Pension freedoms and high transfer values lead to more interest in transferring defined benefits to defined contribution (DC) flexi-access drawdown.
The majority of defined benefit (DB) schemes insist those that wish to transfer must take all their benefits out of a scheme rather than a percentage, despite regulations allowing partial transfers.
Historically most schemes don't allow this on the grounds of administrative complexity, as they need to adjust the remaining benefits, continue to keep records and pay a scheme pension.
Aegon head of pensions, Kate Smith, said: "Although allowed by regulations, many trustees and employers may have ruled out partial transfers because of the administrative complexities they could create.
"But in today's climate, partial transfers could be attractive to employers and trustees as they can improve DB schemes' financial health and the company's balance sheet."
"Administrative challenges may not be insurmountable and trustees could draw on inspiration from the pension splitting rules."
DB members have the statutory right to transfer their pension scheme up to a year before their normal pension age, including to flexi-access drawdown, but not to partial transfers.
These have been permitted since 2006, but most schemes prefer to get rid of the liability entirely by having members transfer the full amount.
DB savers don't have the right access to Pension Freedoms unless they transfer out of their scheme after taking regulated advice, and by doing this lose a valuable guaranteed income.
"Interest in DB to DC transfers is rocketing due to a combination of the pension freedoms, high transfer values and scare stories about DB sustainability," Smith said.
"But choosing whether to give up a guaranteed retirement income for life, even with advice, is a big and complex decision, and many may be put off from taking the 'all or nothing' plunge.
"Transferring to DC does provide increased flexibility to take as much or as little retirement income from age 55 as and when it suits the individual.
"But in return, individuals take on the risk that they might outlive their savings or that a stock market downturn may reduce the value of their savings."
According to the Pension Protection Fund the current combined estimated deficit at the end of September for DB schemes was £419.7bn
Smith argues that partial transfers could allow DB members to benefit from all the advantages of pension freedoms while mitigating the downsides.