Auto-switching options
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.
Pension articles
Take a look at our library of helpful articles and guides.
What is a crystallised pension?
Find out about crystallised pensions, what they are and what happens when a pension crystallises.
What is the Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPAA)?
The Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPAA) is a reduced annual allowance for making tax-efficient pension contributions.
Should I pay into a private pension or a savings account?
Find out more about private pensions and savings accounts and their benefits to help you save for retirement.
How does compound investing in a pension work?
Learn how compound investing works and how it can benefit your defined contribution pension.
What happens to my SIPP when I die?
Find out what happens to a SIPP after death, including rules around inheritance tax.
Can I transfer an ISA to a SIPP?
Learn more about moving ISA funds to a SIPP for tax benefits and retirement planning.
How many SIPPs can I have?
Find out more information about the number of SIPPs you can have at any one time.
SIPP vs SSAS – What are the differences?
Discover which is best for you: a Self-Invested Personal Pension, or a Small Self-Administered Scheme (SSAS).
7 reasons why you're not too young to start saving for your retirement
A simple guide to early retirement saving: SIPPs, ISAs, and why to start now.
The differences between SIPPs and stakeholder pensions
Learn more about choosing between SIPPs and stakeholder pensions for your future.
How to choose a SIPP that’s right for you
Learn how to pick a SIPP that fits your needs, manage risks, and understand fees for smarter planning.
Can I have a SIPP and a workplace pension?
Learn more about the key differences between SIPPs and workplace pensions for your retirement planning.
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. Capital at risk.
My pension is losing money. What should I do?
If your pension is losing money, understanding how pension investments work can help ease your fears.
Tax relief, allowances, and SIPPs
We’ll get you up to speed on allowances and tax rules that could boost your pension pot.