Aviva Pension www.aviva.co.uk Reviews
Summary
Norwich Union pensions are now known as Aviva pensions in the UK.
Media Gallery for Aviva Pension www.aviva.co.uk
Latest Reviews
★★☆☆☆
“Cannot switch pension allocation online”
Written on: 01/04/2013
As far as I can tell, after chasing around in circles on their web site for a little while, there is no way to switch fund allocation of an existing pension fund online. This is not a problem with my other pension provider (L&G). (read more)
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★★☆☆☆
“Annuity purchase by me”
Written on: 23/10/2012 by CharlieParker (1 review written)
Best points were Aviva quote best at my retirement date . Information received from them leading up to my due date had many mistakes including them sending all my personal information to the wrong financial adviser, no apology. Worst thing about Aviva is the way they use the post code to there advantage, they used my postcode for my quote, fine but using my wife's mothers post code who lives less than 2 miles away I could get £84 a year more As they pay out more based on life expectancy,am... (read more)
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★☆☆☆☆
“Long delays in responding to problems with pension tracker”
Written on: 16/10/2012 by butlerd (2 reviews written)
Have been unable to access my pension through Aviva's online pension tracker for over 2 months. Their IT department seem unable to even replicate the problem at their end. I have now escalated my original query to a complaint - have not heard back from them for over 2 weeks. Unfortunately I have a company stakeholder with them and I am not allowed to move to another provider. I also have a Sipp with Hargreaves Lansdown and they are miles better. I have no idea why people think Aviva is a... (read more)
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★☆☆☆☆
“NIGHTMARE HORROR WASTE OF TIME”
Written on: 27/07/2012 by Hayri
I have been experiencing a nightmare with AVIVA as I have tried to sort out their mistakes regarding the pesnion scheme. When I started working at my current company, I had a problem with sorting out mischarges regarding ex-employee’s pension scheme. I thought that it was one off and exceptional incident. Now we have pension scheme with AVIVA for 6 of us and error on 3 people’s scheme and I managed to get rectified for 2 before AVIVA took the money. Although on the paper they amended... (read more)
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★☆☆☆☆
“Deferring Pensions after 75”
Written on: 24/07/2012
I wished to defer my pension beyond 75 as announced by HM Treasury in the Budget of June 2010. The total ignorance of the staff to this possibility was staggering. Their call centre staff could not answer basic questions. They were all of the opinion that an annuity must be purchased before reaching 75 years of age. Despite referral to higher levels of management and Treasury publications they seemed unaware of the possibility of deferring pensions beyond 75 or using draw down. I will... (read more)
Visit aviva.co.ukWhackett's Comment
Written on: 14/03/2013
having the same problem with aegon contacted them for a deferral
form, on reciept it says cannot be deferred beyond my 75th birthday
I thought the government had changed this!! I must be wrong.!!!!!
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Jjj123789's Comment
Written on: 14/03/2013
You are correct!!!! My IFA said that some major companies have not created a drawdown product and will do anything to convince customers to take an annuity, giving them a high return. I went to LV= through my IFA and have received excellent service so far. The FSA should act to ensure customers are given correct information.
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★★★★☆
“Good service and reliable ”
Written on: 12/05/2012
Can't complain got a quote which was better than others (read more)
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★☆☆☆☆
“Poor returns. AVOID IF POSSIBLE! ”
Written on: 04/05/2012
I invested in a Norwich Union With Profit Income Bond in 2008 as it was know back then and to begin with the bond payed a very good income but more recently the bond has stagnated paying a pittence while AVIVA continue to take their yearly harge from my investment. Can't wait until I cash in the bond! (read more)
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★☆☆☆☆
“Big problems getting pension paid”
Written on: 05/04/2012
My acceptance forms and all requested id were sent in plenty of time to avoid pension payment being delayed, they even acknowleged receipt of it. They contacted me by phone about five days before payment date to confirm that it will be set up and paid. The date which it should have been paid according to my policy and Aviva, has passed. I have spent hours on the phone to Aviva sent letters of complaint. They have given me reasons that turned out to be untrue. Still no pension... (read more)
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★☆☆☆☆
“JUST A NIGHTMARE ”
Written on: 28/03/2012 by JimB123 (1 review written)
I Cashed in 3 polices that were with Aviva as there performance was just dreadful. I moved them into a SIPP and that is were the nightmare started. I can't tell you how bad Aviva are, my experience with them is they don't give a dam about policy holders,they are incompetent, slow, put every obstacle in your way, make huge mistakes which affect you not them. Do not place money with them, its ok when they are taking your money but thats were it ends. I have been fighting them now for 27 months... (read more)
Visit aviva.co.ukGuest's Response to JimB123's Review
Written on: 15/07/2012
Pension share pickup, rare as it may be, is never free money. Like any other emmpeylont benefit, including health insurance and the employer's share of our PERS contributions, it's paid for with funds that the employer would otherwise be able to pay directly to the employee. Salaries and benefits both fall under the budget line item labeled personnel cost. Don't let the smoke and mirrors distract you. None of these benefits is a taxpayer ripoff. All are part of what we're paid to serve the public. To put it bluntly, that's our own money, folks.
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Guest's Response to JimB123's Review
Written on: 02/08/2012
My personal recommendations is for you to go and complain to Financial Ombudsman Service London. Collect and give all the faccts to them.
You can write an email to
complaint.info@financial-omudsman.org.uk
Also, there is Pension Omudsman and Consumer Which magazine that you can approach. Find contact details using Google search for these sites.
Best of Luck
Hope you find the right solution and justice for your compaint.
Yogi Vedd
yogivedd at inbox.com
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★☆☆☆☆
“Appalling performance of 'with-profits' product”
Written on: 27/03/2012 by chromehorse99 (1 review written)
Bought an endowment policy in 1992. Early years bonuses were reasonable, but, like Ponzi scheme it's all collapsed in recent years. Latest 'Bonus' is 0.5% on previous bonuses - no % on sum assured. I am paying in over £1500 pa to a product that had a bonus of £87 last year. I am tied in because of their 'mortgage endowment promise' whgich is in itself a pig in a poke. DON'T BUY AVIVA PRODUCTS!!! (read more)
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See next 10 reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 19 Reviews
★☆☆☆☆
“Administrative shambles”
Written on: 13/12/2011 by mardes
My policy matured. I got a flurry of duplicate letters asking for the same information I had already sent. I phoned to query the payout figure -clearly £3000 short. Told I would be phoned back in 48 hopurs. Didnt happen. Phoned again. Told to wait another 48 hours. The call centre staff cannot answer ordinary questions although it is clearly on their screen. Excusing other staff "E-mail sent to wrong department", "Asked a colleague. It does look wrong". " Have to talk to person... (read more)
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★☆☆☆☆
“NORWICH TRANSFER PLAN 32 now AVIVA 1987”
Written on: 07/09/2011
Invested £ 13700 in 1986 with a projection of a pension between 18800 to 25000 per annum in 2011. Actual value of pension offered in 2011 £3740 per annum, not even 20% of the lower original figure promised? How do you come to this? Simple between 2001 and 2011 (ten years)not one penny was added to the capital, no interest no bonus nothing. Do I need to say more. Put your money with AVIVA I am sure the management will thank you everytime they get their end of the year bonus. (read more)
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★☆☆☆☆
“Took out a 'with profits policy in 2000 and put...”
Written on: 17/01/2011 by markaylott (6 reviews written)
Took out a 'with profits policy in 2000 and put £40,000 into it on the advice of a 'financial adviser'. After a few years this policy stopped paying out any bonus at all and when i enquired why was told that because of the economic climate ( where have i heard that before). I asked that i could take my money out as it was paying no interest at all only to be told that there would be a massive penalty for doing this , but after 10 years i could do this with no penalty , so i decided that i... (read more)
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★☆☆☆☆
“Never invest with Aviva! The value of my pension fund...”
Written on: 04/10/2009
Never invest with Aviva! The value of my pension fund has dropped year on year despite the current economic problems With constant changes in terminology and meddling by the government it's almost impossible to keep on top of it. I'm currently battling with Aviva to get my contributions back so I can invest in an ISA but of course now they have my money they are wriggling like crazy to keep it. Consumers should have the right to a complete refund if they decide a personal pension plan... (read more)
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★☆☆☆☆
“Over 30 years ago I transferred my ex work's pension...”
Written on: 21/09/2009
Over 30 years ago I transferred my ex work's pension to Norwich Union using Plan32 .To quote "Pretty Women" "BIG ,BIG MISTAKE ,HUGE".Having paid for the privilege of transfer and 25 years of totally useless bonus statements I am now getting less then I would if i had not transferred and with no index linking which my original pension had Norwich Union/Aviva (read more)
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★☆☆☆☆
“I have an Investment Bond with Norwich Union. Sure it...”
Written on: 05/12/2008 by sandell
I have an Investment Bond with Norwich Union. Sure it grew in value and I'm not complaining about that. Just wanted to warn everyone that if you want to make a withdrawal, be prepared to wait. After 2 months of being on the phone 3 times a week and numerous letters I am still waiting for my money. Maybe their Pension Plans and customer service are better. (read more)
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★☆☆☆☆
“Norwich Union Pension - A £20,000 lump sum invested in...”
Written on: 15/01/2008 by DMONKMAN (1 review written)
Norwich Union Pension - A £20,000 lump sum invested in March 1999 has only grown to £30168 in 9 years - that's an average increase of only 4.7% a year and includes a final bonus of £900. Being self employed, I have a number of other policies (thank Goodness), but this return from a Norwich Union with profits plan is pathetic when compared to some other providers (for example the Pru). (read more)
Visit aviva.co.ukDebra36's Response to DMONKMAN's Review
Written on: 12/12/2008
Well it's possible that you have had a poor return because you have been paying for a unmanaged product even though there is an anuual charge on your product.<br/>
If you had paid an investment specialist to actively manage your fund you might have seen far better returns.
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★☆☆☆☆
“I agree with the first review. Given the regular...”
Written on: 15/01/2008
I agree with the first review. Given the regular inputs, and the fact that on most of those contributions 40% tax was added, its amazing that in 07-08, the net increase on a 25k plan value was £150. Stick your money in property not pensions. (read more)
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★★★★★
“Ok, been self employed since 1976. In 1988 took...”
Written on: 27/11/2003 by AWG (48 reviews written)
Ok, been self employed since 1976. In 1988 took Accountant's advice (before new FSA regulations came in) to open a Private Pension. My wife did the same in the mid-90s with Scottish Amicable. Now we are just small self-employed people and between us saved a couple of hundred pounds or so a month towards retirement. In early 2003 we realised that our Pension Funds were not making anything, because of low interest rates (when I first started with the Norwich it gave an 'assumed growth' of 14%... (read more)
Visit aviva.co.ukAwg's Response to AWG's Review
Written on: 28/11/2003
Follow up from AWG. By coincidence, the day after making this review and it being approved I received a letter from: Retirement Pension Forecasting Team, The Pension Service, Whitley Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne. This obviously is an attempt by Government to get people into providing for themselves before it's too late. If I were 11 years older and entitled to State Pension I'd receive £82.23p. per week. Thanks a lot!! Also enclosed was a booklet "Pensions for the Self Employed - Your Guide". This is encouraging people to save for retirement either via a Stakeholder or Personal Pension Scheme. Well you've seen what our Personal Pension Scheme has returned - so I'll let you make up your own mind! Ok, we all need to do SOMETHING. We have invested in prime rental property which will give us a reasonable retirement pot. But isn't it about time that Great Britain FACED UP to the fact that to provide a real State Pension like many European Countries, that retired people can live on in dignity, - a proper level of taxation must be applied across the board whether the electorate likes it or not? Labour has realised we need to PAY for a proper Health Service (although where the extra revenue will go I dread to think!), - so how about also facing up to the Pensions crisis? I've said all I'm going to say now, and I welcome intelligent debate within this site.
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Dareag's Response to AWG's Review
Written on: 03/02/2004
I agree with the review about a small contribution to a fund being useless.
<br>It would nice to find the best available alternative.
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Awg's Response to AWG's Review
Written on: 12/11/2004
Well, the property investment venture worked out for us. We bought in 2000 and sold in July 2004 actually doubling our money, so I guess that made up for the disappointment of Private Pensions.
<br>
<br>It is now November 2004 and I'd advise putting large sums into Mutual Building Society time locked Bonds. Also Premium Bonds DO give a return on reasonable investments of say £8,000 or over. Otherwise go for one of these regular savings plans that pay you around 7% per annum at time of this posting. But if you are of pre-1965 vintage, unless you are loaded, beware Private Pension funds.
<br>
<br>Happy Saving!
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185720_Alanp's Response to AWG's Review
Written on: 18/03/2005
When the company decided to open a pension scheme I was delighted. The scheme was with NU and they advised that I transfer my existing pension schemes into the NU, which I did. As a 52 year old (at that time) I also contributed vast amounts in during the first year to build up the pension fund. To my dismay the amount in the fund reduced by over 14,000 pounds in the first year (2002). NU claimed it was because I had invested in the poor performing areas of their portfolio. So I changed to a less riskier fund and reduced my investment to the same amount as my company invests (3% of salary) which is not much. In the meantime I have now invested in property and shares. The rises in property values have far outstripped any other investment. My point is how come NU allow poor performing funds to continue thus losing it's investors vast sums?. Because of the bad peformance by NU, my company is in the process of changing from NU to another pension company but lets face it, who cares - it seems to me that all pension funds are a complete waste of time and cause emense stress and hassle. I feel that there are safer ways to invest your money where one can maintain control. So when planning for a dignified retirement, research the market and above all, think of number one because none of this lot will.
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192591_Rfm's Response to AWG's Review
Written on: 09/05/2005
I too have been subject to Norwich Unions bungling mis-management of funds, being led to believe in 1987 that I would be as they said in their advert "better off the Norwich Way" .. I would have been better off putting my money on a 3 legged horse, money by the way which represented 20 years of pension subscriptions, I am absolutely disgusted with the way I have been treated by this company, they don't give a toss about your hard earned money, I bet the executives are not treated in the way their customers are. As it is young people have got their heads screwed on a bit better than I had, I who can blame them for keeping clear of pension companies...my advice to anyone remotely thinking of taking out a pension with NU...is TELL THEM TO STICK THEIR PENSION PLAN.
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Zalukha's Response to CharlieParker's Review
Written on: 10/12/2012
You are quite angry and you should be. They seem really careless.