Write a review

Standard Life: Pensions reviews

Name: Pensions
Rating: 2.31 (59 reviews)

View other Standard Life products

2.39

Based on 59 reviews, last reviewed 13th Dec 2024

No new 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

No new 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

19%

12%

10%

54%

Latest highest rating:

5

Standard Life were straight forward. Buying an annuity from Standard Life was straight forward and everything went smoothly. They transferred me to Hub Financial Solutions to complete th... Read more Reviewed on: 13th December 2024

Latest lowest rating:

2

What on earth has happened to Standard Life Chris Canham Write a review Reviews 3.6 949 total 5-star 43% 4-star 5% 3-star 3% 2-star 5% 1-star 44% Sort: Chris Canham 61 reviews R... Read more Reviewed on: 25th October 2024

Read all reviews See your review

About this product

Standard Life pension reviews written by Smart Money People like you. For many of us, our pension is an important part of our financial future. Finding a pension provider that you can trust and rely on is a must for many people. Take a look at our Standard Life pension reviews to find out what life at Standard Life is really like. If you hold this pension, we'd love you to write an honest review here too!

Standard Life Pensions reviews (59)

Review of the Standard Life, Pensions:

Standard Life were straight forward.

Buying an annuity from Standard Life was straight forward and everything went smoothly. They transferred me to Hub Financial Solutions to complete the transaction and they were very professional too. I also had a pension, (and now an annuity) with Aviva, who were poor in comparison to Standard Life. Reviewed on: 13th December 2024

Reliable and good performance over the years

My pensions with Standard Life have performed at least as well as the market average over the years and the service I have received has always been excellent Reviewed on: 9th February 2020

Do t trust this company

Took growth by charging unreasonable fees. Did not follow instructions made when requested to pull out took almost 1 year. No growth over 5 years ..... Reviewed on: 8th January 2020

Easy to use

It is really easy to use their systems to get real time information on my pension. I can easily see investment growth as well as break down of contributions. The best bit is however, being able to update my details online by myself. Reviewed on: 15th April 2019

Poor returns and forced down an expensive route I don't want.

I stopped putting pension money into SL when I came to appreciate they set up individual polices for each and every contribution - 30 years gives you 30 separate plans that attract 'management fees'. As I approach retirement, the money I did put in has not grown much. Only one fifth of the growth I achieved through other schemes. Now I want to withdraw some money, I'm told the entire pension scheme will be folded - I thought you could withdraw 25% tax free and leave the rest in the Pension Plan - not so with Standard Life. They insist you buy into one of their other schemes. I just looked at the costs - Threadneedle charge 0.75% management fee - Standard Life Threadneedle attracts 2.25% management fees.......they cash in on you - worst investment I ever made. Reviewed on: 25th July 2018

Excellent long term performance

Long term performance is excellent and exceeded projections given when I took out the policy. Great communications and website. Reviewed on: 5th July 2017

Easy to monitor online

I don't have much use for servicing the pension as I just leave it to do its thing. The online service is useful to track progress and customer service is friendly and efficient. Reviewed on: 4th July 2017

Customer service not helpful but product seems fine

I have an occupational pension with Standard Life and when I was leaving my job, I inquired about being able to continue with my own contributions. I found that customer service through emailing on the website were not very helpful at the time, but when I phoned some time later, the service on the call was good. You get sent annual statements to show how your product is performing, which is helpful. Reviewed on: 4th July 2017

Plain Pensions

I have had my pension with Standard Life since my company asked me to join about 15 years ago. Since then I have taken voluntary redundancy and now I am self employed. I have been carefully advised, helped and looked after by them since then, and I have a nice little package which will suit me well when I retire or even, should I wish, when I reach 55, so I can take a small lump sum. I think their customer service is always friendly and helpful and thoughtful too. Reviewed on: 19th June 2017

Cash Lump Sum

Requested tax free lump sum on 4th February 2017. Sent in paperwork by registered post on that day. Following many letters back and forth , rang today to find out they cannot find my file!! Just spent 90 mins on the phone going over everything again. Very poor customer service indeed. Reviewed on: 8th May 2017

I would not recommend.

All I want to do is take out some money from my pension. Their website says "its easy to withdraw from your pension". Not its not. Having spoken to an advisor for 45 minutes I was then told I would have to speak to another advisor for an hour, possibly longer. The questions asked are far too personal. Their opening hours are 9am to 5pm Mon to Friday, not a lot of good if you work 8.30am to 5.30pm and only have 45 minutes for lunch when they make you wait 20 minutes before answering your call. Shocking customer service. They make it very complicated to remove your own money from your own pension and having read other on line reviews on Standard Life I wish I had gone elsewhere. Reviewed on: 17th January 2017

Do you have a different Standard Life 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

There's still more to see!

Standard Life has a range of products available. Check the ratings of each product to find the right one for you. View all products

Join Smart Money People

Keep up to date on ratings of your favourite businesses. Find out about our awards and write new reviews with ease

Create an account

News, guides and insight from our team

View resource hub