Auto-switching is an investment strategy designed to gradually change the funds you’re invested in as you approach your selected retirement date. The strategy is designed to grow the size of your pension pot in the earlier years of your retirement journey, and then to preserve the capital you've built up as you get closer to retirement. The funds you're invested in will automatically change to reflect this.
Our auto-switching range
We have several options available, depending on your pension. They all have different levels of involvement (like high or low), potential 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 of the different options through risk ratings.
Although we have categorised some of 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.
Please remember that the value of investments can go down as well as up and you could get back less than invested.
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
With these options, we make most of the investment decisions, so you don’t have to. Ideal if you don’t want to spend much time managing your investments.
If you’re choosing an investment option, make sure it’s suitable for your circumstances and level of risk you’re comfortable with.
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)
Low-involvement investment option documents
Mixed Investments 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
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
Mixed Investment option documents
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
Global shares investment option documents
Stakeholder Mixed Investments Universal Lifestyle approach
This approach is the current default for the following Stakeholder pension where no investment choice has been made. You cannot choose this investment approach.
- Stakeholder Pension
Stakeholder Mixed Investment option documents
High-involvement investment options
If you're a confident investor and want to take a hands-on role managing your investment, we believe these options could be for you.
If you're choosing an investment option, make sure it's suitable for your circumstances and the level of risk you're comfortable with and your plans for retirement
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
Self-style documents
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
Phased switching documents
Ready to view our fund range?
Choose your own funds
Alternatively, if you feel comfortable choosing your own investments, you can choose from our range of funds where auto-switching is not used. 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,
you can give us a call on 0800 145 5744.
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