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Aviva: Pension reviews

1.97
Based on 180 reviews, last reviewed 1st Nov 2025
100% decrease in 5 star reviews
in the past 90 days
67% decrease in 1 star reviews
in the past 90 days
See only 5 star reviews
18%
See only 4 star reviews
9%
See only 3 star reviews
1%
See only 2 star reviews
4%
See only 1 star reviews
68%

Latest highest rating:

4

old fashioned processes Good company but some old fashioned processes (need to download and print off forms and then send them in the post). Very limited functionality on the... Read more Reviewed on: 7th September 2025
Adrian M's avatar
Adrian M

Latest lowest rating:

1

My pension provider was Friends Provident. My pension provider was Friends Provident. Unfortunately,the company was acquired by Aviva. After 27 years I decided to draw down on the pension. What... Read more Reviewed on: 1st November 2025
Mark w's avatar
Mark w

About this product

Aviva offer a self-invested personal pension (SIPP).

There are five ways to invest in the Aviva SIPP. You can decide between the Universal Retirement Fund, a ready-made fund or choose an option from a fund shortlist provided by experts. You can also build your own portfolio or buy and sell shares and investments.

Aviva pension reviews share what it's like to have this pension. If you've used Aviva before, you can also leave your own review.

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Aviva Pension reviews (180)

Consistently incompetent

1
Wrongly invested my pension. Continually sent wrong documents. Compensation cheques never arrived. My pension was woth the Pru, who were excellent. Aviva took them over and have been consistently incompetent. Use at your own risk Reviewed on: 23rd September 2024

Brilliant all round.

5
Brilliant customer service. Reasonable charges. Excellent website and app with many functions. Reviewed on: 4th September 2024

Completely hopeless at giving you your money

1
I have been trying to withdraw a tax free lump sum for 3 months, it is supposed to take 7 days to get a quote and then 5 days to get the cash. I still don't even have a quote. The contact centre are very friendly and try to be helpful but the payments team seem completely incompetent and unhelpful. It is stunning that they cant seem to talk to each other. Reviewed on: 3rd September 2024

Such polite and friendly staff, very helpful and min...

5
Such polite and friendly staff, very helpful and minimal wsit time on phone. Reviewed on: 24th August 2024

Good Product

5
Pension looked after since transferred to Aviva Reviewed on: 24th August 2024

High charges reduce your returns.

4
High charges reduce your returns. Also limited range of low cost fund options. Reviewed on: 23rd August 2024

I am trying to take my pens ion as a lump sum .

1
I am trying to take my pension as a lump sum . They are not being very cooperative at the moment. I rang a few weeks ago and they sent an information pack filled then docs to sign / signed and now 4 week delay and was told by a very rude person that I’m not the only pensioner cashing in their pension . She / they seem to forget that it is my money that I paid in all those years and now it seems they begrudge allowing me my pension which over the years I worked hard for . No respect for the customer whatsoever k I’ll Reviewed on: 13th August 2024

They behave as if it’s their money, not yours!

1
I’ve had a very bad experience dealing with Aviva over my pension transfer. I’ve spent hours on this and supplied with them with endless documentation and had a money helper appointment. They don’t return phone calls or reply to emails, it’s all completely shambolic. This has been going on for over 7 months now, and still they are dragging their heals and not transferring my money. I’m starting to wonder what they’re doing with all my data, as well as my money! Avoid Aviva Pensions at all cost, just read the other one star reviews on this and other websites, there are so many of them! I suspect the only reviews above one star are written by their own employees, they are probably incentivised to do them, in an attempt to drown out the dissatisfaction of their real customers. Frustrating and difficult company to deal with. I’ll be reporting them to Pensions Ombudsman. Reviewed on: 6th July 2024

Shambolic experience from start to finish.

1
Shambolic experience from start to finish. Tell you 3-6 weeks to transfer funds and still waiting 12 weeks later. Avoid at all cost Reviewed on: 4th July 2024

Having paid over £6000 over 15 years I received diag...

1
Having paid over £6000 over 15 years I received diagnosis stage 4 terminal bowel cancer last October, upon contacting them I had a female saying a very unconvincing SORRY we won’t pay out on this policy if I was to get this diagnosis in the last 18 months of policy, they continued to take money telling me that I have to die before 14 may this year to get the payout. So check the small print as these companies it shows do not have your health or interest as a priority, should have had a payout of over£100.000 which would have helped my wife pay our £70.000 mortgage instead of now hurrying to downsize prior to my death. Nice company to do people with. STAY CLEAR OF AVIVA Reviewed on: 21st June 2024

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