Smart Money People Logo

Aviva: Pension reviews

1.97
Based on 182 reviews, last reviewed 22nd Dec 2025
No new 5 star reviews
in the past 90 days
100% increase 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

Incredibly slow & frustrating to deal with I have been trying to cash in a small pension for over two months. The initial international call took over an hour during which it felt like they we... Read more Reviewed on: 22nd December 2025
Cat 's avatar
Cat

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.

Aviva Pension reviews (182)

Review of the Aviva, Pension:

CATASTROPHIC PENSION LOSSES IN 10 MONTHS

1
I want to publish an email I sent to Aviva today so that it might help warn other investors, and also so it is on record: RE PENSIONS FUNDS - TK10370929 and TK10329410 Further to my earlier email today (and 5 days ago) - since no one from Aviva is replying to my emails or calling me to advise about the CATASTROPHIC LOSSES in my pension funds, as before I have been trying to call Aviva to discuss this with someone.  However, I am not able to speak to anyone at Aviva because of this message "We are not able to talk to you because of an emergency. Try again later" So because I can't actually speak to someone at Aviva - I have attempted to take control of my Pension Funds myself. But, once again, Aviva is preventing me from doing this - see the following: In my Online Account, under the heading 'HOW YOUR PENSION IS INVESTED" - there is an option to "Choose Your Funds" However, although it states: "Press the button below to start the process of moving from your investment approach and telling us which individual funds you want to invest in." BUT....there is NO BUTTON TO PRESS!! - see the attachment Instead, there is a Call Us icon. But as I've explained above, when I call Aviva to speak about my Pension Fund, the reply is: "We are not able to talk to you because of an emergency. Try again later" So - at a time when my Aviva Pension policies - TK10370929 and TK10329410 - are incurring huge, seemingly uncontrollable losses - due probably to the high percentage of the policies being invested in High-Risk funds - I am being prevented from taking control of my own Pension Funds and moving them into Low-Risk funds. As I've explained in previous emails - the combined loss of my policies - TK10370929 and TK10329410 - since December 2021 is £38,273.54 + £9,653 = £47,926.54 in 10 months!!! The total funds left in my policies - TK10370929 and TK10329410 - today (28/09/2022) is - £77,469.46 + £19,377.20 = £96,846.66 My retirement date is September 2023 - less than a year away - but at the current rate of loss, there will be no money left in either policy. Therefore, because Aviva is not helping me - I want to take control myself - BUT I'M BEING PREVENTED FROM DOING SO BY AVIVA. I WANT SOMEONE TO CALL ME BACK PLEASE Reviewed on: 28th September 2022

helpful staff

5
answered all my questions and helped my decision Reviewed on: 15th October 2024

45 min on hold and still waiting to whitdraw 500 pou...

1
45 min on hold and still waiting to whitdraw 500 pounds Reviewed on: 1st October 2024

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

Do you have a different Aviva product?

Share your experiences with products to help others make smarter financial decisions and learn more about different products available. Write a review
Are you a business? Get insights, reply to reviews, invite customers and understand their needs

Want to see more from Aviva?

  • Lifetime Mortgage

    from Aviva 5.00 from 3 reviews
    Aviva
  • Landlord Insurance

    from Aviva 4.57 from 3 reviews
    Aviva
  • Pet Insurance

    from Aviva 3.82 from 12 reviews
    Aviva
    View all products