Penfold partners with BlackRock and HSBC, to protect and grow your savings over the long term through a wide range of low cost investments around the world.
Standard Plans
We offer four different risk levels, ranging from the least risky that contains a low proportion of your money invested in equities (stocks & shares), increasing to the most risky level which contains a higher proportion of your money invested in equities.
Level 1 This may be preferable to those closer to retirement within the next 10 years because it is the lowest risk level, with less of your pension invested in equity (stocks and shares) and therefore has a lower chance of your pension decreasing in value just before you retire.
Level 2 This may be preferable to those midway from retiring (10-15 years), as this is a low-middle risk level, where there is some more growth potential and risk as slightly more is invested in the stock market.
Level 3 This may be preferable to those who are longer away from retiring (over 15 years), and is a middle-high risk level where the growth potential and risk is higher as a slightly larger percent of your money is invested in the stock market. This may be preferable for someone younger because they have more time to make up any market ups and downs in their pension before they retire.
Level 4 This may be preferable to those who are over 20 years away from retiring as it is a high risk level, where there could be significant high growth but also large market ups and downs along the way, where the majority of your pension is invested in the stock market. This level may be preferable to younger people typically because they have a longer way until they retire, so any dramatic market drops can be overcome over many years, allowing a more gradual upward trajectory.
Of course you can choose which risk option you are most comfortable with and can change it at any time.
Sustainable Plans
We offer three different sustainable investment plans, ranging in risk. Our sustainable plans invest in companies with the highest ESG rating:
Reduce carbon emission intensity of its investments by 30% compared to pension plans with a similar mix of stocks and bonds
Invest at least 80% of stocks and bonds in sustainable strategies and governments with a sovereign ESG rating of BB or higher
Our sustainable plans range from the least risky option that contain a low proportion of your money invested in equities (stocks & shares), increasing to more risky levels which contains a higher proportion of your money invested in equities.
Sustainable Level 1: This may be preferable to those who are closer to retirement within the next 10 years because it is the lowest risk level, with less of your pension invested in equity (stocks and shares) and therefore has a lower chance of your pension decreasing in value just before you retire.
Sustainable Level 3: This may be preferable to those who are longer away from retiring (over 15 years), and is a middle-high risk level where the growth potential and risk is higher as a slightly larger percent of your money is invested in the stock market. This may be preferable for someone younger because they have more time to make up any market ups and downs in their pension before they retire.
Sustainable Level 5: This is our most high-risk investment options. This may be preferable to those who are over 20 years away from retiring, where there could be significant high growth but also large market ups and downs along the way, where the majority of your pension is invested in the stock market. This level may be preferable to younger people typically because they have a longer way until they retire, so any dramatic market drops can be overcome over many years, allowing a more gradual upward trajectory.
Lifetime Plans
We offer a standard Lifetime Plan, or a Sustainable Lifetime Plan, which both automatically adjust to your age. These plans have similar risk levels to the Standard and Lifetime plans, but are perfect for those who are new to investing - or just want a ‘set-and-forget' approach.
They aim to grow your savings early on, before automatically switching you to a lower risk plan as you approach retirement - helping to protect your savings for any dips, while also combating any rises in the cost of living.
Shariah Plan
Our Shariah compliant fund is managed by HSBC, and also matches our four fundamental principles of investing: passive investing, broad diversification, low cost and managed risk.
It invests only in companies that are compliant with Shariah law. As a 100% equity investment, meaning that the entire fund is invested in stocks and shares, it carries the highest level of risk and potential returns, compared to our other Standard and Sustainable funds, but it's a great option for those looking for a socially responsible way to invest their money under Shariah law, without compromising growth.
Investments overview
Please note that no investment is risk free – taking risk should help your savings grow over the long term. BlackRock add an extra layer of ‘risk management’ for your money though, which should help protect it in times when global investment markets are less stable. This should give you the peace of mind to leave your investments in place for many years and not have to check them from day to day.
BlackRock invest your money in line with their MyMap strategy, which is specifically designed for long term retirement savings. It is low cost, broadly diversified, and built to react to the market, so that the ups and downs should be within the level of risk you are comfortable with.
Read more on our How your savings are invested blog.