Aegon UK has streamlined how money is transferred onto its Aegon Retirement Choices (ARC) platform, helping to reduce paperwork and the manual steps for advisers consolidating pensions and investments.

The changes remove the need for transfer authorities on eligible cash and re-registration transfers via Origo and Equisoft, enabling fully online transfer journeys for ARC across pensions and investments. Aegon UK also streamlined key parts of adviser workflows, including a simpler way to select the transferring provider, reducing duplication and helping transfers progress quickly with clearer visibility throughout the journey. These updates came as platform switching activity continued to accelerate across the market. Assets supported through Aegon UK’s platform switch service increased by 42 per cent in 2025, with first quarter (2026) inflows up 136 per cent year-on-year. Aegon UK chief distribution officer, Ronnie Taylor, said the platform switch service “is designed to help advisers manage transitions efficiently and at scale, reducing friction, maintaining momentum and keeping the focus on delivering good client outcomes”.

The People’s Partnership has launched a new annuity guidance service for the seven million members of The People’s Pension master trust.

Working with Retirement Line, the scheme said it was now offering free support to members aged 55 and over, considering an annuity purchase. The move followed research highlighting a need for greater help with the complex retirement decisions involved with choosing retirement options, including annuities. Through the service, members can access a single point of contact, speak to staff by phone, and use online tools, with tailored support also available for vulnerable customers. People’s Partnership proposition director, Kirsty Ross, said the service would provide “clarity at a time when choices matter most”, while People’s Pension chief commercial officer, David Meliveo, added it would give employers “confidence” that staff could access specialist, impartial guidance.

The Crown Estate Pension Scheme has appointed ZEDRA as chair of trustees, following a competitive selection process managed by Aon.

The Crown Estate Pension Scheme, comprising a £46m defined benefit (DB) section and a £43m defined contribution (DC) section, has a diverse £15bn portfolio, including urban centres and development opportunities. It also manages the seabed and much of the coastline around England, Wales and Northern Ireland, playing a role in the UK’s offshore wind sector. The Crown Estate, director of reward and pensions, Sarah White, said: “Our scheme’s unique structure and strong covenant require thoughtful governance and a continued focus on delivering for members.” ZEDRA managing director, Kim Nash, added the scheme’s hybrid structure, spanning multiple benefit arrangements and an open DB section, “creates distinctive opportunities, as well as challenges,” across governance, funding and member experience, requiring careful oversight and a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach.

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