Auto-switching is an investment strategy designed to gradually change the funds you’re invested in as you approach your selected retirement date. By automatically changing the funds, the focus of the strategy is on growth in the size of your pension pot in the earlier years and then on capital preservation as you get closer to retirement.
Our auto-switching range
We have several options available, depending on your pension. They all have different levels of involvement (like high or low), outcomes and risk levels, so make sure your choices are suitable for you and the level of risk you’re comfortable with. See how we define the risk levels through risk ratings.
Although we have categorised the solutions below as low-involvement investment options, in the sense that you are invested in funds designed to manage your savings at each stage of the retirement journey, we do believe that you should review your investments regularly so that you remain comfortable with them.
The value of your investments can go down as well as up, and may be worth less than has been paid in.
If you are in a workplace pension scheme, your employer may also offer different options specific to their scheme, so ask your employer for details. If you’re unsure what options are available, check your policy documents.
Low-involvement investment options
Available for the following pension plans:
- Company Pension @ Aviva (not available to Isle of Man plans)
- Company Stakeholder Pension @ Aviva (Stewardship is not available to Company Stakeholder Pensions)
- Company Pension @ Aviva
- Company Stakeholder Pension @ Aviva
- Company Pension Freedom @ Aviva (Isle of Man Section 61 Plan)
- Group Personal Pension (schemes established from August 2000)
- Variable Money Purchase Plan & Variable Group AVC Plan
- ’98 Series Personal and Group Personal Pensions
- Defined Contribution Scheme Replacement
- Lifestage Personal Pension
Mixed Investments Annuity Lifestyle approach
Available for the following pension plans:
- Company Pension @ Aviva (Isle of Man 89 Plan)
- ’98 Series Group Personal Pension Isle Of Man
Global Shares Universal Lifestyle approach
Available for the following pension plans:
- Company Pension @ Aviva
- Company Stakeholder Pension @ Aviva
- Company Pension Freedom @ Aviva (Isle of Man Section 61 Plan)
- Group Personal Pension (schemes established from August 2000)
- Variable Money Purchase Plan & Variable Group AVC Plan
- ’98 Series Personal and Group Personal Pensions
- Defined Contribution Scheme Replacement
- Lifestage Personal Pension
Global Shares Annuity Lifestyle approach
Available for the following pension plans:
- Company Pension @ Aviva (Isle of Man 89 Plan)
- ’98 Series Group Personal Pension Isle Of Man
Stakeholder Mixed Investments Universal Lifestyle approach
This approach is only available to Aviva’s stakeholder pensions where no investment choice has been made. You cannot choose this investment approach.
Available for the following pension plans:
- Company Stakeholder Pension @ Aviva
- Stakeholder Pension
- Your Pension @ Aviva (taken out on or after 6 April 2001)
High-involvement investment options
Self-style Universal approach
Available for the following pension plans:
- Company Pension @ Aviva
- Company Stakeholder Pension @ Aviva
- Company Pension Freedom @ Aviva (Isle of Man Section 61 Plan)
- Group Personal Pension (schemes established from August 2000)
- Variable Money Purchase Plan & Variable Group AVC Plan
- ’98 Series Personal and Group Personal Pensions
- Defined Contribution Scheme Replacement
- Lifestage Personal Pension
Self-style Annuity approach
Available for the following pension plans:
- Company Pension @ Aviva (Isle of Man 89 Plan)
- ’98 Series Group Personal Pension Isle Of Man
Phased Switching Universal approach
Available for the following pension plans:
- Company Pension @ Aviva
- Company Stakeholder Pension @ Aviva
- Group Personal Pension (schemes established from August 2000)
- Variable Money Purchase Plan & Variable Group AVC Plan
- ’98 Series Personal and Group Personal Pensions
- Defined Contribution Scheme Replacement
- Personal Pension
- Stakeholder Pension
- Your Pension @ Aviva
- Your Pension Select @ Aviva
- Lifestage Personal Pension
Phased Switching Annuity approach
Available for the following pension plans:
- Company Pension @ Aviva (Isle of Man 89 Plan)
- ’98 Series Group Personal Pension Isle Of Man
- '98 Series Personal Pension Isle Of Man, Jersey and Guernsey
Choose your own funds
Alternatively, if you feel comfortable choosing your own investments, you can choose from our range of funds with no auto-switching element. You can find details of all the funds available to you at our Fund Centre.
Once you've chosen the funds you want to switch to, just let us know. If you have an Aviva or ex-Friends Life pension, you may be able to switch funds online with MyAviva. Otherwise, you can give us a call on 0800 145 5744.
Ready to view our fund range?
Pension articles
Take a look at our library of helpful articles and guides.
Tax relief, allowances, and SIPPs
We’ll get you up to speed on allowances and tax rules that could boost your pension pot
What’s a SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension)?
A SIPP is a type of personal pension where the investment decisions belong to you. You decide how and where your money is invested from a wide range of options.
Sipp vs ISA or both?
There are benefits to SIPPs and ISAs and for some, both is a good option. Find out more about the key differences to SIPP vs ISA here.