Provider comparison
Smart Pension vs Aviva
Side-by-side comparison from the PerkIQ directory. Cover, pricing, regulator status, and fit at a glance.
Category
Pension & Retirement
Pension & Retirement
Best for
1-10,000+ employees
20-10,000+ employees
Pricing model
Free for employer; 0.45-0.75% AMC for members
0.4-0.75% AMC; some employer charges
UK presence
Since 2015
Since 2000 (as Aviva)
Regulator
TPR & FCA
FCA-authorised
Strapline
Smart Pension is a digital-first workplace pension master trust used by 70,000+ UK employers. Quick onboarding, modern member app, and competitive AMC make it a popular choice for SMEs.
Aviva is one of the UK's largest workplace pension providers, offering Group Personal Pension (GPP) schemes alongside group risk products. A strong choice for SMEs wanting a trusted brand and bundled benefits.
What's included
- Fast setup. Sign up online and start auto-enrolment in under an hour. No paperwork, no broker required.
- Member app. Mobile-first pension management, employees can change contributions, switch funds, and project retirement income in-app.
- Sustainable default. Smart Sustainable Growth fund is the auto-enrolment default, with ESG screens and climate alignment baked in.
- API integrations. Native integrations with major UK payroll systems (Xero, Sage, BrightHR, Iris) for automated contributions.
- Group Personal Pension (GPP). Auto-enrolment-ready workplace pension with default and self-select fund ranges, plus drawdown at retirement.
- Group Life Insurance. Death-in-service cover from 2x to 10x salary, often bundled at favourable rates alongside the pension scheme.
- Income protection. Replaces a portion of salary if an employee is unable to work due to illness or injury. Strong rehabilitation support.
- Bundled risk products. Single-supplier convenience across pension, life cover, income protection, and critical illness, with consolidated admin.
Who it's for
- SMEs wanting low-admin auto-enrolment: fast online setup and strong payroll integration remove most of the monthly burden.
- Employers who value a modern member app: the digital-first experience helps staff engage with their pension.
- Growing businesses: a scalable master trust that runs the scheme governance for you.
- Employers wanting a bespoke, advised scheme: master trusts trade tailoring for simplicity and scale.
- Buyers chasing the lowest possible charge: compare the member AMC case by case before deciding.
Not stated
At a glance
- Master trust authorised by TPR
- 1.5m+ members
- 70,000+ employer schemes
- Self-service setup in <1 hour
- AMC 0.45-0.75%
- Sustainable default fund
- FCA authorised & regulated
- FTSE 100 listed
- 16m UK customers
- 2m+ workplace pension members
- Bundled risk products available
- Broker channel preferred for SMEs
Pick the right one with data, not a sales pitch
Score your benefits stack with PerkIQ and you'll see which of these (or another provider entirely) closes the biggest gaps for your team.
Information on this page is editorial, gathered from public sources and the providers' own materials, and does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation. For a quote, contact each provider directly or speak to an FCA-authorised broker. PerkIQ is not a reseller and earns no commission on provider sign-ups.
