Does Aviva give pension advice, and what does it cost?

Aviva pension advice comes from Aviva Financial Advice, open to people with £300,000 or more saved, Aviva says; the first call and meeting are free.

Whether this route fits turns on how much you hold and what you want sorted out. An FCA-authorised adviser can pick through your pots with you, whichever firm you end up using; the form on this page gets that call-back moving, free.

Does Aviva give pension advice to its customers?

Yes, through a separate advice service. Aviva's Financial Advice page says "You can get our expert, personalised advice if you have £300,000 or more in total across all your pension and investment savings." The page covers pensions, investments and defined benefit pensions.

You do not need to hold an Aviva pension: on defined benefit advice Aviva says "You don't need an Aviva pension to get advice from us." Its guide to advice also says that "Any recommendations advisers make will be for products from Aviva and other carefully selected partners"; the same article explains the difference between independent and restricted advice.

The footer explains who stands behind it: Aviva Financial Advice is a trading style of Succession Financial Management Limited, a firm the Financial Conduct Authority authorises (reference 225831), and Aviva Administration Limited acts only as an introducer. The firm giving the advice and the pension provider are therefore different companies, even when both carry the Aviva name. Aviva says people can be met in person, over the phone or online.

How much does Aviva pension advice cost?

Aviva publishes how the charging starts, not a price list. Its pension advice page says "There's no cost for your first call with us, or for your first meeting with an adviser" and that Aviva will "always be up-front with you about our fees", with no obligation to go ahead.

After that, Aviva's FAQ says your adviser will take you through all the charges up front before you decide to proceed. Its Financial Advice page adds that you do not need to pay those charges up front, as they can come from your investments instead. Aviva's costs article (last updated 2 February 2026) lists how advice is charged in general: a percentage of your investments, an hourly rate, a fixed charge, and platform fees taken from the fund. That describes advisers in general, not a quote for Aviva's own service.

On defined benefit pensions, Aviva's FAQ warns that if an adviser recommends against a transfer, "the advice fee is still payable". Advice fees put many people off. Once you have sent the form here, the adviser who phones can set out the likely cost for your pot, at no charge.

For what advisers usually charge in general, see how much pension advice costs.

Which pension tools does Aviva offer on its website?

Aviva's Wealth Compass is the tool it points people to when they are unsure where to start. Aviva says it "brings together an overview of your key finances to help point you in the next direction of your financial plan". It asks roughly what you hold in pensions, investments and savings, and you can say whether you want a conversation with Aviva's team, tools and articles, or both. Aviva adds that for tailored advice you should speak to a financial adviser.

Its tools page also lists a pension calculator, an annuity calculator, a pension withdrawal tax calculator and Shape my future, for the income you might need. The pension calculator page says it is "for educational purposes only", and its example uses a 0.75% investment charge that Aviva labels as an example; actual charges may be higher or lower.

Tools like these show a possible figure, not a recommendation. Your tax position and your other pensions change what a calculator figure means. An FCA-authorised adviser can take both into account, and the form here requests a call-back at no cost.

What can Aviva's pension helpline help with?

Aviva's phone numbers depend on the type of pension you hold, so start with its page for managing your pension scheme. For a workplace pension, Aviva lists one number if you are still with the employer that set it up and another if you have moved employer, both for discussing your options near retirement or any other question about your pension. A Fixed Term Retirement Plan has its own line. Where an adviser looks after a Pension Portfolio, Aviva says to manage transactions through that adviser, and to call only if you no longer have one.

Guides are another matter. Aviva's Company Pension key features say "Please be aware that this guide doesn't provide personalised advice or give personal recommendations", and add that your employer may have lined up a financial adviser to speak to. The same guide says that if you need a personal recommendation, you should seek financial advice.

Jobs such as checking a value, switching funds and naming beneficiaries are mostly done online through MyAviva, and a chatbot points you to the right team.

Where else can I get regulated pension advice?

Aviva itself points elsewhere. Its Financial Advice page says "if you're looking for a financial adviser, you can find a list of regulated financial advisers at MoneyHelper", and its Company Pension key features remind readers that financial advisers charge for their advice. Our guides to finding a pension adviser and what counts as pension advice cover the search itself.

If your savings are under £300,000, Aviva says it has guides and tools, and for free guidance it names Pension Wise, which "provides free, impartial help on your retirement options if you're aged 50 or over". Pension Wise gives guidance, not advice; see what Pension Wise is and free pension help.

Some decisions need regulated advice by law. Aviva's pension advice page says you need advice before transferring a pension with safeguarded benefits if its cash equivalent transfer value is over £30,000; when advice is required for a transfer has the rule. Whichever route you take, check any adviser on the FCA register, and read how pension scams work if anyone contacts you unprompted.

You may want a second view on your own pensions after reading Aviva's pages. An FCA-authorised adviser can give one, and sending the form here asks for a free call.

The advice allowance, commission and DB transfers at Aviva

Is there an Aviva pension advice allowance?

Aviva's costs article says "some providers allow you to withdraw up to £500 tax-free from your pension to pay for retirement advice", over up to three tax years. Your plan's own terms settle whether it is offered, and an adviser can look at that with you for free. The background is in the pension advice allowance guide.

Must I take advice before using my Aviva pension?

Aviva's pension advice page says that, most of the time, no financial adviser is needed by law. The exception it gives is transferring safeguarded benefits with a cash equivalent transfer value over £30,000.

Do Aviva's pension advisers work on commission?

Aviva says "None of our advisers work on commission for pension advice", describing their focus as giving the best advice rather than selling products.

Can Aviva's advisers handle defined benefit transfers?

Aviva says its advisers can review a defined benefit pension and refer you to a specialist with the licence to advise on a transfer. Its FAQ adds that its advisers cannot give DB transfer advice under their Aviva Financial Advice licence, but can under their Succession Wealth Management permissions.