Figure out investing

Are your pension investments right for you?

When you know how much risk your investments have, you can decide if they're the right fit for you. Are you willing to take more risk for a potentially higher return?

Understanding investing

Take a quick, uncomplicated look at how pension funds can work for you.

How pensions invest

Your pension invests your money in funds. These can have different levels of risk. But this can also mean they can offer different levels of potential reward. When you understand how this works, you can make choices about how your pension invests.

Three factors to think about:
Risk   Reward   Timing 
Investing involves risk. This means you might end up with less rather than more money. Investing always involves some risk. But how much risk do you take? VS The riskier an investment, the more it can potentially grow over time. But higher risk investments tend to move up and down in value more than lower risk investments. VS Lower risk funds might be a better short term option (say ten years or less) because they tend to move up and down in value less than higher risk funds. Higher risk funds might be better if you’re investing for longer. Even with lower risk investments, you could end up with less than you put in.
How different risk/reward funds perform

This graph shows you how funds with different levels of risk and reward might perform. It’s not based on actual investments, but aims to show you, broadly, how different funds may behave.

 

Lower risk funds

This is an example of a lower risk fund. It doesn’t have as much potential for growth as a higher risk fund. Its value doesn’t move up and down as much, or as often.

 

Higher risk funds

This is an example of a higher risk fund. Over time, it has more potential for growth than a lower risk fund. Its value tends to move up and down more. Also higher risk funds are more likely to make riskier investments. So, they’re more likely to lose you money.

Past performance doesn't mean funds will perform that way in the future. You may get back less than you put in.

Get comfortable with how your pension invests

Find out how your pension invests

Find out how your pension invests

You can see how your pension invests in your last Annual Benefit Statement.

Think about changing investments if they’re not right for you

Think about changing investments if they’re not right for you

If you want to change your investments, please call us and we can send you our investment guide. It’s a very good idea to get financial advice if you want to change your investments.

 

Have your plan or policy number ready and call us.

Scottish Widows or Lloyds pension: 0345 835 6644

Halifax pension: 0345 835 6645

Clerical Medical pension: 0345 835 6646

 

  • You can find your plan number on your Annual Benefit Statement or on any letters from us. If you use our secure online services, you can find your plan number there as well.

    Can't find it?

    Don’t worry if you haven’t got your plan (or policy) number to hand. We can help recover it over the phone. Call us.

    Scottish Widows or Lloyds pension: 0345 835 6644

    Halifax pension: 0345 835 6645

    Clerical Medical pension: 0345 835 6646

Get advice about investing

Get advice about investing

Not everyone feels confident about investment decisions. If you want help, get in touch and we can tell you how to get professional financial advice, if this is what you need. If you want advice, there will normally be a charge for this.

Scottish Widows or Lloyds pension:
0345 835 6644

Halifax pension:
0345 835 6645

Clerical Medical pension:
0345 835 6646

Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

How to find out more

How to find out more

You can find out more about investing by reading our helpful guide.

Funds & Investing in a Nutshell

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