Investment choice
Your pension plan is invested with the intention of making your pot grow over the long term. But remember, like any investment its value can go down as well as up, you could even get back less than was paid in.
Take time to understand your options, so you can make the right choices for you. You can check where you are currently invested on your online account or via the mobile app.
Investing made easy
By default, the money in your pension plan will be invested in the low-involvement option: Sustainable Multi Asset Drawdown Strategic Lifestyle Profile. This has been chosen by Howdens and their adviser as a good option for most people in the company.
This option may be right for you if:
- You're happy for someone else to make your investment choices on your behalf
- You don’t want to worry about moving your investments around as you approach retirement
- You are happy with investment experts managing your money on your behalf
Your money will stay invested in this option unless you decide to change where you invest. You should review this option to check it's right for you.
What you'll pay if you invest in the selected option
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Charges
0.99%
Charges displayed are for the fund used in the growth stage of the profile and are made up of the Fund Management Charge and any Additional Expenses.
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Discount
0.73%
Howdens has arranged this plan rebate for you. You will still benefit from it even if you leave your job.
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What you pay
0.26%
This is the effective total annual fund charge you'd pay if your plan was invested in the growth stage of the default option.
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This information is correct as at February 2026. Charges and rebates may change in the future. The figures shown above reflect the charges for the fund used in the growth stage of this lifestyle profile. There may be other funds in the profile that are more expensive. For more information please read your Lifestyle Profile guide
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Self select funds
Howdens has selected a range of investment options which they think are appropriate if you do not want to invest in the lifestyle strategies. The right option for you will depend on your circumstances, experience of investing and attitude to risk.
The self select funds use either passive or active management. You can find out more about the different styles of fund management, different asset classes, potential charges and more in the Fund Guide or in the links below.
Remember, Howdens is not recommending that these funds are suitable for everyone, neither are they providing individual investment advice.
When can you make changes?
You can log in to your account to make a fund switch after you've made your first payment into the plan. You’ll find a range of investment guides and a risk tool to help you decide what option might be right for you.
Remember to regularly review your choices, especially if your circumstances change. Any choices you make now are not set in stone. You are in control and you can change your investments at any time you choose – so you are not committing yourself forever.
If you are not sure which options are right for you, you should get help from a financial adviser. There is likely to be a charge for this.
Things to be aware of
- Before you choose an investment option, make sure you understand its aims and risks
- As with any investment, the value can go down as well as up, and may be worth less than what was paid in
The self select funds
Please note that the fund charges applicable to members of the the Howdens Retirement Savings Plan are lower than those shown in the links below. The current fund charges for members of the the Howdens Retirement Savings Plan can be found in the Fund Guide.
| Fund name | Active or Passive | Asset Class |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Life Deposit and Treasury Pension Fund | Active | Money Market Instruments (including cash) |
| Standard Life Ethical Pension Fund | Active | Multi Asset |
| Standard Life Property Pension Fund | Active | Property (including property securities) |
| SL HSBC Islamic Global Equity Index Pension Fund | Passive | Global Equities |
| SL Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Pension Fund | Passive | Global Equities |
| SL Vanguard FTSE Developed World ex UK Pension Fund | Passive | Global Equities |
| SL Vanguard FTSE UK All Share Index Pension Fund | Passive | UK Equities |
| SL Vanguard UK Inflations Linked Gilt Index Pension Fund | Passive | Bonds |
| SL Vanguard UK Investment Grade Bond Index Pension Fund | Passive | Bonds |
| SL Vanguard UK Long Duration Gilt Index Pension Fund | Passive | Bonds |
| SL BlackRock Market Advantage Pension Fund | Active | Other |
| SL BlackRock ACS World ESG Screened and Optimised Equity Tracker Pension Fund | Passive | Global Equities |
So what next?
If you would like more information about these options, download and read the fact sheets or have a look at the Fund Guide.
You can find out more about the Standard Life approach to responsible investing and how it is built into the investment options we offer on the Investment Guidance page.
Want more investment choice? Upgrade to a GSIPP
You may be able to move to a different type of pension - a Group Self Invested Personal Pension (GSIPP). This would give you even more choice over how you invest your pension money since you'll get access to invest in stocks & shares, a wide range of mutual funds, as well as all of Standard Life's pension funds.