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: SCPF Drawdown Lifestyle Profile. This has been chosen by Standard Chartered and their adviser and the Trustees as a good option for most people in the company.

 Member Guide (PDF 703KB) Standard Life are not responsible for the accuracy of the content in this document.

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

  • Charges

    1.15%
     

    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.

  • Discount

    0.80%
     

    Standard Chartered has arranged this plan rebate for you. You will still benefit from it even if you leave your job.

  • What you pay

    0.35%*
    *Subject to rounding

    This is the effective total annual fund charge you'd pay if your plan was invested in the growth stage of the default option.

This information is correct as at May 2025. 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  Member Guide (PDF 703KB) Standard Life are not responsible for the accuracy of the content in this document.

For more information about the underlying funds the SCPF Drawdown Lifestyle Profile invests in, see the individual fund factsheets:

Choosing your own investments

After the first payment has been made to your plan, you can choose from a range of investment options if you want to change from the low-involvement option. The right option for you will depend on various factors, such as your circumstances, experience of investing and attitude to risk.

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 that could help you decide which option might be right for you. However, there are other factors you should consider, like when you plan to retire and the type of investments you are comfortable with.

Or if you want to get a head start, you can read the  Member Guide (PDF 703KB) Standard Life are not responsible for the accuracy of the content in this document. for more information about the different funds you can choose from and potential charges. Remember to regularly review your choices, especially if your circumstances change.

Responsible and Sharia-compliant investment options

You can find out more about the Standard Life approach to responsible investing, including Sharia-compliant options on the Investment Guidance page.

You can usually only choose your own investments after your first contribution has been paid into your plan’s default investment option.


Available funds

Other Lifestyle profiles

As well as the SCPF Drawdown Lifestyle Profile, Standard Chartered also offers two other lifestyle profiles: the SCPF Lump Sum Lifestyle Profile and the SCPF Annuity Lifestyle Profile. These profiles invest in the following funds:

Stand-alone funds

You can also invest from a range of 17 stand-alone funds as listed below:


Alternative option for a wider range of investment choice

If you would like access to a wider range of investments, you can join the Standard Chartered Flexible Retirement Plan - a Group Flexible Retirement Plan provided by Phoenix Life Limited, trading as Standard Life.

To contribute into this plan, you will be able to partially transfer funds from your existing Investor Plan in one of three different ways:

  • Fixed Payment – You can agree to pay a monetary amount out of the Investor Plan as long as a minimum of £100 is retained.
  • Fixed Percentage – You can agree to pay a percentage of your holdings in the Investor Plan as long as a minimum of £100 is retained.
  • Maximum Fund Balance – lastly, you can agree to transfer the maximum amount from your Investor Plan which would leave £100 retained in the scheme

If you wish to proceed with one of these options you must contact the Standard Life Claims Team on 0345 271 9538 and complete the ‘partial concession form’. Your options will be discussed in full with you before you can proceed. It is important to understand if this is the right option for you.

It's important you make an informed decision so you should read the key documents provided below. You might want to speak to Financial Adviser to help you decide if this option is right for you.

To find out more about joining this scheme, please contact askhr@sc.com.

Want more investment choice? Upgrade to a GSIPP

You have the opportunity to upgrade to 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.

Got other pensions?

It's likely that you've paid into more than one pension pot if you've had more than one job. Combining your pots could make things easier to manage and help you save on fees.

Use our tool to compare your charges

Explore investments

Once you've joined your pension plan, you can use your plan number to register online. This will give you access to your online account.

Here you can make changes to your plan, and find guides and videos that will help you understand your investments.

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