Aegon is one of the UK’s largest pension, investment, and retirement providers, with approximately three million customers. People come to Aegon through many different routes: an auto-enrolled workplace pension through an employer, a personal SIPP they opened directly, a Cofunds investment platform account, a policy on the Aegon Retirement Choices (ARC) or One Retirement platform, or an annuity paying regular income in retirement. Because the product range is broad and the contact routes vary by product, dealing with an Aegon account after someone dies can feel complicated.
The process itself is straightforward once you know which product the deceased held and which team to call. This guide walks you through each product type, the correct contact details, what documents you will need, what happens to the money, and what options the beneficiaries have.
Quick reference:
- Pensions and bonds (Scottish Equitable/Aegon branded): 03456 100 010, Monday–Friday 8:30am–5:30pm (9:45am Tuesdays)
- Aegon Platform (ISAs, GIAs, adviser-placed pensions): 03456 044 001
- ARC/One Retirement/Retiready: 03456 081 680
- TargetPlan: 03456 01 77 21
- Online bereavement page: aegon.co.uk/support/additional-support/bereavements
Source: Aegon bereavement page, verified May 2026.
How to contact Aegon
Aegon does not have a single universal bereavement number. The right number depends on which product the deceased held – pensions, platform investments, and ARC/retirement plans each have separate teams.
Pensions and bonds (Scottish Equitable/Aegon branded)
Call 03456 100 010 (or +44 131 378 3000 from abroad), Monday to Friday, 8:30am–5:30pm (9:45am on Tuesdays). This covers workplace pensions (Group Personal Pensions), personal pensions, and bonds branded as Aegon or Scottish Equitable. Write to: Aegon, Sunderland, SR43 4DS.
Aegon Platform (formerly Cofunds)
Call 03456 044 001 or email apcustomercare@aegon.co.uk. This covers investment accounts (ISAs, GIAs, and adviser-placed pensions) on the Aegon Platform, previously known as Cofunds or Investor Portfolio Service (IPS). Write to: Aegon Platform Administration, Sunderland, SR43 4DN.
ARC, One Retirement, and Retiready
Call 03456 081 680 or email arccustomercare@aegon.co.uk. This covers accounts on the Aegon Retirement Choices (ARC) platform, One Retirement, and the Retiready self-service pension product. Write to: Aegon, Sunderland, SR43 4DL.
TargetPlan
Call 03456 01 77 21 or email my.pension@aegon.co.uk. TargetPlan is an older group pension product used by some employers.
Aegon Platform (formerly Nationwide)
Call 0345 272 0089 or email ap3customercare@aegon.co.uk. This covers accounts originally held through Nationwide Building Society and migrated to the Aegon Platform. If the deceased had an eight-digit customer number starting with 4, or a wrapper number starting with 9, this is the right team. Write to: Sunderland, SR43 4DP.
What to have ready when you call
When you call, have the following to hand. You do not need all of this – Aegon can search their records from the deceased’s name and date of birth alone:
- The deceased’s full name, date of birth, and last address
- Date of death
- Your full name, address, and relationship to the deceased
- Any policy, plan, or account reference numbers, if you can find them
- The deceased’s National Insurance number (useful but not essential)
Aegon will log the death, stop any regular payments or communications, and explain what paperwork they need you to send. They ask for the original death certificate by post; originals are returned safely.
You can also use Life Ledger or DeathBell to notify Aegon along with other financial providers in a single submission, though these services may not cover every Aegon product type. It is safer to contact Aegon directly to ensure the correct team is notified.
Does Tell Us Once notify Aegon?
No. Tell Us Once is a government service that informs central and local government departments – DWP, HMRC, DVLA, the Passport Office, and some councils. Aegon is a private financial institution and is not included. You must contact each Aegon team directly. The Death Notification Service used by UK banks also does not extend to pension providers. (Source: gov.uk – Tell Us Once)
Aegon product types: what you might be claiming
Aegon is unusual among pension providers in that it operates several distinct platforms. What you are claiming – and how you claim it – depends on which product the deceased held.
Workplace pension (Group Personal Pension)
Many employees are auto-enrolled into an Aegon Group Personal Pension (GPP) through their employer. The employer chooses the scheme; the employee builds up a defined contribution pot over time. When the member dies, death benefits are paid at the discretion of the scheme trustees, guided by any expression of wishes (nomination form) on file.
If the deceased died before age 75, the lump sum can usually be paid tax-free to nominated beneficiaries (subject to the lump sum and death benefit allowance – see the tax section below). If they died at age 75 or over, any payment is taxed as income at the recipient’s marginal rate. (Source: gov.uk – tax on a private pension you inherit)
Contact the pensions and bonds team on 03456 100 010 unless the employer’s scheme is held on ARC, in which case use 03456 081 680.
Personal pension and SIPP
Aegon offers personal pensions and a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) on both the Aegon Platform and the ARC platform. The SIPP allows for a wider range of investments including commercial property. The death benefit process mirrors that of workplace pensions: trustees (or Aegon as scheme administrator) pay at their discretion, guided by any nomination form on file.
Uncrystallised funds (money the deceased had not yet started drawing) give beneficiaries the broadest range of options. Crystallised funds (money already in drawdown) also pass to beneficiaries but are handled slightly differently – see the section on death benefit options below.
Aegon Retirement Choices (ARC) and One Retirement
ARC is Aegon’s comprehensive retirement platform, typically accessed through a financial adviser. It can hold a SIPP, ISA, GIA, and onshore bond within a single wrapper. Death benefits for the pension element are handled the same way as a standard SIPP – paid at Aegon’s discretion, guided by nomination. The ISA and GIA elements form part of the estate. Contact the ARC team on 03456 081 680.
One Retirement is a similar platform aimed at clients in or near retirement who want to combine drawdown and annuity income.
Aegon Platform (formerly Cofunds) – ISAs and GIAs
The Aegon Platform hosts individual savings accounts (ISAs) and general investment accounts (GIAs). These sit inside the estate, unlike pensions. When an investor dies:
- ISAs lose their tax-exempt status from the date of death. The funds are moved into an equivalent GIA within the investor’s account while the estate is administered. A surviving spouse or civil partner may be able to make an Additional Permitted Subscription (APS) equal to the value of the deceased’s ISA, preserving the tax shelter. The APS must be claimed within three years of death. (Source: gov.uk – ISAs when the account holder dies)
- GIAs form part of the estate and pass under the will or intestacy rules.
Contact the Aegon Platform team (03456 044 001) for these accounts. Probate may be required before assets can be distributed – see the probate section below.
Annuities in payment
If the deceased was receiving annuity income from an Aegon annuity, payments stop on death. Whether anything passes to a beneficiary depends on the type of annuity purchased:
- A single life annuity simply ends – no further payments.
- A joint life annuity continues to pay a reduced income to the surviving spouse or civil partner, at the percentage set when the annuity was purchased (typically 50%, 67%, or 100%). This income is not affected by the death notification process – Aegon adjusts it automatically once they receive the death certificate.
- An annuity with a guarantee period continues paying until the end of the guaranteed term, even if the annuitant has died, with payments going to the estate or nominated beneficiary. For example, a 10-year guarantee with death after four years means six further years of payments.
- An annuity with a value protection feature (sometimes called annuity protection) returns a lump sum equal to the original purchase amount minus income already paid. This is paid to the nominated beneficiary or estate.
Check the annuity policy documents carefully, as the terms were set at purchase and vary significantly. Contact the pensions and bonds team on 03456 100 010 for annuities.
Death benefit options: lump sum, drawdown, or annuity
For defined contribution pensions (workplace GPP, personal pension, SIPP on any Aegon platform), the beneficiary is not limited to receiving the money as a lump sum. Aegon offers three main options:
1. Lump sum
The entire pension pot is paid out as a cash sum to the nominated beneficiary. This is the simplest option and the most commonly chosen. It ends the pension arrangement. Tax treatment depends on the deceased’s age at death – see the tax section below.
2. Inherited drawdown (beneficiary flexi-access drawdown)
The pension fund is moved into a new drawdown arrangement in the beneficiary’s name, leaving the money invested. The beneficiary can then draw income whenever they choose, at whatever rate they like, with the remainder staying invested. This is often the most tax-efficient option for younger beneficiaries who do not need the money immediately.
For deaths before age 75, income from inherited drawdown is tax-free if the fund is designated within two years of Aegon being notified of the death. For deaths at 75 or over, income is taxed at the recipient’s marginal rate regardless of timing.
Dependants, nominees, and successors can all use inherited drawdown on ARC and the Aegon Platform. The option may not be available on older product types – check with the relevant Aegon team.
3. Annuity purchase
The beneficiary can use the inherited fund to buy an annuity, providing a guaranteed income for life (or for a fixed term). Dependant’s annuities are available for spouses, civil partners, and other financial dependants. Nominee annuities are available for anyone else named on the nomination form.
For deaths before age 75, annuity income is tax-free if the annuity is set up within the two-year window. For deaths at 75 or over, the income is taxable at the recipient’s marginal rate.
Which option is best?
The right choice depends on the beneficiary’s tax position, whether they need income now or later, and whether they want certainty (annuity) or flexibility (drawdown). A financial adviser can model the options. Aegon cannot advise on which to choose – they implement the beneficiary’s decision once Aegon’s trustees have exercised their discretion.
Who can receive an Aegon pension death benefit?
Since April 2015, registered pension schemes can pay death benefits to three categories of people. Aegon uses the same framework.
Dependants include a spouse or civil partner at the date of death, children under 23, children over 23 who have a physical or mental impairment, and any other person who was financially dependent on the member. Cohabiting partners may qualify as dependants if they can demonstrate financial dependency – evidence of shared finances, a joint address, and the nature and duration of the relationship will all be relevant.
Nominees are individuals nominated by the member who are not dependants. Any individual can be a nominee. Nominees have the same payment options as dependants (lump sum, drawdown, annuity). If no dependants exist and no nomination has been made, Aegon as scheme administrator can choose nominees themselves.
Successors are relevant only for inherited drawdown. If a dependant or nominee receives inherited drawdown and later dies without drawing all the funds, the remaining pot can pass to a successor – someone nominated by the original beneficiary. This means pension wealth can pass across multiple generations without being brought back into the estate at each step.
If the deceased had no dependants, no nomination on file, and no obvious successor, Aegon’s trustees may pay the pot to the deceased’s legal personal representative (the estate). This is unusual and slower.
Death in service vs pension death benefit
These are two separate things and it is worth understanding the distinction, because they involve different claims processes and different organisations.
Pension death benefit is the accumulated pot from the deceased’s pension – everything contributed by them and their employer over their working life, plus investment growth. This is what you claim from Aegon. It is held in a discretionary trust and bypasses the estate.
Death in service (also called group life assurance) is a separate employer benefit, usually worth two to four times the deceased’s annual salary at the date of death. It is held in a separate trust by an insurer – which may or may not be Aegon. Even if the deceased’s pension was with Aegon, their employer’s death in service benefit could be with any insurer. Check the employer’s HR documentation, the deceased’s employment contract, or payslips showing a group life deduction.
The two claims are independent. A person with an Aegon workplace pension may also have an employer death in service benefit – these need to be claimed separately.
Expression of wish and nominations
The expression of wishes form (also called a nomination form) is the most important document in the death benefits process. It tells Aegon’s trustees who the member would like to receive their pension pot on death.
Why nominations matter
Because pension trustees hold the money outside the estate, the pension pot does not automatically follow the will. A nomination form is the only way to signal wishes directly. Without one, Aegon must investigate the member’s circumstances, contact next of kin, and make their own assessment – a process that takes longer and may not reflect what the deceased would have wanted.
Nominations should be reviewed whenever circumstances change: marriage, divorce, separation, birth of children, or the death of a previously nominated beneficiary.
Keeping a nomination up to date
An outdated nomination can cause significant problems. If a member nominated a former spouse and never updated the form after divorce, Aegon’s trustees must weigh the competing claims – there is no legal obligation to disregard the old nomination, though they will consider the circumstances. Reviewing the nomination annually is good practice.
If the member split the nomination across multiple beneficiaries (by percentage), beneficiaries can request a reallocation before Aegon exercises its discretion. Once Aegon has made and communicated the decision, reallocation is no longer possible.
Updating a nomination
Aegon provides nomination forms for download on its website: the death benefits nomination form for direct customers. ARC customers have a separate nomination of beneficiaries form. Nominations can also be updated by contacting Aegon directly.
Binding vs non-binding nominations
Most Aegon pension nominations are non-binding: Aegon’s trustees retain discretion, and the nomination is guidance rather than instruction. This is what keeps the pension outside the estate for IHT purposes. Some occupational scheme rules allow binding nominations in limited circumstances – if the deceased was in an occupational scheme administered by Aegon, check the scheme rules. Binding nominations carry different tax implications and should be reviewed with an adviser.
The two-year rule
If Aegon is not notified of a member’s death within two years of the date of death, discretionary lump sum payments may lose their tax-free status (for deaths before age 75) and become subject to income tax. The clock starts from the earlier of the notification date or the date Aegon could reasonably have been expected to know. Notify Aegon promptly after a death, even if you are not ready to make a formal claim. (Source: Aegon – the two-year rule)
Tax treatment of Aegon death benefits
Deaths before age 75
For members who die before the age of 75, pension death benefits can usually be paid tax-free – as a lump sum, as drawdown income, or as annuity income. The key conditions are:
- The payment must be made within two years of Aegon being notified of the death
- The lump sum must be within the deceased’s remaining lump sum and death benefit allowance (LSDBA) of £1,073,100
The LSDBA replaced the lifetime allowance from 6 April 2024. It applies to all registered pensions combined, not just Aegon. If the deceased had already used some of their allowance through previous tax-free cash or other pension events, the remaining LSDBA may be less than £1,073,100. Anything above the remaining allowance is taxed at the recipient’s marginal income tax rate. (Source: Aegon – lump sum and death benefit allowance)
For most people, a pension below £1,073,100 is paid entirely tax-free. Larger pots, or where the deceased also had benefits from other pensions, may be partially taxable.
Deaths at age 75 or over
For members who die at 75 or over, all pension death benefits are taxable at the recipient’s marginal income tax rate, regardless of the form in which they are paid (lump sum, drawdown, or annuity). There is no LSDBA tax-free element – the full amount is income for the recipient.
Payments to non-qualifying persons
If the benefit is paid to a legal entity rather than an individual – such as to the estate when there are no identified beneficiaries – a flat 45% Special Lump Sum Death Benefit Charge applies, deducted by Aegon before payment. This is another reason to ensure a nomination form is on file.
April 2027 – inheritance tax change
Under current rules (for deaths before 6 April 2027), pension pots held in discretionary trust are outside the estate and not subject to inheritance tax. This changes from 6 April 2027: under the Finance Act 2026, unused pension funds and most pension death benefits will become subject to inheritance tax as part of the deceased’s estate for deaths on or after that date. This is a significant change. For estates with large pension pots, it may affect overall inheritance tax liability substantially. Anyone holding a large Aegon pension would be wise to seek advice from a pension specialist or independent financial adviser before that date. (Source: gov.uk – inheritance tax on unused pension funds and death benefits)
Pension death benefits paid to a surviving spouse or civil partner continue to qualify for the full spouse/civil partner exemption regardless of the 2027 changes.
What documents you will need
The documents required depend on the product type and the value of the estate.
| Document | When required |
|---|---|
| Death certificate (original or certified copy) | Always – for all Aegon products. Aegon asks for the original by post and returns it. |
| Completed Aegon claim form | Always – Aegon sends this after initial notification |
| Your proof of identity | For most claims, especially where you are the beneficiary |
| Grant of probate or letters of administration | Required for investment accounts (ISA, GIA) forming part of the estate; not required for pension death benefits paid at discretion |
| Completed expression of wishes form (if available) | Helpful to include if you have it – speeds up the trustees' decision |
| Marriage or civil partnership certificate | May be requested where the claim involves a spouse's entitlement under a joint annuity or joint life arrangement |
| Evidence of financial dependency | May be requested if a cohabiting partner is claiming as a dependant without being named on the nomination form |
Probate and investment accounts
Most Aegon pension products sit outside the estate – Aegon as scheme administrator holds pension funds under a discretionary trust, so probate is not required before the trustees decide to make a payment. This is true for workplace pensions, SIPPs, personal pensions, and ARC pension accounts.
However, investment accounts (ISAs and GIAs on the Aegon Platform) do form part of the estate. If the total non-pension estate value requires probate – which depends on the overall size of the estate and the institution’s own requirements – Aegon will ask to see the grant of probate or letters of administration before releasing these assets.
For small estates, Aegon’s platform has historically worked with a small estate declaration or statutory declaration for lower-value accounts, though thresholds are not published publicly. Speak to the Aegon Platform team (03456 044 001) to understand what they need for a specific estate.
For full guidance on when probate is needed and how to apply, see our guide to what happens to a pension when someone dies and the probate section of this site.
How long it takes
Aegon does not publish specific timeframes, as each case varies by product, complexity, and whether there are competing nominations. Typical timescales in practice:
| Product | Typical timeframe |
|---|---|
| Workplace pension (GPP) – simple case, clear nomination | 4–8 weeks from receipt of all documents |
| Personal pension / SIPP – clear nomination | 4–8 weeks from receipt of all documents |
| SIPP – complex case (multiple beneficiaries, no nomination, large estate) | 3–6 months or longer |
| Annuity in payment – joint life or guaranteed period | 2–4 weeks once death certificate received |
| ISA / GIA on Aegon Platform – probate required | Depends on probate timeline; weeks once grant received |
The two-year rule means it is always worth notifying Aegon quickly, even if you are not yet ready to make a full claim. An early notification preserves the tax position; paperwork can follow.
Things to watch out for
Cofunds vs. Aegon Platform. Before 2017, many adviser-arranged investments were held on Cofunds, a separate platform that Aegon subsequently acquired and rebranded as the Aegon Platform. If the deceased held investments with “Cofunds” appearing on statements from before 2017, these are now part of the Aegon Platform. The contact number is the same (03456 044 001).
Multiple platforms, one company. The deceased may have had both a workplace pension through an employer (on the standard Aegon/Scottish Equitable system) and a SIPP or ISA through an adviser (on the Aegon Platform or ARC). These are separate systems with separate teams. Checking one does not reveal the other – you may need to contact more than one team.
Adviser-placed vs. direct policies. Many Aegon pensions were arranged through a financial adviser rather than directly. If the deceased had an adviser, their firm may have access to the account and can assist with notification and the claim process. If the adviser has since retired or the firm has closed, contact Aegon directly.
No nomination on file. If the deceased never completed an expression of wishes form, Aegon’s trustees must investigate and decide who should receive the pension pot. This takes longer and the trustees will gather evidence about the deceased’s family circumstances. You can help by providing information about dependants and the deceased’s stated wishes, even if not formally documented.
Outdated nominations. If the deceased divorced but never updated their nomination form, the ex-spouse may still be named. Aegon’s trustees will consider the circumstances, but there is no automatic override. If you believe the nomination does not reflect the deceased’s actual wishes, inform Aegon’s bereavement team in writing with any supporting evidence.
Pension tracing. If you are not certain whether the deceased had an Aegon pension, use the Pension Tracing Service (free, via gov.uk) and search for “Aegon” and “Scottish Equitable.” You can also search by former employer name if you know where the deceased worked. For a full walkthrough, see our Pension Tracing Service guide.
Retiready closure. Retiready was Aegon’s direct-to-consumer pension service, launched in 2013 and subsequently wound down. Many Retiready policyholders were migrated to ARC. If statements reference Retiready, contact the ARC team on 03456 081 680.
Aegon Scotland. Aegon’s operational base is Edinburgh (formerly Scottish Equitable). Some branded documents and older policies may use Scottish Equitable branding. The contact numbers and processes are the same.
Summary
Aegon’s breadth of products – workplace pensions, SIPPs, ARC platform accounts, Cofunds/Aegon Platform investments, and annuities – means there may be more than one team to contact. Start with the bereavement page at aegon.co.uk/support/additional-support/bereavements to identify the right contact route, or call the main pensions line on 03456 100 010 if you are unsure which product the deceased held.
For defined contribution pensions, beneficiaries have three options: lump sum, inherited drawdown, or annuity. The right choice depends on the beneficiary’s circumstances. Pension death benefits sit outside the estate and bypass probate in most cases. Act promptly – the two-year rule means delays can affect the tax treatment of any payment.
For related guides, see:
- What happens to a pension when someone dies – the full overview of UK pension death benefits, tax treatment, and probate
- How to notify Hargreaves Lansdown when someone dies – for clients holding HL SIPPs, ISAs, or fund accounts
- How to claim an Aviva pension when someone dies – workplace pensions, personal pensions, and annuities
- How to claim a Standard Life pension when someone dies – for Standard Life pensions, now administered by Phoenix Group
- What to do after a death – the full checklist of organisations to notify