Provider comparison
NEST vs Aviva
Side-by-side comparison from the PerkIQ directory. Cover, pricing, regulator status, and fit at a glance.
Category
Pension & Retirement
Pension & Retirement
Best for
Any size
20-10,000+ employees
Pricing model
Free for employer; 1.8% contribution charge + 0.3% AMC
0.4-0.75% AMC; some employer charges
UK presence
Since 2010
Since 2000 (as Aviva)
Regulator
TPR
FCA-authorised
Strapline
NEST (National Employment Savings Trust) is the government-backed master trust set up to support auto-enrolment. Free for employers, simple to use, and the default choice for many UK SMEs.
Aviva is one of the UK's largest workplace pension providers, offering Group Personal Pension (GPP) schemes alongside group risk products. A strong choice for SMEs wanting a trusted brand and bundled benefits.
What's included
- Free for employers. No setup or ongoing employer fees. Member charges fund the entire scheme.
- Government-backed. Public service obligation means NEST cannot refuse any employer, making it the universal fallback for auto-enrolment.
- Multiple default fund options. Higher Risk Fund, Lower Risk Fund, Ethical Fund, and Sharia Fund all available to members.
- Payroll integrations. Direct integrations with all major UK payroll providers for automated contribution submission.
- Group Personal Pension (GPP). Auto-enrolment-ready workplace pension with default and self-select fund ranges, plus drawdown at retirement.
- Group Life Insurance. Death-in-service cover from 2x to 10x salary, often bundled at favourable rates alongside the pension scheme.
- Income protection. Replaces a portion of salary if an employee is unable to work due to illness or injury. Strong rehabilitation support.
- Bundled risk products. Single-supplier convenience across pension, life cover, income protection, and critical illness, with consolidated admin.
Who it's for
- Any employer needing a reliable default: NEST is government-backed and has a public service obligation to accept every employer.
- Lower-paid or high-turnover workforces: no employer charge and universal acceptance make it a common choice for these teams.
- Employers prioritising security and simplicity: a proven, large-scale master trust over a polished member app.
- Employers wanting an engagement-led experience: the member app is more functional than slick.
- Those wanting wide fund choice: NEST's fund range is deliberately limited.
Not stated
At a glance
- TPR authorised
- Government-backed
- 12m+ members
- 1m+ employer schemes
- Free for employers
- Any size eligible
- FCA authorised & regulated
- FTSE 100 listed
- 16m UK customers
- 2m+ workplace pension members
- Bundled risk products available
- Broker channel preferred for SMEs
Pick the right one with data, not a sales pitch
Score your benefits stack with PerkIQ and you'll see which of these (or another provider entirely) closes the biggest gaps for your team.
Information on this page is editorial, gathered from public sources and the providers' own materials, and does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation. For a quote, contact each provider directly or speak to an FCA-authorised broker. PerkIQ is not a reseller and earns no commission on provider sign-ups.
