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Standard Life pension fees and charges

Last verified: Q2 2026 · Source: provider fee page

Direct answer: Standard Life charges 0.45% service charge + ~0.10% on the ready-made fund option (0.55% all-in). No dealing, switching, exit or transfer-in fees.. On a £100,000 pot that is £550/year in annual provider/platform fee, and on a £500,000 pot it is £2,750/year. Fund charges and product-specific caveats may apply.

Fee model
0.45% service charge + ~0.10% on the ready-made fund option (0.55% all-in). No dealing, switching, exit or transfer-in fees.
Flat percentage · SIPP available · Workplace available
Annual representative charge by pot size
£25,000 pot
£138/yr
0.55% effective
£50,000 pot
£275/yr
0.55% effective
£100,000 pot
£550/yr
0.55% effective
£250,000 pot
£1,375/yr
0.55% effective
£500,000 pot
£2,750/yr
0.55% effective
£1,000,000 pot
£5,500/yr
0.55% effective
Representative provider/platform charge. Fund charges and adviser charges may be additional unless the provider note says they are included: 0.10% (ready-made) up to ~1.5% (specialist funds)
Note: Headline figures are for the consumer Personal Pension (flat 0.45% service charge + ~0.10% ready-made fund = 0.55% all-in). The adviser-platform Active Money SIPP (AMSIPP) uses tiered SIPPZone rates (0.6%/0.55%/0.45%/0.4% by band) with additional Level 2 admin (£262/yr if <£50k) and Level 3 setup (£382) and yearly admin (£524/£328/£197/£0). Workplace pension charges are employer-negotiated (typically 0.20%–0.30%).

Standard Life, now part of the Phoenix Group (and historically linked to abrdn), is one of the UK's largest pension providers. The consumer Personal Pension charges a flat 0.45% service charge with a ~0.10% fund cost on the ready-made option — 0.55% all-in, with no dealing, switching, exit or transfer-in fees. That is simpler than many SIPP charging structures but more expensive than DIY SIPPs at every pot size in this table. For people comparing broader fund choice or holdings such as shares/property/gold, Standard Life's Active Money SIPP is available via a financial adviser at tiered rates (0.60% under £100k down to 0.40% above £500k) plus per-Level admin fees. Workplace rates are typically lower and employer-negotiated. The consumer product is positioned as a simple, branded default-style pension, while workplace plans depend on the employer scheme.

Strengths
  • +Flat 0.45% service charge — simple to understand
  • +No dealing, switching or exit fees
  • +Strong workplace pension presence
  • +Well-established brand (Phoenix Group)
Limitations
  • –More expensive than DIY SIPPs at every pot size
  • –Personal Pension limited to 50+ funds — no shares/ETFs
  • –Self-directed SIPP (AMSIPP) is adviser-only and significantly more expensive
  • –Two distinct products with very different fee schedules
Details
Fund range50+ fund choices on the consumer Personal Pension; wider range (300–4,000+) on the adviser-platform Active Money SIPP
Minimum investmentCheck current product T&Cs
Typical fund OCF0.10% (ready-made) up to ~1.5% (specialist funds)
SIPP/direct pensionSIPP available
Std Life pension fees FAQ

What are Standard Life pension charges in 2026?

Standard Life's representative published charging model is: 0.45% service charge + ~0.10% on the ready-made fund option (0.55% all-in). No dealing, switching, exit or transfer-in fees.. 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.

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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.