Could pensions be one of the hottest evolving markets?
Ahead of our autumn benchmark of workplace pensions, we’ve taken a look at the scale and variety of releases across the market in 2026 to date. Data has been drawn from Radar, our competitor listening tool and includes 10 of the leading workplace pensions providers.
So far this year we’ve seen a staggering:
- 2,117 market updates
- 117 feature updates
- 74 launch announcements
Some providers are highly active across their channels. But does this put them at the top of the pack for product experience? Not necessarily.
We know that many product-led providers will be shipping new features on a regular basis – weekly in some cases.
With regular iterative changes, some releases will include bug fixes or optimise for performance, whilst others will refine the customer experience.
How to spot a major release
Major releases are often accompanied by press releases and evidence based marketing comms.
But beware the claims! We often see a major gap between how companies describe their digital products & what’s really going on with the user experience behind-the-login.
Radar also reminds us that we’ve seen some BIG market announcements so far this year:
- Standard Life agreed to acquire Aegon UK for £2 billion
- Legal & General launched the Decades Ahead programme
- Aviva introduced a solution for transferring DB pension surpluses
- + lots more reported
Shaping the user experience
What will the latest releases mean for the end customer & their experience with these providers?
The data gives offers an indication of:
- Innovative features that may be raising the bar
- Momentum among some providers
- Headline announcements across the market
- Emerging themes and trends across the industry
So how does this translate into the user experience?
- The ability to change pension investments
- Clarity around connecting and combining third-party pensions
- A new notification centre for important updates and features
- Access to annuity and retirement income products within the app
- And drawdown members can now view details of their regular income payments, including dates, frequency, and amounts
L&G isn’t alone.
Radar data suggests that the first half of 2026 was defined by a push towards more personalised retirement support, broader investment choice and stronger digital servicing.
Let’s present the evidence
This autumn we’ll be going behind-the-login & sharing our unbiased view of the customer experience for the leading workplace pensions providers. This is an update on the market-first report we launched in 2025.
When we review the 10 apps side by side will we see tools that help members to discover old pensions?
Guided support around retirement decisions?
Signposting to adjacent services?
And how much will be powered by AI?
What’s your prediction?
