Standard Life's (part of Phoenix Group) proposed acquisition of Aegon UK
If you’re reading this, then it's likely that you've recently received our letter about this and what it may mean for you. We know you may have questions, so below we've tried to answer some of these to help and support you at this initial stage.
What does this mean for me?
The reassuring news is that there are no immediate changes to investments held on either the Cofunds platform or Aegon’s newer Retirement Choices platform - everything will remain exactly as it is for the time being.
If you currently invest via the Cofunds platform, we’ve included a helpful guide to Aegon’s Retirement Choices platform for you to refer to explore. It outlines the features and benefits in more detail, and we hope you’ll find it helpful and of interest.
If you'd like to talk anything through or have any questions at all, please get in touch - we're always here to help.
Some questions you may have at the moment...
Are there potential benefits for investors?
Yes. We expect Standard Life’s greater scale and financial strength to bring benefits over time. The combined business will support millions of UK customers and manage significant long-term savings assets, providing strong financial backing and long-term stability.
Will there be a continued focus on retirement planning?
Both Standard Life and Aegon UK bring extensive experience in pensions, retirement income solutions, and long-term financial planning, helping to ensure a continued focus on supporting clients in achieving their retirement goals.
How about investment in technology and servicing?
The larger, combined business is likely to increase investment in their digital capabilities, platform enhancements, and customer servicing – helping to improve the overall experience for clients over time.
Will they remain committed to supporting advisers?
As both companies have long-established relationships with financial advisers and adviser platforms, we feel this should help ensure continued support for adviser-led services and the clients we serve.
Do I need to do anything at this stage?
No. Your plans and underlying investments will simply continue as normal. Rest assured that we’ll continue to closely monitor developments and keep you informed of any significant updates.
Where can I read more?
Standard Life's official announcement is available on their website. Simply click here: Announcements | Standard Life plc (Please note this link will take you away from our website to an external site, which may ask you to accept their own cookies or privacy settings.)
The Aegon Retirement Choices (ARC) platform
If you're currently investing via the Cofunds platform, please do take some time to review Aegon's guide to their Retirement Choices platform.
If anything isn't clear, or you'd like to discuss anything covered in more detail, then please do get in touch.