Universal Retirement Fund

Managed investments for your SIPP

A professionally managed investment option designed to help grow your pension savings over the long term.

Investments can rise and fall.

Understand the level of risk first: Investing offers the potential for better returns than cash savings over the long term (5+ years). But there are risks, the value of your investments may go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you’ve paid in.

Why choose our Universal Retirement Fund?

The Universal Retirement Fund is designed to make investing for retirement simple and stress-free.

It’s actively managed by experts, so you don’t need to make day-to-day decisions. As your selected retirement date approaches, the fund gradually reduces investment risk to help protect your savings.

You can change your retirement date at any time, and the fund will automatically adjust to match – giving you flexibility and peace of mind. 

Simplicity and flexibility

Risk-reduction strategy

Professional management

How Aviva’s Universal Retirement Fund is managed over time

The Universal Retirement Fund is designed to evolve with you.

As you move closer to your chosen retirement date, the fund gradually adjusts its investment mix – shifting from growth-focused assets to more stable, lower-risk options.

This transition happens automatically, with professional fund managers overseeing the process to help keep your retirement savings on track.

Early investment stage – focused on growth

In the early stages, the Universal Retirement Fund focuses on higher-risk assets like equities to help maximise long-term returns.

This approach is better suited to younger investors who have more time until retirement and can benefit from the potential for growth.

Midway to retirement stage – balancing risk and reward

As retirement gets closer, the fund gradually shifts to a balanced mix of equities and bonds.

This stage aims to deliver steady growth while starting to increase protection for your capital, helping to manage risk as your retirement date approaches.

Approaching retirement stage – reducing risk

As you near retirement, the fund gradually moves into lower-risk assets such as such as bonds, cash and money market instruments.

This shift is designed to help preserve your savings and reduce market volatility, offering greater stability when you need it most.

Managed throughout your journey with us

The Universal Retirement Fund is professionally managed at every stage, so you don’t need to make ongoing investment decisions.

The strategy automatically adjusts based on your selected retirement date, helping to keep your savings aligned with your goals over time.

How to start investing with our Universal Retirement Fund

To invest in the Universal Retirement Fund, you'll need to open a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP), as the fund is available exclusively through this account type.

During setup – or when managing your existing SIPP – you can easily select the Universal Retirement Fund as your investment choice.

You’ll also be asked to set a retirement date, which helps guide how the fund adjusts its investment strategy over time. This date can be updated whenever your plans change.

And remember, if you need to make changes or get support, help is always available through our platform, app, or customer service team.

Invest with a SIPP icon Invest with a SIPP

Get your retirement journey on track with a SIPP, where you can select the Universal Retirement Fund as an investment choice.

Transfer a pension icon Transfer a pension

Already have a pension elsewhere? Transfer it to Aviva and choose to invest in the Universal Retirement Fund with ease.

What to expect after you invest?

Track performance easily

You can monitor how your Universal Retirement Fund is performing through Aviva’s platform or app.

Professionally managed

The fund is regularly reviewed and adjusted by our expert managers to support long-term growth and stability.

Automatic risk adjustment

The fund’s investment strategy evolves over time, gradually reducing risk as your retirement date approaches.

Remember market movements

As with any investment, the value of funds can go down as well as up so you could get back less than you invest.

Learn about investing

We have a range of useful guides and calculators that can take the mystery out of investing so you can choose yours with confidence.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Universal Retirement Fund?

It’s an investment fund managed by Aviva Investors, designed to support long-term pension growth, gradually reducing risk as you approach retirement.

Is this fund option only available for Aviva's SIPP?

Yes, the Universal Retirement Fund is exclusively available through Aviva’s Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP).

What are the charges for Universal Retirement Fund?

Charges vary depending on your SIPP and the fund itself. Full details are provided before you invest, including any ongoing fund and platform fees.