I am currently in the British Army and likely to be transferring to the Australian Forces. When I leave the Army I shall be elligible to a half pension. My concern is regarding how best to use or invest that pension without losing a hefty amount to the taxman. My salary in Australia will put me into the higher tax bracket and the thought of having my pension taxed at that rate is worrying. Can I keep it in the UK and re-invest it, or is there a way of transferring it directly to another pensions fund without incurring heavy taxation?

i take it you get an instant pension not a preserved pension?
are you commuting the greatest amount you can?

i seem to remember people talking about having to live to a ripe old age,
before commuting left less money overall and that was if you stuck it under a floor board and got no interest.

if tax is your worry, commuting is tax free in the uk? and the pension is less =less tax?