Are Scottish Widows a bunch of crooks. Due to overseas travel I missed my 75 birthday nomination of how to select how to move forward... Are Scottish Widows a bunch of crooks. Due to overseas travel I missed my 75 birthday nomination of how to select how to move forward with my investment. I received a letter from the stating my investment would be put into an annuity. There was no terms and condition of the annuity and as I was 75 YO with COPD and a very short life expectancy with no option to nominate my wife as a beneficiary this appeared to me as a way for them to benefit of my death. My pension investment as of 14 September 2024 stood at GBP169,080.80. I spoke by phone early October 2024 and advised I did not want an annuity and would like to full value reinvested. They agreed as there was a 30 day cooling off period type annuity would be cancelled. After near a year of emails, phone calls, etc, I finally received an email agreeing that the annuity would be cancelled and I could select how to move forward, annuity, full withdrawal with 25% tax free or 25% tax free and reinvest with future drawdown. I had a long conversation with one of the Retirement Hub team to discuss all the options 31 July 2025. After the call I received a very detailed email for Andrew Ralton which I had to sign electronially The email was very detailed and explained all the options available but any decision made was binding and irreversible. It was made clear I should take advice before making a final decision and links were included to HMRC, PensionWise and other bodies.During the call Andrew was kind enough to detail I would be entitled to GBP42, 270 but also other withdraws would be subject to full taxation. After a 3 week period to review and make a decision I made a further call today, 18 August 2025 spoke to a gentleman named Percy and was told my options were 1 - Annuity 2 - Full Pension Encashment ( with UK HMRC tax penalties) I am Spanish tax resident. 3 - Transferring to a different provider. I would not be entitled to 25% tax free allowance. I am totally at witts end with Scottish Widows, I believe they are in cahoots with HMRC and will do anything to prevent me having a relaxing pension. A warning to all others with a Scottish Widows pension, probably nominated by your employer, get your money out as soon as you reach 50 and invest with a reliable pension provider. If anyone has any idea how to get out of the quagmire I wiould appreciate any help. As any FYI, as the funds were put into an annuity account, no investment has happened since my 75 birthday and the pot is at the same amount, no increase over the past 11 months. Total ineptitude by Scottish Widows. Read more Read less

I had a pension pot that I wanted to cash in. Customer service promised 10 days. I waited. I then checked into see what was... I had a pension pot that I wanted to cash in. Customer service promised 10 days. I waited. I then checked into see what was happening but hey computer said no. They blamed HMRC. I checked it was a lie. Then letter n the post. Another lie. I found a Scottish Widows complains of platform on FB that save my sanity . Do not believe the 5 starsreviews on trust Pilot they are misleading. Look at the 1 star first and then make a decision. Read more Read less

Everything was a struggle. Two GDPR breaches. Still pending information on why the plan performance was so dire.

I have been in dispute with Scottish Widows since 2020 over the extremely poor performance and management of the company Pension fund in relation to... I have been in dispute with Scottish Widows since 2020 over the extremely poor performance and management of the company Pension fund in relation to other pensions over a similar period. If you have a Company pension scheme with Scottish Widows, I strongly suggest you ask some questions on the performance, carry out a performance review plus administration charges soon. To Give you an idea, my pension pot bombed by nearly £20k in 2 years. From experience, the pension pot is moved to a safer “lifestyle” policy, these are a “bonds” based investment which have also bombed. Scottish Widows, when you look into the scheme are “Advisors, Administrators ” and Trustees”. (How that works I do not know) all taking a fee from your pension pot one assumes. Scottish Widows will not reveal what these charges are which depletes your pension pot. Be assured your pension needs to perform well, it will not be long before Pensions are means tested. There is a Scottish Widows Complaints Platform set up on Facebook which highlights issues others have had and some guidance. Do not be “fobbed off” by “it’s the markets” Read more Read less

Took 2. 1/2 years to be paid out after many requests for verifications that had already been sent more than once. No communication between departments.... Took 2. 1/2 years to be paid out after many requests for verifications that had already been sent more than once. No communication between departments. Agreed to Omnibuds an term and still did not pay on time. Read more Read less

My husband passed away 2 weeks ago, he had life insurance with Scottish Widows and they dealt with the claim within days. I think it... My husband passed away 2 weeks ago, he had life insurance with Scottish Widows and they dealt with the claim within days. I think it was Heather I spoke to at the claims department and she couldn't have been any nicer. At last, a company who knows how to treat their customers! Read more Read less

Easy set up and easy to understand. All broken down. Areas explained and covered

I'm unable to now review my savings! I now have to phone up to check my balence.

I totally agree with Rob and Dave. I first wrote over a year ago to Scottish widows and have yet to have them engage with... I totally agree with Rob and Dave. I first wrote over a year ago to Scottish widows and have yet to have them engage with me and implement the financial ombudsman decision which should have been done by 24/11/23. They simply sit on customer money and profit from it. I can only suggest get your MP to make them accountable. Read more Read less