Welcome to Smart Pension
This page is for all members of Crystal who are moving into Smart Pension
About Smart Pension
We’re one of the UK’s largest workplace pension providers, authorised and supervised by The Pensions Regulator – your money is safe with us. You can read our member guide for more information about your pension.
We help 1 million+ people save for their future
We support 70,000+ employers
We look after £3 billion+ of our members' savings
Your new membership benefits
Smart Pension app
You can use the app to manage your retirement savings wherever you go and whenever you like.
Smart Rewards
A free benefit with over 1,200 rewards, helping you to save an average of up to £400* a year in discounts at major retailers across the UK.
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Financial wellbeing
Meaningful financial support about all your finances, not just your pension. Our hub is full of money saving tips, tools and techniques.
Financial coaching
It’s important for you to feel comfortable with all areas of your financial wellbeing, so we’ve partnered with Octopus Money.
Ask Alexa or Google
You can ask Alexa or Google Home how much your pension is worth, or how to increase your contributions.
Customer service
Through our contact centre and virtual assistant avatar, SAVA, we can respond to your pension questions 24/7.
*Source: Smart Pension / Office of National Statistics.
Wide range of investment options
We’re proud to offer a Shariah fund and a Fossil Fuel Free fund. Take a look at our investment guide, which explains all the options.
Tackling climate change is very important to us. Find out more about sustainable investing.
Explore your retirement options
If you’re close to retirement age, you may want to start thinking about how you’ll take your money. We have a wide range of options to suit everyone. Read our retirement options guide.
We offer Smart Retire, an online retirement account that can be used to flexibly manage your retirement income. Find out more about Smart Retire.
Boost your retirement savings
Our unique online tool enables you to find any retirement savings you've lost or forgotten about. You could then also boost your retirement savings by combining all your old pensions into one, or making a single contribution whenever it suits you.
Watch our annual member webinar
We know pensions can be complicated and want to help you understand your pension. You can hear about how we’re managing and investing your retirement savings and get tips and tricks on getting one step closer to your retirement goals.
Watch nowWhat happens next?
We’re working together to keep you informed, so over the coming weeks and months you’ll continue to receive communications from both Crystal and Smart Pension.
Frequently asked questions
Why is this change happening?
The sponsor to Crystal, Evolve, has been bought by Smart Pension with a view to transferring Crystal’s members to the Smart Pension Master Trust. The Crystal Trustee has undertaken an in depth due diligence exercise and agrees this is a positive move with an opportunity for greater value for money and access to state of the art member tools, financial wellbeing support and member rewards.
What communications have been sent so far?
The sponsor to Crystal, Evolve, has sent the following communication(s):
Will I still be able to access my retirement savings before the transfer to Smart Pension?
Yes, up until a short period of time before the transfer of your retirement savings, Crystal will continue to run exactly as it does now. You’ll continue to have access to the usual support, including use of the online system evoLink. However, once we begin the process to transfer your retirement savings to Smart Pension you won’t be able to make changes to your retirement savings. We must receive any requests for changes or quotations before the 31 May 2024, after the transfer in July 2024 you’ll then be able to make changes through your Smart Pension account.
Will I still be able to access the member portal, evoLink?
Yes, evoLink will continue to be available until shortly before your retirement savings are transferred to Smart Pension. If you haven’t registered for evoLink you can still get access to all your information by signing up here.
Will I have to select an investment option when I transfer to Smart Pension?
No, Smart Pension will provide a default investment option, similar to the current Crystal default investment option. However, if you previously selected your Crystal investment fund, Smart Pension will write directly to you in May to give you an opportunity to review and select from the alternative Smart Pension investment options. You can find details here.
Will there be a change to the charges deducted from my retirement savings once I transfer to Smart Pension?
There’ll be no increase in the annual management charge deducted from your retirement savings when you move to Smart Pension.
If you’re currently in the Optess section of Crystal a contribution charge is currently applied, however, please note the sliding scale which operated from £0-£1.50 per contribution will be replaced by a flat £1.50 per contribution rate. Members in this section may see a small increase in their charges but please be assured the Trustee of SPMT will ensure value for members continues to be delivered.
If you’re currently in a section of Crystal which applies a £750 per annum cap to your charges this discount will no longer be available. Members with this discount will receive a specific communication confirming the change. Members should review their options and may wish to take relevant advice but please be assured that the Smart Retire charges are slightly less than the full price of the Crystal drawdown options and remain competitively placed against other similar products.
Where can I get some advice on my pension arrangements?
We are happy to support you with questions about the transition to Smart Pension but we, Evolve and Smart Pension, are not regulated to give you financial advice. If you require any advice, you should contact an independent financial adviser, click here for further guidance.
The UK government also offers free support to people over the age of 50 through MoneyHelper. You can find more information about this on their website at https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk.
Who can I contact if I have any questions about my retirement savings?
You can continue to contact Evolve Pensions on 01322 640530 (option 1) or by emailing penadmin@evolvepensions.co.uk.
Drawdown members only
Will there be any change to the drawdown options I currently have?
Yes, the options provided by Smart Pension are different to those you currently have access to via Crystal. Details will be included in future communications from Smart Pension and you will have plenty of time to consider and take relevant advice. Until then you’ll continue to receive your normal payments (if you receive these regularly) and can access your retirement savings in exactly the same way.
What communications have been sent so far?
The sponsor to Crystal, Evolve, has sent the following communication(s):
Will I have to choose a Smart Pension option before my retirement savings are moved from Crystal?
Over the coming months we’ll give you information about the Smart Pension options, you’ll have plenty of time to review your options and take any financial advice you require. Full details and support will be available to you well ahead of the transfer to Smart Pension.
I currently receive a monthly income from Crystal, will there be an option to continue receiving income after the transfer to Smart Pension?
Yes, there are options which will provide a monthly income once you transfer to Smart Pension. Full details will be provided in future communications from Smart Pension. Until then you’ll continue to receive your normal payments (if you receive these regularly) and can access your retirement savings in exactly the same way.
Will there be a charge applied to my retirement savings under Smart Pension?
Yes, just like with Crystal there’ll be a monthly charge applied to your retirement savings. This charge will depend on which option you transfer to. Full details of each option will be provided in future communications from Smart Pension.
If I receive a regular income from my Crystal drawdown option, will I have to notify my tax office of the change to Smart Pension?
No, Smart Pension and Crystal will notify the tax office of the change. You may receive a P45 from Crystal to confirm how much has been paid to you and the amount of tax deducted. This is perfectly normal and is just for your records.
Contact us
You can continue to contact Evolve Pensions on 01322 640530 (option 1) or by emailing penadmin@evolvepensions.co.uk.
If you have any questions about Smart Pension or how your new Smart Pension account will work, please use our contact us form.