Smart Pension launches new support service for savers approaching retirement

Monday, 18 May 2026, Smart Pension, one of the UK's largest pension funds, has launched a new guided retirement journey through its Smart Retire solution. This is designed to help savers prepare for their future, from the age of 45, and make informed decisions in the years leading up to retirement.

For many savers, their 40s and 50s are some of the most important years for shaping retirement outcomes, making earlier engagement increasingly important. The new experience combines digital planning tools, educational guidance and tailored human support into a joined-up journey that helps members move through retirement with greater confidence and flexibility.

At the centre of the launch is a new ‘Get retirement ready’ feature, available through the Smart Pension app and desktop portal for members aged 45 to 55. Using a simple checklist approach, the feature combines planning tools, educational resources and follow-up support to help savers take practical steps earlier, when there is still time to improve retirement outcomes. Alongside the digital journey, members aged 45 and above will also be able to access Smart Pension’s Retirement Support Team, combining digital guidance with more tailored human support where needed. Members will be able to speak to a specialist in under ten seconds. Real people helping them understand their options and take practical next steps.

This is a market-leading offering, as Smart Pension continues to invest in technology and AI to support its specialists and ensure members have quality human interactions with its Support Team, whilst the technology does the routine work. Instead of limiting support to a contact centre setting, members can book tailored telephone conversations at times that suit them, with discussions lasting as long as needed.

The launch builds on a series of retirement capabilities introduced by Smart Pension over the past year, including fully digital retirement claims, faster identity verification and expanded pension freedom options through the Smart Pension app and desktop portal.

While Smart Pension cannot provide advice, the retirement solution provides early guidance and support, actually helping members access their savings. With Smart Retire’s market-leading four-pot model, savers can start accessing their money, moving gradually from saving to spending while keeping their pension invested and taking an income. Later they can move to a guaranteed income if they want, providing security for the rest of their retirement. Smart Retire makes the transition into retirement flexible and straightforward. Savers get guidance, confidence, and real support as they start planning for retirement, while continuing to save for the future they want.

Andy Fergusson, Proposition Manager at Smart Pension said:

“A modern retirement is no longer a single moment at the end of someone’s career, which is why we are focused on helping savers engage with their pension in their 40s and 50s to support them through that journey. For many savers, these are the years where earnings may be higher, financial priorities begin to shift and retirement starts to feel more immediate, creating an important opportunity to review contributions, understand available tax benefits and make more informed long-term decisions. By combining practical digital tools with more tailored human support, through a dedicated retirement support team, we are helping savers approach retirement with greater confidence and a clearer understanding of their options.”

About Smart Pension

Launched in 2015, Smart Pension now exceeds £10bn in Assets Under Management (AUM) and serves over 2 million members and 100,000 employers. It is powered by Keystone, Smart’s global savings and investments technology platform.

Aquiline, Barclays, Chrysalis Investments, DWS Group, Fidelity InternationalStrategic Ventures, J.P. Morgan, Legal & General Investment Management, MUFG and Natixis Investment Managers are all investors in Smart Pension.