Standard Life Pension Funds

Active sustainability leaders with strong retirement income focus

Standard Life in Ireland operates through SLAL (Standard Life Assurance Ltd), with investments managed by abrdn - a dedicated active asset manager. Known for their sustainability-integrated approach and "Second Life" retirement proposition, they offer a focused range emphasising quality active management.

Full review

Funds tracked

Risk Rating Scale

Standard Life uses a volatility rating calculated using the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) guidelines. The scale uses a seven-point system (1 being the lowest, 7 being the highest) based on five-year annualised volatilities.

The volatility rating indicates how much the fund price might move compared to other funds. The higher the volatility rating, the less stable the fund price is likely to be. Higher volatility ratings typically mean greater potential investment returns over the longer term, but high-volatility funds can suddenly fall or rise in value.

Volatility ratings are regularly reviewed and may change over time. The rating may also change if the volatility of the assets in which the fund invests changes.

About Standard Life

Key Considerations

Published AMCs (0.90–0.95%): The Annual Management Charge is the yearly percentage fee deducted from your fund value. Pricing is transparent and visible upfront
Global Index range (Vanguard): Five passive multi-asset funds at different equity/bond splits (20/40/60/80/100% equity). Passive (index-tracking) funds aim to match a market index rather than beat it, typically at lower cost
Two distinct fund manager approaches: Aberdeen (active, ESG-focused) and Vanguard (passive, index-tracking)
"Second Life" retirement framework: Structured planning for lump sum, annuity, and ARF options. An ARF (Approved Retirement Fund) keeps your pension invested after retirement while allowing flexible withdrawals
Article 9 Impact Fund: Classified under EU regulation as having sustainable investment as its primary objective - the strongest sustainability commitment available
Execution-only stockbroking: Direct share dealing available alongside fund investments
MyFolio Market funds: Risk-rated options with passive underlying holdings

Investment Approach

Standard Life delegates all investment management to third-party managers:

Aberdeen Investments (abrdn): Manages the majority of funds. Global specialist asset manager with professionals in 25+ locations. Manages active equity, ESG screened, sustainable, and impact funds.

Vanguard: Established provider of index fund management since 1976. Manages the Global Index fund range, Standard Life Vanguard range, and passive underlying funds of MyFolio Market funds.

Manager governance:

All new asset managers must be UN PRI signatories
Annual ESG due diligence on all current managers
Managers failing to meet responsible investment standards are put on notice with potential mandate termination
ESG assessment covers: integration, stewardship policy, staff expertise, regulatory awareness, global forum membership, governance/reporting

Fund Range

The SFDR column shows each fund's EU sustainability classification: Article 6 funds consider sustainability risks, Article 8 funds promote environmental or social characteristics, and Article 9 funds have sustainable investment as their primary objective. AMC is the Annual Management Charge - the yearly percentage fee deducted from your fund value.

Global Index Funds (Vanguard, Passive)

We track 12 global index funds from Standard Life. Multi-asset funds invest across several asset classes (equities, bonds, property, and cash) within a single fund. The fund manager decides the allocation based on the target risk level.

Fund	1Y	5Y	10Y
Standard Life Managed	+13.57%	+32.36%	+92.82%
Standard Life MyFolio Active III	+9.68%	+18.08%	+47.77%
Standard Life MyFolio Active II	+7.01%	+8.28%	+28.05%
Standard Life Cautious Managed	+9.12%	+13.50%	+40.88%
Standard Life MyFolio Active IV	+12.62%	+26.54%	+66.52%
Standard Life MyFolio Active I	+3.78%	+0.57%	+12.24%
Standard Life MyFolio Market IV	+17.43%	+46.69%	+108.46%
Standard Life MyFolio Market II	+9.91%	+19.38%	+47.72%
Standard Life MyFolio Market III	+13.50%	+32.89%	+77.38%
Standard Life MyFolio Active V	+14.15%	+32.69%	+81.20%
Standard Life MyFolio Market I	+5.89%	+8.33%	+23.49%
Standard Life MyFolio Market V	+19.51%	+56.53%	+134.44%

60+ countries, 10 equity sectors, 17,000+ holdings. Continuously rebalanced. Minimum 5-year horizon recommended.

ESG / Sustainable Funds (Aberdeen, Active)

We track 1 esg / sustainable funds from Standard Life. ESG and sustainable funds integrate environmental, social, and governance factors into investment decisions, aiming to deliver returns alongside positive impact.

Fund	1Y	5Y	10Y
Standard Life Global Equity Impact Fund	+4.55%	+4.49%	-

The Global Equity Impact Fund is classified as Article 9 under SFDR.

Other Ranges

MyFolio Market funds: Risk-rated, passive underlying (Vanguard)
Standard Life Vanguard range: Direct Vanguard access
Deposits: Available alongside fund investments
Execution-only stockbroking: Direct share dealing

ESG / Responsible Investment

ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance - a framework for evaluating companies on climate impact, working conditions, and corporate ethics. Standard Life's ESG approach is structured around four categories:

Four categories of ESG investing (clearly defined):

Ethical/Values-based: Exclude unethical industries (tobacco, gambling, armaments, animal testing)
Sustainable: Screen on ESG risk management, exclude worst performers, engage for improvement
Thematic: Invest in companies benefiting from ESG trends (green energy, battery tech, water)
Impact: Measurable positive environmental/social impact alongside financial returns

Six-part responsible investment framework: Strategy → Customer Voice → Asset Manager Selection → Active Stewardship → Disclosure/Reporting → Industry Leadership

Exclusions (group policy, introduced 2022):

Controversial weapons
Thermal coal (revenue threshold)
Oil sands (revenue threshold)
Arctic drilling
Tobacco producers
Thresholds expected to tighten and excluded sectors to widen over time

Stewardship:

Direct climate engagement programme: 25 companies in high transition risk sectors
Phoenix Group Global Voting Principles - asset managers expected to align
Collaborative memberships: UN PRI, IIGCC, Climate Action 100+, Paris Aligned Investment Initiative, Green Finance Institute
UK Stewardship Code signatory
ESG research: S&P, Sustainalytics, ISS

Net Zero by 2050: Phoenix Group transition plan. Engagement-first approach - exclusion as escalation tool for decarbonisation.

Retirement Options ("Second Life")

Standard Life's "Second Life" retirement planning framework:

Three options (can be combined):

Lump sum: Up to 25% of fund (first €200,000 tax-free; €200,001–€500,000 taxed at 20%)
Annuity: Guaranteed income for life (open market option - shop around for best rate)
ARF (Approved Retirement Fund): Keep your pension invested after retirement with flexible withdrawals - income is not guaranteed
Vested PRSA: Similar to an ARF but using your existing PRSA account

Mandatory withdrawals (ARF/Vested PRSA):

Minimum annual withdrawal required from age 61
Rate increases at age 71
Higher rate if combined ARF/Vested PRSA assets exceed €2 million

Tax treatment on payments:

Income Tax (20%/40%)
PRSI (where applicable)
USC
LPT adjustment (where applicable)

Retirement ages: Vary by product type. Pension consolidation guidance available.

Charges

Published AMCs:

Global Index range: 0.95% per annum
ESG equity/bond funds (Aberdeen): 0.90% per annum
Other charges may apply at scheme/policy level

Page content last reviewed 13 July 2026. Fund performance data is updated daily.

Frequently asked questions about Standard Life pensions

Standard Life offers Global Index Funds (20/40/60/80/100, managed by Vanguard, passive, Article 6), ESG and Sustainable funds (managed by Aberdeen/abrdn, actively managed), a Global Equity Impact Fund (Article 9), and the MyFolio Market range. All investment management is delegated to Aberdeen (abrdn) and Vanguard.

Standard Life publishes transparent AMCs. The Global Index range carries an AMC of 0.95% per annum, and ESG equity and bond funds carry 0.90% per annum. These are among the few publicly stated pension fund charges in the Irish market.

Standard Life offers four ESG categories: Ethical, Sustainable, Thematic, and Impact. Their Global Equity Impact Fund is classified as Article 9 under SFDR. Exclusions cover controversial weapons, thermal coal, oil sands, arctic drilling, and tobacco. Phoenix Group (Standard Life's parent) targets Net Zero by 2050.

The Global Index range comprises five funds (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100) representing different equity allocations. They are passively managed by Vanguard, providing broad global diversification at a published AMC of 0.95% per annum.

The Global Equity Impact Fund is classified as Article 9 under SFDR, meaning it has sustainable investment as its objective. It is actively managed by Aberdeen and invests in companies making measurable positive environmental or social contributions.

Standard Life provides an online portal at standardlife.ie, a Retirement Hub calculator for planning, fund factsheets, and the PayPath payslip integration system for employer contributions.

Standard Life requires all new investment managers to be UN PRI signatories. They conduct annual ESG due diligence on all managers and retain the power to terminate mandates that do not meet governance standards.