From 30 June 2024, we’re updating the Aegon risk ratings for some of our insured funds available across our insured Pension, Life, and Aegon Retirement Choices (ARC) fund ranges.

Nothing else about the funds will change because of this update. The way each fund invests hasn’t changed – only the Aegon risk rating.

This is for information only, you don’t need to do anything.

The changes in more detail

We use risk ratings to show the level of risk compared to other funds in our fund ranges, using a predefined scale set out by Aegon. The rating may differ to the fund risk ratings of other fund providers.

We review the risk ratings of our insured funds to determine whether the risk of a fund has changed significantly compared to the other funds in our fund range.

Following our most recent review we’re making changes to the risk ratings for funds investing mainly in UK government bonds (gilts). We’re doing this because this type of investment has experienced more ups and downs in performance in recent years.

You can find out more about our Aegon risk ratings on our website at aegon.co.uk/customer/support/what-do-your-risk-levels-mean

The value of an investment can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed. You could get back less than you invest.

You can see the funds by fund range and their old and new Aegon risk ratings below:

Pension funds

Fund name Old Aegon risk rating New Aegon risk rating
Aegon BlackRock UK Index-Linked Gilt Tracker Below average Average
Index-Linked Gilt Tracker Below average Average
Index-Linked Below average Average
Aegon BlackRock Over 15 Years Corporate Bond Tracker Below average Average
Aegon BlackRock Over 15 Years UK Gilt Tracker Below average Average
Scottish Equitable Legal & General Pre-Retirement  Below average Average
UK Long Corporate Bond Below average Average
Aegon Interim Retirement (Annuity Target) Below average Average
Ethical Managed (Flexible Target) Average Above average
Aegon BlackRock Retirement Below Average Average
Aegon BlackRock Retirement II Below Average Average

Source: Aegon UK June 2024

Life funds

Fund name Old Aegon risk rating New Aegon risk rating
Index-Linked Below average Average

Source: Aegon UK June 2024

Aegon Retirement Choices (ARC) funds

Fund name Old Aegon risk rating New Aegon risk rating
Aegon Index-Linked Gilt Tracker (ARC) Below average Average
Aegon BlackRock UK Index-Linked Gilt Tracker (ARC) Below average Average
Index-Linked (ARC) Below average Average
Aegon BlackRock Over 15 Years Corporate Bond Tracker (ARC) Below average Average
Aegon BlackRock Over 15 Years UK Gilt Tracker (ARC) Below average Average
Scottish Equitable Legal & General Pre-Retirement (ARC)  Below average Average
Scottish Equitable UK Long Corporate Bond (ARC) Below average Average
Aegon Interim Retirement (Annuity Target) (ARC) Below average Average
Aegon Ethical Managed (Flexible Target) (ARC) Average Above average
Aegon BlackRock Retirement Below Average Average

Source: Aegon UK June 2024

How this affects you

You don’t need to do anything. This update is for information only. We’ll update our literature and our website as soon as we can, but you may notice the old and new information in use for a time.

You can find more information about these funds in the fund factsheets on the ‘Fund prices and performance’ page on our website by selecting ‘Other fund ranges’ for our pension and life funds or Aegon Retirement Choices (ARC).

What current investors need to do

Existing investors don’t need to do anything. 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.