From 30 September 2024, we’re updating the benchmark for 29 funds managed by BlackRock across our insured pension, Aegon Retirement Choices (ARC), TargetPlan and Aegon Master Trust (AMT) fund ranges.
We’re also updating the fund objective for 18 of those funds.
Nothing else about the funds will change because of this.
The changes in more detail
Benchmark changes
Benchmarks are used to measure a fund’s performance against similar types of investments, similar markets or regions. Some funds aim to track, or match the performance, of a chosen a benchmark.
The underlying fund manager, BlackRock, tracks Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) benchmarks for some of their funds. We’re updating our version of these funds to better reflect the underlying funds.
You can see details of the old and new benchmarks by selecting the fund range below:
Fund name |
Old fund benchmark |
New fund benchmark |
|---|---|---|
Aegon BlackRock European Equity Tracker |
FTSE Developed Europe ex UK Index |
FTSE Developed Europe ex UK Custom ESG Screened Index |
Aegon BlackRock Japanese Equity Tracker |
FTSE Japan |
FTSE Japan Custom ESG Screened Index |
Aegon BlackRock UK Equity Tracker |
FTSE All Share |
FTSE All Share Custom ESG Screened Index |
Aegon BlackRock US Equity Tracker |
FTSE USA |
FTSE USA Custom ESG Screened Index |
Aegon BlackRock World (ex-UK) Equity Tracker |
FTSE Developed ex UK |
FTSE Developed ex UK Custom ESG Screened Index |
Aegon BlackRock 40/60 Global Equity Tracker |
Composite Index: 60% FTSE Developed ex UK / 40% FTSE All Share |
Composite Index: 60% FTSE Developed ex UK Custom ESG Screened Index / 40% FTSE All Share Custom ESG Screened Index |
Aegon BlackRock 75/25 Equity and Bond Tracker |
Composite Index: 55% FTSE All Share / 15% FTSE Actuaries UK Conventional Gilts |
Composite Index: 55% FTSE All Share Custom ESG Screened Index / 15% FTSE Actuaries UK Conventional Gilts |
Source: Aegon UK
A ‘composite index’ benchmark is made up of more than one index or market.
Fund name |
Old fund benchmark |
New fund benchmark |
|---|---|---|
Aegon BlackRock European Equity Tracker (ARC) |
FTSE Developed Europe ex UK Index |
FTSE Developed Europe ex UK Custom ESG Screened Index |
Aegon BlackRock Japanese Equity Tracker (ARC) |
FTSE Japan |
FTSE Japan Custom ESG Screened Index |
Aegon BlackRock UK Equity Tracker (ARC) |
FTSE All Share |
FTSE All Share Custom ESG Screened Index |
Aegon BlackRock US Equity Tracker (ARC) |
FTSE USA |
FTSE USA Custom ESG Screened Index |
Aegon BlackRock World (ex-UK) Equity Tracker (ARC) |
FTSE Developed ex UK |
FTSE Developed ex UK Custom ESG Screened Index |
Source: Aegon UK
Fund name |
Old fund benchmark |
New fund benchmark |
|---|---|---|
Aegon BlackRock ACS UK Equity Index (BLK) |
FTSE All-Share |
FTSE All Share Custom ESG Screened Index |
Aegon BlackRock ACS US Equity Index (BLK) |
FTSE USA GBP |
FTSE USA Custom ESG Screened Index |
Aegon BlackRock ACS World (ex-UK) Equity Index (BLK) |
FTSE All World Developed ex UK Net of Tax GBP |
FTSE Developed ex UK Custom ESG Screened Index |
Aegon BlackRock European Equity Index (BLK) |
FTSE All World Developed Europe ex-UK Net of Tax GBP |
FTSE Developed Europe ex UK Custom ESG Screened Index |
Aegon BlackRock Japanese Equity Index (BLK) |
FTSE All World Japan Index |
FTSE Japan Custom ESG Screened Index |
Aegon BlackRock UK Equity Index (BLK) |
FTSE All Share |
FTSE All Share Custom ESG Screened Index |
Aegon BlackRock US Equity Index (BLK) |
FTSE USA GBP |
FTSE USA Custom ESG Screened Index |
Aegon BlackRock World (ex-UK) Equity Index (BLK) |
FTSE Developed ex United Kingdom Net of Tax GBP |
FTSE Developed ex UK Custom ESG Screened Index |
Aegon BlackRock 40/60 Global Equity Index (BLK) |
Composite Index: 40% FTSE All Share Index / 60% FTSE All-World Developed ex-UK Index |
Composite Index: 40% FTSE All Share Custom ESG Screened Index / 60% FTSE Developed ex UK Custom ESG Screened Index |
Aegon BlackRock 70/30 Global Equity Index (BLK) |
Composite Index: 70% FTSE All Share Index / 13.49% FTSE North America / 9.97% FTSE Developed Europe ex UK / 3.52% FTSE Japan / 2.17% FTSE Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan / 0.85% MSCI Emerging Markets | Composite Index: 70% FTSE All Share Custom ESG Screened Index / 13.49% FTSE North America / 9.97% FTSE Developed Europe ex UK / 3.52% FTSE Japan / 2.17% FTSE Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan / 0.85% MSCI Emerging Markets |
Aegon BlackRock Balanced Index (BLK) |
Composite Index: 55 % FTSE All Share Index, 6.6% FTSE USA (GBP) TOTAL, 3.4% FTSE NDR AW Dev Asia Pacific Ex Japan (GBP), 6.6% FTSE NDR AW Dev Europe Ex UK (GBP), 3.4% FTSE NDR AW JAPAN (GBP), 15% FTSE UK Gilts All-Stocks Index, 10% FTSE UK Gilts Index-Linked Over 5 Years |
Composite Index: 55% FTSE All Share Custom ESG Screened Index, 6.6% FTSE USA Custom ESG Screened Index, 3.4% FTSE NDR AW Dev Asia Pacific Ex Japan (GBP), 6.6% FTSE Developed Europe ex-UK Custom ESG Screened Index, 3.4% FTSE Japan Custom ESG Screened Index, 15% FTSE UK Gilts All-Stocks Index, 10% FTSE UK Gilts Index-Linked Over 5 Years |
Aegon BlackRock Consensus Index (BLK) |
Composite Index: 29.91% FTSE All-Share TR Index, 15.29% FTSE World North America Index (Net Total Return GBP), 14.77% FTSE All World Developed Europe ex UK Net of Tax GBP, 12.56% JP Morgan Global Government Bond Index ex UK, 9.90% (IB_GBPXGLT / FTSEASGILT / FTILASGILT Floating Index), 7.33% SONIA Overnight, 5.12% FTSE All World Japan Net of Tax GBP, 3.02% FTSE All World Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan Net of Tax GBP, 1.6% Aquila Connect EM historic component, 0.5% FTSE EPRA Nareit Custom Developed Midday (12:00 UK) (BLK-BCIF) Index |
Composite Index: 29.91% FTSE All Share Custom ESG Screened Index, |
Source: Aegon UK
A ‘composite index’ benchmark is made up of more than one index or market.
Fund name |
Old fund benchmark |
New fund benchmark |
|---|---|---|
Aegon Developed Markets ex-UK Equity Tracker (AMT) |
FTSE All-World Developed ex-UK Index Net of Tax GBP |
FTSE Developed Europe ex UK Custom ESG Screened Index |
Aegon Europe ex-UK Equity Tracker (AMT) |
FTSE All World Developed Europe ex UK Net of Tax GBP |
FTSE Developed Europe ex UK Custom ESG Screened Index |
Aegon Japan Equity Tracker (AMT) |
FTSE All World Japan Net of Tax GBP |
FTSE Japan Custom ESG Screened Index |
Aegon UK Equity Tracker (AMT) |
FTSE All Share Index |
FTSE All Share Custom ESG Screened Index |
Aegon US Equity Tracker (AMT) |
FTSE USA in GBP |
FTSE USA Custom ESG Screened Index |
Source: Aegon UK
Objective changes
The fund objective explains how the fund invests and what it’s trying to achieve for investors.
For some of the funds the benchmark formed part of the investment objective so, to make sure our version of the fund objective reflects this change, we’re updating it. The way the funds invest is not changing.
Details are shown below, with the changes to the fund objective highlighted.
Fund name |
Old fund objective |
New fund objective |
|---|---|---|
Aegon BlackRock European Equity Tracker
|
This fund aims to achieve a return that is consistent with that of the FTSE Developed Europe ex UK Index by investing in a portfolio of shares of European companies. |
This fund aims to achieve a return that is consistent with that of the FTSE Developed Europe ex UK Custom ESG Screened Index by investing in a portfolio of shares of European companies. |
Aegon BlackRock Japanese Equity Tracker |
This fund aims to achieve a return that is consistent with that of the FTSE Japan Index by investing in a portfolio of shares of Japanese companies |
This fund aims to achieve a return that is consistent with that of the FTSE Japan Custom ESG Screened Index by investing in a portfolio of shares of Japanese companies. |
Aegon BlackRock UK Equity Tracker |
This fund invests in the shares of UK companies and aims to achieve a return consistent with that of the FTSE All Share Index. |
This fund invests in the shares of UK companies and aims to achieve a return consistent with that of the FTSE All Share Custom ESG Screened Index. |
Aegon BlackRock US Equity Tracker |
This fund aims to match the performance of the FTSE USA Index and achieve long-term capital growth by investing in a range of US shares (equities) of large and medium-sized companies. |
This fund aims to match the performance of the FTSE USA Custom ESG Screened Index and achieve long-term capital growth by investing in a range of US shares (equities) of large and medium-sized companies. |
Aegon BlackRock World |
This fund invests in the shares of overseas companies (in Europe, Japan, the Far East, the USA and Canada). It aims to match the performance of the FTSE Developed (ex-UK) Index and invests in these regions in the same proportions as the Index. |
This fund invests in the shares of overseas companies (in Europe, Japan, the Far East, the USA and Canada). It aims to match the performance of the FTSE Developed ex-UK Custom ESG Screened Index and invests in these regions in the same proportions as the Index. |
Source: Aegon UK
Fund name |
Old fund objective |
New fund objective |
|---|---|---|
Aegon BlackRock European Equity Tracker (ARC) |
This fund aims to achieve a return that is consistent with that of the FTSE Developed Europe ex UK Index by investing in a portfolio of shares of European companies. |
This fund aims to achieve a return that is consistent with that of the FTSE Developed Europe ex UK Custom ESG Screened Index by investing in a portfolio of shares of European companies. |
Aegon BlackRock Japanese Equity Tracker (ARC) |
This fund aims to achieve a return that is consistent with that of the FTSE Japan Index by investing in a portfolio of shares of Japanese companies |
This fund aims to achieve a return that is consistent with that of the FTSE Japan Custom ESG Screened Index by investing in a portfolio of shares of Japanese companies |
Aegon BlackRock UK Equity Tracker (ARC) |
This fund invests in the shares of UK companies and aims to achieve a return consistent with that of the FTSE All Share Index. |
This fund invests in the shares of UK companies and aims to achieve a return consistent with that of the FTSE All-Share Custom ESG Screened Index. |
Aegon BlackRock US Equity Tracker (ARC) |
This fund aims to match the performance of the FTSE USA Index and achieve long-term capital growth by investing in a range of US shares (equities) of large and medium-sized companies. |
This fund aims to match the performance of the FTSE USA Custom ESG Screened Index and achieve long-term capital growth by investing in a range of US shares (equities) of large and medium-sized companies. |
Aegon BlackRock World (ex-UK) Equity Tracker (ARC) |
This fund invests in the shares of overseas companies (in Europe, Japan, the Far East, the USA and Canada). It aims to match the performance of the FTSE Developed (exUK) Index and invests in these regions in the same proportions as the Index. |
This fund invests in the shares of overseas companies (in Europe, Japan, the Far East, the USA and Canada). It aims to match the performance of the FTSE Developed ex-UK Custom ESG Screened Index and invests in these regions in the same proportions as the Index. |
Source: Aegon UK
Fund name |
Old fund objective |
New fund objective |
|---|---|---|
Aegon BlackRock ACS UK Equity Index (BLK) |
This fund invests in the shares of UK companies and aims to achieve a return consistent with that of the FTSE All Share Index. |
This fund invests in the shares of UK companies and aims to achieve a return consistent with that of the FTSE All-Share Custom ESG Screened Index. |
Aegon BlackRock ACS US Equity Index (BLK) |
This fund aims to match the performance of the FTSE All World USA Index and achieve long-term capital growth by investing in a range of US shares (equities) of large and medium-sized companies. |
This fund aims to match the performance of the FTSE USA Custom ESG Screened Index and achieve long-term capital growth by investing in a range of US shares (equities) of large and medium-sized companies. |
Aegon BlackRock ACS World (ex-UK) Equity Index (BLK) |
This fund invests in the shares of overseas companies (in Europe, Japan, the Far East, the USA and Canada). It aims to match the performance of the FTSE All World Developed (ex-UK) Index and invests in these regions in |
This fund invests in the shares of overseas companies (in Europe, Japan, the Far East, the USA and Canada). It aims to match the performance of the FTSE Developed ex-UK Custom ESG Screened Index and invests in these regions in the same proportions as the Index. |
Aegon BlackRock European Equity Index (BLK) |
This fund aims to achieve a return that is consistent with that of the FTSE All World Developed Europe ex UK Index by investing in a portfolio of shares of European companies. |
This fund aims to achieve a return that is consistent with that of the FTSE Developed Europe ex-UK Custom ESG Screened Index by investing in a portfolio of shares of European companies. |
Aegon BlackRock Japanese Equity Index (BLK) |
This fund aims to achieve a return that is consistent with that of the FTSE All World Japan Index by investing in a portfolio of shares of Japanese companies. |
This fund aims to achieve a return that is consistent with that of the FTSE Japan Custom ESG Screened Index by investing in a portfolio of shares of Japanese companies. |
Aegon BlackRock UK Equity Index (BLK) |
This fund invests in the shares of UK companies and aims to achieve a return consistent with that of the FTSE All Share Index. |
This fund invests in the shares of UK companies and aims to achieve a return consistent with that of the FTSE All-Share Custom ESG Screened Index. |
Aegon BlackRock US Equity Index (BLK) |
This fund aims to match the performance of the FTSE All World USA Index and achieve long-term capital growth by investing in a range of US shares (equities) of large and medium-sized companies. |
This fund aims to match the performance of the FTSE USA Custom ESG Screened Index and achieve long-term capital growth by investing in a range of US shares (equities) of large and medium-sized companies. |
Aegon BlackRock World |
This fund invests in the shares of overseas companies (in Europe, Japan, the Far East, the USA and Canada). It aims to match the performance of the FTSE All World Developed (ex-UK) Index and invests in these regions in |
This fund invests in the shares of overseas companies (in Europe, Japan, the Far East, the USA and Canada). It aims to match the performance of the FTSE Developed ex-UK Custom ESG Screened Index and invests in these regions in the same proportions as the Index. |
Source: Aegon UK
There’s no guarantee the funds will meet their objectives. The value of an investment can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed. Investors could get back less than they pay in.
We’ll update our literature and our website as soon as we can, but investors may notice the old and new information in use for a time (for example on our fund factsheets).
You can find more information about these funds in the fund factsheets on the ‘Fund prices and performance' page on our website by selecting either:
What current investors need to do
Existing investors don’t need to do anything.
If you’re invested in any of these funds, please speak to a financial adviser if you’re not sure what these changes mean for you. If you don’t have a financial adviser, you can visit moneyhelper.org.uk/choosing-a-financial-adviser to find the right one for you.