scheme, sometimes abroad, where rules allow | Transfer charges, tax on unauthorised transfers, scam offers |
| Draw it | Take benefits once you reach the scheme's minimum age | Tax in the paying country, possibly Nigerian tax, currency risk |
A fourth option, cashing out early just because you left, is the exception, not the rule. Our guide to claiming back pension contributions when you leave lists the schemes that allow it.
How the main destinations handle it
United Kingdom
GOV.UK's workplace pensions guidance says pensions can usually be taken from 55 at the earliest, with scheme pension ages usually 60 to 65, and that you can usually take up to 25% tax-free. Leaving the UK does not change those ages. On the state side, HMRC's NI38 guidance does not list Nigeria among the EU or social security agreement countries, so years worked in Nigeria do not count towards a UK State Pension, and the reverse is also true.
Canada
Canada's list of 65 social security agreements does not include Nigeria. Canada.ca notes that an agreement is not required to apply for pensions and that one only helps with eligibility. The CRA says CPP and OAS benefits paid to non-residents are normally subject to 25% non-resident tax, which a treaty may reduce, and that this withholding is normally the final obligation.
Ireland
Under Ireland's auto-enrolment scheme (My Future Fund, from 1 January 2026), the CCPC says the pot follows you between jobs and is accessed at the scheme retirement age, which follows State Pension rules. The CCPC page does not address members who leave Ireland.
Australia
Australia is the main exception: eligible temporary residents who have left can apply for a departing Australia superannuation payment. The ATO's payment summary instructions, last updated in July 2017, show withholding of 0% on the tax-free component, 35% on the taxed element and 45% on the untaxed element (65% for working holiday makers). Check the ATO's current guidance before relying on those rates.
What Nigeria's system means for returnees
In Nigeria, workers under the Contributory Pension Scheme have a Retirement Savings Account (RSA) with a Pension Fund Administrator. A foreign pension does not move into an RSA automatically. FCMB Pensions' note on cross-border arrangements describes how Nigerians working abroad can contribute in foreign currency through a bank into the PFA's domiciliary account, converted to naira at the official rate on receipt, with the contributor bearing exchange costs. Our Nigeria library explains how the RSA system works, and our guide to RSA benefits paid abroad covers the other direction.
Tax is the other piece. A pension paid from abroad to someone living in Nigeria may be taxed by the paying country and could also be relevant to Nigerian tax if you are Nigerian tax resident. See how Nigerian pension income is taxed abroad for the reverse case and speak to a tax adviser in both countries.
What to check before you decide
- Your scheme's minimum pension age and whether it pays benefits to overseas bank accounts.
- Whether the scheme lets you keep an online account and update your address from abroad.
- Any charges for leaving the pot dormant.
- How much your employer adds; giving that up has a cost. See should you opt out of a workplace pension.
- Your beneficiary nomination, so family in Nigeria or abroad can claim if you die.
- Copies of annual statements, kept somewhere you can reach from Lagos.
Where Pryme fits
When a pension starts paying, it often arrives in pounds, dollars, euros or Canadian dollars. A Pryme account holds GBP, USD, EUR and NGN with local details, so a payment can stay in its currency until you choose to convert; the app shows the rate and the fee before you approve (multicurrency account). This is information, not pension advice.
Questions people ask
What happens to my UK workplace pension if I move back to Nigeria?
It usually stays invested in your name. You can normally take it from 55 at the earliest (scheme ages are usually 60 to 65), subject to the scheme's rules and tax.
Can I transfer my foreign pension into my Nigerian RSA?
There is no automatic route. Nigerians abroad can contribute to an RSA through a PFA's domiciliary account, but transferring an existing foreign pot depends on the foreign scheme's rules and tax law.
Does Nigeria have a social security agreement with the UK or Canada?
Nigeria is not on HMRC's NI38 agreement lists or on Canada's list of social security agreements as read in October 2026.
Can I cash out my pension when I leave?
Only in specific schemes. Australia's departing superannuation payment is the best-known example; most workplace pensions keep the money until pension age.
Sources
- 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: Non-residents of Canada · accessed Oct 2026
- ATO: Departing Australia super payment summary instructions (updated 26 Jul 2017) · accessed Oct 2026
- FCMB Pensions: Salient points for cross-border arrangement · 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.