Aegon takes top spot for group pension e-commerce

Finance & Technology Research Centre (F&TRC) has announced the results of its fifth annual e-Excellence study for Group Personal Pensions, with Aegon Scottish Equitable taking top spot.

The study examines how closely e-commerce propositions for this product area meet the needs of IFA and employee benefit consultant (EBC) firms.

The 2009 study analyses the e-commerce propositions of eleven providers and captured the views of leading IFA and EBC firms.

Six providers have retained their triple "e" ratings, the highest achievable award. Aegon Scottish Equitable finished in first place, followed closely by Standard Life and Friends Provident.

A second group of five providers achieved double "e" ratings. Among this group were Aviva jumped from bottom place in 2007 to top of the double "e" section in just two years.

"E-Commerce has become the differentiator for large group schemes. In the current economic climate, it is more important than ever to deliver significant economies to employers through automation and providers are clearly continuing to make significant investment despite these challenging times," says F&TRC director, Ian McKenna.

"These rating provide a clear indicator to benefit consultants, advisers and employers of the firms best placed to meet the challenges of the current economic environment."