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NEST pension fees and charges

Last verified: Q2 2026 · Source: provider fee page

Direct answer: NEST charges 0.3% AMC + 1.8% contribution charge on every contribution. On a £100,000 pot that is £300/year in annual provider/platform fee, and on a £500,000 pot it is £1,500/year. Fund charges and product-specific caveats may apply.

Fee model
0.3% AMC + 1.8% contribution charge on every contribution
AMC + contribution charge · No direct SIPP · Workplace available
Annual representative charge by pot size
£25,000 pot
£75/yr
0.30% effective
£50,000 pot
£150/yr
0.30% effective
£100,000 pot
£300/yr
0.30% effective
£250,000 pot
£750/yr
0.30% effective
£500,000 pot
£1,500/yr
0.30% effective
£1,000,000 pot
£3,000/yr
0.30% effective
Representative provider/platform charge. Fund charges and adviser charges may be additional unless the provider note says they are included: Included in the 0.3% AMC
Note: Fees shown reflect the 0.3% AMC only and do not include the 1.8% charge levied on each contribution. The contribution charge significantly increases the true cost during the accumulation phase. See our NEST fee calculator for the combined impact.

NEST is the UK government's default auto-enrolment scheme — the largest workplace pension by membership with over 12 million members. The 0.3% AMC is competitive, but the 1.8% contribution charge is unusual and adds up over decades. For every £100 you contribute, £98.20 enters your pot after the contribution charge. NEST was designed as a safety-net scheme for employers who do not choose their own provider, and it serves that purpose with a simple charging structure. Savers who have left an employer often compare NEST with lower-cost pensions, while active members need to factor in employer contributions before changing anything.

Strengths
  • +Government-backed — cannot fail
  • +Competitive 0.3% AMC
  • +Free transfers out
  • +Ethical fund option
Limitations
  • –1.8% contribution charge on every payment in
  • –Very limited fund choice
  • –No self-directed investing
  • –Designed as default, not optimised for engaged savers
Details
Fund range5 fund choices (retirement date funds, ethical, Sharia, higher risk, lower growth)
Minimum investmentNo minimum (auto-enrolment)
Typical fund OCFIncluded in the 0.3% AMC
SIPP/direct pensionNo direct SIPP
Compare NEST pension fees with
NEST vs VanguardNEST vs PensionBee
NEST pension fees FAQ

What are NEST pension charges in 2026?

NEST's representative published charging model is: 0.3% AMC + 1.8% contribution charge on every contribution. The figures on this page show provider/platform/admin charges by pot size. Fund charges, adviser charges, workplace terms and product-specific charges may differ, so check the provider fee schedule before acting.

All providers
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Things to consider
  • •Fees shown are representative provider, platform or admin charges. Some rows are platform/admin fees only; Royal London's Governed Range AMC includes Royal London fund management.
  • •Fee structures change without notice. Always verify the current fee on the provider's website before making any decision.
  • •The lowest headline fee is only one comparison point. Fund range, service, platform features, investment choice, adviser access, and product restrictions also matter.
  • •Transferring a pension may involve exit fees, loss of guaranteed benefits, or loss of employer contributions. Check before you transfer.
  • •This page is factual information based on published fee schedules, not a recommendation to use or avoid any provider.
  • •For personal recommendations, speak to an FCA-regulated financial adviser and check the FCA register.
This provider comparison is general information based on published charge schedules, not financial advice or a personal recommendation. Verify current fees and product terms with the provider and check FCA authorisation before acting.