How life events can affect your pension
Some life events are like milestones, making it a good idea to review and perhaps update your contributions
If you are ill...
If you're under the age of 55, and you've been diagnosed with serious ill health then you might be able to take out some or all of your Smart Pension savings early. You may have to provide some medical evidence to support your claim in that situation, but your financial adviser can tell you more about this.
If you are ill...
If you're under the age of 55, and you've been diagnosed with serious ill health then you might be able to take out some or all of your Smart Pension savings early. You may have to provide some medical evidence to support your claim in that situation, but your financial adviser can tell you more about this.
If you are separating or divorcing...
Depending on where you live, there are different rules in play when it comes to looking at your pension in a divorce. If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland then the total value of your pension, and your partner’s pension, will be considered. In Scotland, only the money you’ve contributed to your pension during your marriage can be counted.
However, not all couples share their pensions when they get divorced. Sometimes, there’s an agreement that pensions won’t be considered in the division of assets.
If you’re in a situation where you’re considering a separation or divorce from your partner, it’s a good idea to get advice from an independent financial adviser about your pension.
If you are separating or divorcing...
Depending on where you live, there are different rules in play when it comes to looking at your pension in a divorce. If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland then the total value of your pension, and your partner’s pension, will be considered. In Scotland, only the money you’ve contributed to your pension during your marriage can be counted.
However, not all couples share their pensions when they get divorced. Sometimes, there’s an agreement that pensions won’t be considered in the division of assets.
If you’re in a situation where you’re considering a separation or divorce from your partner, it’s a good idea to get advice from an independent financial adviser about your pension.
If you are on maternity leave...
If you’re eligible for maternity pay, then you’ll still receive regular contributions to your pension from your employer. Maternity rights state that anyone on maternity leave must get the same benefits as they would if they were at work.
You won’t need to do anything. Your employer will pay those contributions in automatically – as long as you remain in the scheme, continue with your own contributions, and don’t opt-out.
If you are on maternity leave...
If you’re eligible for maternity pay, then you’ll still receive regular contributions to your pension from your employer. Maternity rights state that anyone on maternity leave must get the same benefits as they would if they were at work.
You won’t need to do anything. Your employer will pay those contributions in automatically – as long as you remain in the scheme, continue with your own contributions, and don’t opt-out.
Instant changes to your
pension savings
You won’t need to check in on your pension savings every day. They're designed to be a long-term investment. But if you do need or want to get an update, then the secure Smart Pension makes it easy to get that information straight away. There’s no need to make a phone call or to wait for a letter.
Our app will give you real time information about your pension savings. It puts your future into the palm of your hand.
Instant changes to your
pension savings
You won’t need to check in on your pension savings every day. They're designed to be a long-term investment. But if you do need or want to get an update, then the secure Smart Pension makes it easy to get that information straight away. There’s no need to make a phone call or to wait for a letter.
Our app will give you real time information about your pension savings. It puts your future into the palm of your hand.
Instant changes to your
pension savings
You won’t need to check in on your pension savings every day. They're designed to be a long-term investment. But if you do need or want to get an update, then the secure Smart Pension makes it easy to get that information straight away. There’s no need to make a phone call or to wait for a letter.
Our app will give you real time information about your pension savings. It puts your future into the palm of your hand.
Smart Pension's fund choices
Smart All Stocks Index - Linked Gilts Index Fund
Aims to track the return of the FTSE Actuaries British Government Index Linked All Stocks Index, which features UK government bonds with returns linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI).
Smart Annuity Fund
Aims to invest in a way which matches the broad characteristics of investments underlying the pricing of a typical non-inflation linked annuity.
Smart Cash Fund
Aims to maintain capital and provide a return in-line with money market rates by investing in a range of money market securities denominated in sterling.
Smart De-risking Fund
This fund has been created so that it will typically suit most of our members who are approaching their target retirement age and would like a lower level of volatility than the smart growth funds.
Smart Ethical Global Equity Index Fund
Aims to track a filtered index, which excludes companies that operate in industries that breach certain ethical criteria.
Smart Future Fund
This fund aims to replicate the asset allocation, performance and risk profile of our Smart Growth Moderate fund, whilst incorporating additionalscreening criteria that revalues the weighting of each investment depending on their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) score. It aims to limit the additional risks associated with ESG factors.
Smart Growth Fund - Higher Risk
This fund carries a higher risk of fluctuation to your savings but has the potential for high growth, though this is not guaranteed
Smart Growth Fund - Lower Risk
This fund carries the lowest risk of loss but also reduced likelihood of a high return, but it may be suitable if you are concerned about volatility.
Smart Growth Fund - Moderate Risk
This fund has been created so that it will typically suit most our members, it has the medium level of risk of these funds.
Smart Income Fund
Aims to provide long-term investment growth up to and during retirement, to facilitate the drawdown of retirement income.
Smart Lower Risk Fund
This fund has been created so that it will typically suit most of our members who are approaching their target retirement age and would like an even lower level of volatility than the smart growth funds and the de-risking fund.
Smart North America Equity Index Fund
Aims to track the return of the FTSE World North America Index, which provides broad exposure to companies in the North American equity market.
Smart Overseas Bond Index Fund - GBP Hedged
Aims to invest in different types of bonds, including corporate and government bonds both in the UK and overseas.
Smart Sharia Fund
Aims to create long term appreciation of capital through investment in a diversified portfolio of securities which meets Islamic investment principles.
Smart UK FTSE 100 Equity Index Fund
Aims to track the return of the FTSE 100 Index, which contains the largest listed companies on the UK stock market.
Smart World (ex UK) Developed Equity Index Fund
Aims to track the performance of the FTSE Developed (ex UK) Index, which provides broad exposure to large and mid-cap companies in the developed world, excluding the UK.
Smart World Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund
Aims to track the return of the FTSE All-World Emerging Index, which provides access to key emerging economies including Brazil, Russia, India and China.