Crown Group Personal Pension

Workplace Pensions form an important part of retirement savings planning, serving as a crucial financial lifeline in our golden years. However, with the cost of living crisis and the constant fluctuations in global affairs, life has become increasingly expensive. It is imperative, therefore, that we take proactive steps to ensure we are saving enough to maintain our current standards of living during retirement.

Within this webpage, you will discover content that you can peruse at your own leisure. We understand that every individual has unique needs and requirements when it comes to retirement planning. If there is any specific content that you would like to access but cannot currently find, please do not hesitate to reach out to your HR team or complete the contact form below. Should you wish to seek more information on individual Financial Planning services, please contact Bowmore Financial Planning Ltd directly at 01275 462 469 or enquiries@bowmorefp.com.

INTRODUCTION TO AVIVA

Your current Workplace Pension provider is Aviva, a highly reputable and trusted company that specialises in providing a wide range of comprehensive pension solutions. With a strong commitment to supporting both employers and employees, Aviva offers tailored pension plans that meet the unique needs and goals of each individual.

One of the key advantages of your Workplace Pension is that it is a Group Personal Pension. This means that you have the opportunity to build up a personal pension pot, allowing you to take control of your retirement savings. With the flexibility to administer your pension as and when you desire, you have the freedom to make decisions that align with your financial objectives and circumstances.

Not only does Aviva empower you to manage your pension, but they also provide a diverse selection of investment options. With access to funds from approximately 30 fund management houses, such as Abrdn, Jupiter and Schroders, you can select investments that align with your risk tolerance and financial goals. This allows you to create a well-diversified portfolio that has the potential to generate attractive returns over the long term. However, please remember your investments can go up as well as down. For those who do not wish to personally select their investments, Crown have selected a default investment option where your pension contributions are automatically invested each month in the chosen arrangement. You can find out more on this default investment arrangement by viewing the newsletter provided.

To make managing your Workplace Pension even more convenient, Aviva offers both a user-friendly online platform and a dedicated mobile app which we recommend you download.

With Aviva as your Workplace Pension Provider, you can have confidence in the security and reliability of your pension plan. Their commitment to providing flexible retirement and investment options ensures that you have the tools and resources needed to build a financially secure future. Please refer to the Topics of Focus section and downloadable Newsletter for more information.

As you approach retirement, it is important to consider how your income will change and adapt to your future plans. It is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of your workplace pension, State Pension entitlements, and any other potential sources of income well in advance of your retirement date.

Preparation is the key to a successful retirement!

However, when you begin delving into the realm of pensions, you may find yourself overwhelmed by a sea of unfamiliar jargon and terminology. It is not uncommon to encounter terms that you have never come across before, leaving you feeling confused and unsure. Aviva recognises this challenge, and has put together explanations about some of the information you may come across.

Click here to be directed to Aviva's Pension Jargon Buster.

The Retirement Living Standards organisation, established by the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA), provides clear benchmarks to help people understand how much they need to save for retirement. The standards outline three levels of retirement lifestyles based on annual income needs.

Minimum
Moderate
Comfortable

These categories consider typical living expenses such as housing, transportation, food, and leisure activities, offering a practical framework for individuals to plan and save according to their desired standard of living in retirement. The goal is to simplify retirement planning and increase financial awareness.

Click here to visit The Retirement Living Standards Website and find out more!

THE NEW STATE PENSION

Stay up to date with what benefits you are entitled to from the Government, specifically in relation to the State Pension. The 'New' State Pension is what is currently in place and will be relevant to you if you're a man born on or after 6th April 1951, or a woman born or or after 6th April 1953. If you reached State Pension age before 6th April 2016, these rules do not apply. Instead you'll get the basic State Pension.

You'll be eligible for the full amount of the New State Pension if you have 35 qualifying years of paying National Insurance contributions. If you have paid between 10 and 35 years worth of National Insurance contributions then you may be entitled to a proportion of the new State Pension. To view how much State Pension you could get, when you can get it and how to increase it (if you do not have the full 35 qualifying years) you can check your State Pension Forecast on the GOV.UK website here.

The full State Pension from 6th April 2025 is £230.25 a week, rising from £221.20 for the 2024/25 tax year . If you reached State Pension age before 6th April 2016, you'll get a different amount under the Basic State Pension rules.

RETIREMENT PLANNING AND PERSONALISED ADVICE

For more details on how you can maximise your pension and retirement planning, Bowmore Financial Planning Ltd offer a no-cost discovery meeting with one of our Chartered Financial Planners to determine if our services will be beneficial based on your circumstances and needs.

If professional financial planning is then agreed upon, the cost for our services will be clearly laid out prior to any actions undertaken.

To find out more about Bowmore Financial Planning Ltd you can visit our website at www.bowmorefp.com, or to enquire about our services, please contact Bowmore via the below:

Phone: 01275 462 469

Email: Enquiries@bowmorefp.com

Post: Farleigh House, Farleigh Court, Old Weston Road, Flax Bourton, Bristol BS48 1UR