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Aviva: Pension reviews

Name: Pension
Rating: 2 (172 reviews)

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1.89

Based on 172 reviews, last reviewed 31st May 2025

No new 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

167% increase in 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

18%

70%

Latest highest rating:

5

Managing my pension pot very well Managing my pension pot very well with regular updates and advice as to whether I have enough invested in order to retire. Reviewed on: 18th April 2025

Latest lowest rating:

1

Holding on to my pension single payment I have had a pension with Aviva for 25 years and 3 months ago I decided to pay a single premium into my pension plan March 17th 2025, I received an em... Read more Reviewed on: 31st May 2025

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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 (172)

Review of the Aviva, Pension:

Accessible

Good that you can access online to see your pension details and like the breakdown it gives. User friendly Reviewed on: 1st August 2016

Holding on to my pension single payment

I have had a pension with Aviva for 25 years and 3 months ago I decided to pay a single premium into my pension plan March 17th 2025, I received an email thereafter saying we have to verify you Identity, and since then they have held my single premium of £3000 without allocating my funds paid to them to my pension plan. I have supplied then with passport and bank statement verification and the team that were dealing with this have not acted in a professional manner, not in one instance did the person dealing with this contact me when I sent them personal documentation to clarify receipt or clarifications of any issues or when I reached out to them to try to resolve the issue. I decided by the end of April 2025 to included high management in my emails to the person dealing with my single premium and verification, this was already after 6 weeks since this issued occurred and after numerous amounts of emails, chatbot and telephone calls, this finally prompted a respond from the person dealing with this issue, they had an opportunity to clarify in detail what was wrong and how the issue could be resolved and failed to do so. In respect that I have been a loyal customer for all those years and then treating their customers with criminal intent and total disrespect, abusing their authority in this matter and not acting in the interest of the client or helping in any way to address any solutions. They are still allocating my regular premiums into my pension plan but have not allocated my single premium paid 17th March 2025 to today’s date 31st May 2025. Reviewed on: 31st May 2025

They try to keep your money.

They try to keep your money. I'm a Canadian and lived and worked in the UK for 14 months in 2018/2019. UK laws do not apply to me, as I am a Canadian. I was told by one of their reps I could get my money paid out 6 months prior to reaching 55 years of age, and now they deny that and say this only applies if I'm sick and can't work. I have had my money sitting in the UK for 6 years, I have nothing to do with the UK anymore, it is my money and I want it as I was promised by their rep. Also, the investment is not worth it. The return is so little, it's useless. Reviewed on: 27th May 2025

'Heritage' Pensions - Wet Signatures and Pony Express

Both myself and my wife have pensions with Aviva, mine through a company pension my wife a self purchased AVC with then Norwich Union. As over 55 we decided to liquidate both to pay off our mortgage. I rang to be told 5 days for docusign and 10 days to receive the funds, great (although still in the first stage so fingers crossed). Day after my wife calls and because it is a 'heritage' policy it will take 8 weeks, which includes the need for wet signatures and postal communication. I was told the 'back office' deal with new enquiries in date order and therefore an initial email to establish we would like to take the pension (we would need to print sign and post back) and move to the next stage could take up to 3 weeks. It does feel it is designed to not give you your money but I fear it is worse than that and is pure incompetence. I'm only in week 1 of the process so will update and improve my review if things go better than expected! Reviewed on: 25th May 2025

Stressful experience

Hit 55 in March so contacted Aviva to access 25% of my pension pot. Initially told it will take 3-6 weeks I’m now on week 10 & still no pension! I call at least twice a week to find out what’s happening to be told there’s a backlog at Aviva, that’s not my problem! I’ve been pushed from pillar to post each department blaming each other! Called again Thursday 8th to be told funds would be in my account on May 9th by 5.30! Wrong! Called 12th May to be told the Aviva member of staff had mis informed me & they offered a paltry £50. I politely told them to shove it, I just want my pension money!! AVOID AVOID AVOID Reviewed on: 12th May 2025

Do not use Aviva for your pension!

Do not use Aviva if you want to be able to access your money of get a response from them. At this point I am calling them every week and they tell me a manager will get back to me and never does. They are holding my money hostage. Worst ever customer experience. Do not give them your money! Reviewed on: 9th May 2025

Are Aviva literally the worst provider?

Since being opted into AVIVA pensions I've barely ever been able to access my pot and each time I have it's required a lengthy phone call despite having all my account details and access to their app on playstore (which apparently I'm not entitled to use). Each time I attempt to login online they tell me my details are incorrect (turns out they change them every 6 months). Each time to try to reset my detail via email no email arrives in my email box (spam or otherwise). I work all day mon-fri (AVIVA are also closed on weekends). I don't get how this company can operate, they are just so difficult to work with. I just can't access my money. Reviewed on: 26th April 2025

12 days later and still waiting for docusign docume...

12 days later and still waiting for docusign document to come through (should be max of 5 days), Aviva confirmed it is there fault. they are now informing me that they have got everything from their different departments 2 days ago but still no Docusign Email Reviewed on: 24th April 2025

Managing my pension pot very well

Managing my pension pot very well with regular updates and advice as to whether I have enough invested in order to retire. Reviewed on: 18th April 2025

Traditional and basic

Great company. They have many services and their size offers security and trust. Most functions need to be done by phone as their online services are limited only viewing the account is available. Reviewed on: 16th April 2025

6 months and still waiting for my cash withdrawal fr...

6 months and still waiting for my cash withdrawal from my pension, excuse after excuse, the advice us on to avoid scams, pity no-one adviced me about these sharks Reviewed on: 26th March 2025

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