Your investment options
Discover how to tailor your savings with flexible options that match your retirement plans and risk comfort.
Making choices that suit you
If you’re in the Defined Contribution section of the Scheme, you have a choice of how to invest your funds. These choices may seem daunting at first, but it’s worth taking the time to understand your options as a little knowledge can help make your savings work in the best way for you.
You can choose between two main types of investment approach:
Lifestyle options
Designed to automatically manage your investments for you over time, gradually adjusting how your money is invested as you get closer to retirement.
Self-select option
This option lets you choose your own funds, allowing you to manage your investments directly.
If you don’t actively choose where to invest your pension, your contributions will automatically go into the Scheme’s default option – the Cash at Retirement Lifestyle Option. This option is designed for members who plan to take their pension as a single lump sum at retirement.
Understanding your options and reviewing them from time to time is important. Your investment choices should reflect things like:
When you plan to retire
How you want to use your savings at retirement
(cash lump sum,
regular income,
or a mix)
How much investment risk you’re comfortable with
Any other savings or financial commitments you have
If you’re unsure about investment risk or want to understand more about how it works, this MoneyHelper guide explains the risks and returns of investing.
Lifestyle options automatically manage your investments. They start by investing in higher-risk funds (which may offer more growth), then gradually move into lower-risk funds as you approach retirement, aiming to protect your savings from big market changes near the end of your working life.
There are two lifestyle options to choose from:
Cash at Retirement Lifestyle Option
This option is designed for members who plan to take their whole pension as a single cash lump sum at retirement. It’s also the Scheme’s default option, which means if you don’t actively choose a fund, your savings will be automatically invested here.
Cash at Retirement Lifestyle Option
Income at Retirement Lifestyle Option
This option is for members who plan to use their pension to buy an annuity (a guaranteed income for life) and take part of their savings as a cash lump sum.
Income at Retirement Lifestyle Option
Both lifestyle options are available to all members. The lifestyle options manage your investments for you based on a target retirement age (assumed to be 65 unless you tell Capita otherwise). If you plan to retire earlier or later, it’s important to update your retirement age so your funds are adjusted at the right time. You can do this via the member portal.
All members can choose their own investment funds if they want to. This is called the self-select option.
You’ll have access to a range selected by the Trustee, with different investment approaches and risk levels. You can:
- Invest in a single fund, or split your savings across several
- Switch between funds at any time
- Stay invested in the same funds throughout, or adjust them as your needs change
Self-selecting gives you more control, but it also means more involvement. Unlike the lifestyle options, your funds won’t automatically change as you approach retirement, so you’ll need to review your choices regularly. To find out more details about the funds available to you, you can explore the fund factsheets below.
What to consider
Lower-risk funds tend to be more stable, but may offer slower growth
Higher-risk funds may grow more over the long term, but they can also go up and down more in value
Many people take more risk when they’re younger and reduce it as they near retirement – the lifestyle options do this automatically for you
If you choose to manage your own funds, it’s a good idea to check them regularly and update them if your plans or your attitude to financial risk change.
If you don’t select a fund, your money will go into the Cash in Retirement Lifestyle Option (the default investment strategy).
This may be suitable, but it’s a good idea to review your options and make sure they match your retirement plans.
If you’re unsure which option is right for you, consider speaking to a financial adviser. You can find a financial adviser through MoneyHelper. Make sure any adviser you speak to is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority. This means they’re properly regulated and qualified to give advice. You can also contact Capita for general guidance by going to ‘Contact Us’ when logged into the secure online portal or by calling 0345 122 2032.
How do I review or change my investments?
You can manage your investment choices by logging into your secure online portal. From there, you can view your current fund(s), check performance, and make investment changes.
Online portal
Aegon BlackRock Over 15 Years Gilt Index Fund
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Aegon BlackRock Cash Fund
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Aegon BlackRock Over 5 Year Index-Linked Gilt Index Fund
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Aegon BlackRock Over 15 Years Corporate Bond Index Fund
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Aegon BlackRock UK Equity Index Fund
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Aegon BlackRock 30/70 Currency Hedged Global Equity Index
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Aegon BlackRock World ESG Equity Tracker Fund
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Aegon HSBC Islamic Global Equity Index Fund
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Aegon LGIM Diversified Fund
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Aegon LGIM Future World Annuity Aware Fund
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