A Modern Alternative to Aegon with Better Business Support

Penfold is a smarter, tech-driven alternative to Aegon, offering better business support at every step.

From seamless onboarding to advanced payroll tools and dedicated account managers, we’re redefining workplace pensions to save businesses time, reduce costs, and empowering employees to save for a comfortable later life.

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A mobile interface for Penfold's pension management app and a desktop interface for Penfold's pension processing platform. The mobile screen shows "Rose's Dashboard" with a total pot value of £12,994.54, options to transfer an old pension, and add money. There's also a prompt to combine an old pension and a forecast feature. The desktop interface welcomes back "Elevate Accounting Group" and prompts to upload files. Two dashed boxes offer to "Add employees only" or "Add pension payroll files" with drag and drop functionality. There are also options to download templates for enrolment and contributions, and a section for the last upload.

Why Businesses Choose Penfold over Aegon

Penfold delivers more business-focused features than Aegon, giving you greater control and support:

Designed for Modern Businesses

Penfold’s tech-driven platform is built to simplify pension management for businesses. From seamless compliance tracking to reduced admin time and automated payroll processing, Penfold helps businesses work smarter. While Aegon is a reliable option, its one-size-fits-all approach lacks the customisation and business-focused features Penfold offers.

Hands-On Account Management

Every Penfold business benefits from a dedicated account manager who supports you through onboarding, payroll integration, and day-to-day queries. Unlike Aegon, which doesn’t offer this level of personalised service, Penfold ensures you have expert help whenever you need it.

Highly Rated by Businesses and Savers

Penfold is rated 4.7 stars on Trustpilot, reflecting our commitment to exceptional service and support. Aegon, while dependable, scores 3.6 stars on Trustpilot. Both providers have 5-star Defaqto ratings, but Penfold’s higher customer satisfaction underscores our focus on delivering a better experience for businesses and their employees.

A comparison chart between Penfold and Nest pension providers. Penfold offers a group personal pension, and Nest offers a master trust. Both have a 5-star Defaqto rating, but Penfold’s Trustpilot rating is 4.7, compared to Nest’s 4.0. Penfold provides all listed services, including a dedicated account manager, managed onboarding, launch events, compliance support, salary sacrifice support, payroll integrations, payroll processing support, and pension benchmarking. Nest lacks all these features. Both have £0 business fees.

Fund Performance: Helping Employees Save More

Strong fund performance is key to building a secure financial future. Over the past five years, Penfold’s default fund, managed by BlackRock, has delivered annualised returns of 9.3% (gross) and 8.4% (net), outperforming Aegon’s returns of 9.0% (gross) and 8.4% (net).

Penfold’s high returns have meant that employees grew their savings faster, building a more secure financial future compared to Nest’s default plan.

Figures are net of investment fees but gross of provider fees. Past performance, actual or simulated, is also not a reliable indicator of future returns. All investments carry risk and your investment value can go up or down. Returns may increase or decrease as a result of currency fluctuations.

A chart comparing the default fund performance of Penfold and Aegon over 5 years to 31st December 2025. Penfold’s gross returns are 9.3%, outperforming Aegons’s gross returns of 9.0%. Penfold’s net returns are 8.4%, the same as Aegon’s net returns of 8.4%.

Figures for the Penfold Plan are based on a simulation, provided by BlackRock, of how the portfolio might have performed had these building blocks of the plan existed together over the last five years. It’s important to note that it cannot be definitively said exactly how this plan would have performed in the past. Simulations should not be taken as a guarantee of expected past or future performance, but are designed to be illustrative only. A full list of the assumptions made to generate the simulations is available and should be carefully considered.

The figures shown represent a weighted average of performance across 30 age cohorts (ages 36-65) to provide an overall view of member outcomes. Individual returns will vary depending on fund allocation at different points in a member’s investment journey, as well as personal fee structures. For consistency in comparison, returns have been estimated based on a typical pot size of £10,000 and an average salary of £30,000. Actual returns may differ due to factors such as specific employer-negotiated fees, individual pot sizes, and salary levels.

Returns are based on data collected by investment advisors DWA from a variety of sources, including individual providers and data published on Morningstar. Where possible, actual return data has been used; however, some assumptions were made based on underlying fund data due to availability limitations. The impact of charges has been applied on a monthly basis, which may create minor discrepancies with actual experience depending on the charging structure. DWA is happy to review and correct any discrepancies should further evidence be provided.

A Better Pension Experience for Employees

Employees deserve a workplace pension that’s enjoyable and makes saving easy. Here’s how Penfold compares to Aegon in delivering value to them:

Engaging App

Penfold’s modern app puts employees in control of their pension, offering real-time insights into their savings, investment performance, and retirement goals. Aegon offers a basic app with limited functionality, while Penfold’s modern app allows employees to actively manage their pensions on the go.

Easy for Employees, Easy for You

Getting stuck trying to solve clients and employees’ pension problems? Our app helps employees find and combine other pensions, and make changes to their pension independently.

Focus on Financial Wellbeing

Penfold empowers employees with features like savings goals, nudges, and retirement income forecasts, helping them plan for a secure financial future. Aegon lacks these tools, offering fewer resources to support employees’ long-term financial wellbeing.

A comparison chart between Penfold and Aegon pension services. Both offer an app and sustainable and Sharia funds. Penfold provides 11 investment funds, while Aegon offers 11. Penfold also includes features like finding and combining pensions, savings goals, savings nudges, retirement income forecasts, shareholder voting, financial wellbeing programs, and education programs, which Aegon lacks.

What Makes Penfold Stand Out?

Unparalleled Support

With Penfold, businesses get access to expert support right away – no call centres, no hold music. Your dedicated account manager ensures everything runs smoothly, whether it’s compliance, payroll processing, or employee queries.

Seamless Payroll Integrations

Penfold’s advanced payroll tech saves businesses time by automating contributions and ensuring accuracy. Nest offers basic payroll support but lacks the full suite of tools provided by Penfold’s platform.

Employee-Centric Features

Penfold’s focus on financial wellbeing means employees get the tools and insights they need to save confidently for retirement. This level of employee engagement helps businesses attract and retain top talent.

A composite image featuring a laptop and smartphone displaying Penfold’s pension management interface, alongside two colleagues working together in an office setting. The laptop screen shows an employee management dashboard, while the phone displays a personal pension overview. In the background, a man in a yellow sweater works on a laptop, and a woman holding a coffee cup smiles while engaging with him. The setting is a modern, well-lit office.

How to Choose the Right Workplace Pension

Step 1: Assess Your Needs

Is your current provider falling short on support, compliance, or employee engagement? Identifying these gaps is key to finding a better solution.

Step 2: Compare Providers

Evaluate how providers like Penfold and Nest meet your needs. Look at key features, fund performance, and support services to find the best match for your business.

Step 3: Plan Your Switch

Once you’ve chosen the right pension, work with your provider to ensure a smooth transition. Penfold’s account managers ensure a smooth transition, working closely with you to make the switch effortless for you and your team.

Why Businesses Are Switching to Penfold

Save Time

Automate payroll and pension contributions.

Boost Compliance

Stay on top of regulatory requirements effortlessly.

Support Employees

Offer a pension scheme that’s easy to use and engaging.

Ready to upgrade your workplace pension? Join thousands of businesses already transforming their schemes with Penfold.

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