Most people do not choose between these; their employer does. But if you are consolidating old pots or weighing a transfer, here is how the charges and reviews actually stack up.
Charges verified July 2026. Pension transfers are a big decision; this is information, not advice.
The charge gap between them is small next to whether you're saving enough at all.
See if you're on trackFree to check. No card required. Takes about two minutes.
Consolidating old pots with a household name, and workplace savers who want to manage everything in one app.
Employees auto-enrolled through work and employers needing a no-fuss compliant scheme.
| Charge | Aviva | Nest |
|---|---|---|
| Annual charge | 0.35% up to £500k on the personal pension (nothing above £500k) | 0.3% annual management charge |
| Workplace scheme charge | Set by your employer's scheme, capped at 0.75% for auto-enrolment defaults | Same 0.3% for all members |
| Fund charges | Typically 0.10% to 0.90% on top, most Aviva funds around 0.35% | Included |
| Contribution charge | None | 1.8% on every contribution paid in |
| Transfers in | Free | Free |
| Drawdown | Included | Limited options at retirement |
The MyAviva app and the convenience of seeing pensions alongside insurance get consistent positive mentions.
Filtering reviews to pensions specifically shows a more mixed picture, with complaints about transfer delays and call wait times.
Read Aviva reviews on TrustpilotMembers and employers value the simplicity, the low ongoing charge and the fact it accepts every employer.
The contribution charge, a dated website and a small fund range are the consistent criticisms in reviews and expert write-ups.
Read Nest reviews on TrustpilotAviva runs pensions for millions of UK employees and offers a self-managed personal pension at 0.35% a year, dropping to nothing above £500,000. For a mainstream provider with full drawdown support, that pricing holds up well.
The experience depends on which Aviva you get. A modern workplace scheme in the app is slick; an older policy inherited through an acquisition may carry higher charges. If you hold an old Aviva pot, checking the actual charge is the single most useful thing you can do.
Nest was set up by the government for auto-enrolment and now looks after more UK pension savers than any other scheme. The 0.3% annual charge is excellent, and the default fund has performed respectably.
The 1.8% contribution charge is the bit people miss: every £100 you pay in, £1.80 goes in charges before it is invested. It is not a reason to opt out, and for most members Nest remains decent value, but higher earners consolidating large sums elsewhere first may save money.
A small charge difference is worth optimising. Knowing whether you are saving enough in the first place is worth far more. Delphina models your pensions, ISAs and investments and tells you where you actually stand.
Free to check. No card required. Takes about two minutes.