Royal London remains the most recommended personal pension provider in early 2026, as the industry navigates AI adoption, adviser training gaps, and product modernisation efforts amid evolving advice practices.
Royal London remained the most frequently recommended personal pension among advisers in the first half of 2026, according to new Defaqto data, with Aviva and Quilter holding second and third place respectively. The three providers were said to have maintained broadly similar shares of recommendations to 2025, while the Prudential Retirement Account also remained among the most widely suggested products. Together, the four plans accounted for a substantial share of personal pension business tracked through Defaqto Engage.
Royal London’s continued lead comes as the mutual continues to promote its personal pension range as a flexible way to build retirement savings, with contributions that can be varied over time and online access for monitoring investments. The provider, which says it has served around 2 million customers and shared £199 million of profits with eligible members in April 2026, has positioned its pension as one of the core products available through financial advisers.
Elsewhere in the market, the Chartered Insurance Institute warned that the industry risks moving too quickly on artificial intelligence without enough staff understanding to challenge how the technology is being used. In its Responsible AI: from policy to practice report, the CII said a “critical AI fluency gap” across insurance and personal finance could undermine responsible adoption and weaken firms’ ability to govern AI properly. The professional body said the report was informed by discussions in June with representatives from chartered firms, technology groups, academia and other professional organisations.
The CII has been pressing the case for stronger training and oversight as financial services firms expand their use of AI. In a separate response to the Financial Conduct Authority’s work on advanced AI, it argued that good consumer outcomes depend not just on technology, but on advisers and managers applying judgement, curiosity, customer focus and ethical thinking. The body has also backed the Financial Services Skills Compact, a joint initiative intended to help firms upskill staff, widen talent pipelines and report progress annually.
Stonebridge, meanwhile, said it had revamped its protection sourcing and advice process after more than 4,000 hours of development and testing. The mortgage and protection network has rolled out changes to its wholly owned adviser platform, Revolution, following member feedback. The upgrades, which went live on 11 August, are designed to let advisers shape protection recommendations more closely around existing client data and budget constraints.
The broader picture is one of an advice market balancing continuity with change: established pension brands continue to dominate recommendation lists, while firms across the sector are under pressure to modernise how they work without losing control of the advice process.
- https://www.moneymarketing.co.uk/news/the-morning-briefing-royal-london-tops-adviser-personal-pension-recommendations-cii-warns-ai-skills-gap-could-undermine-adoption/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.royallondon.com/pensions/personal-pensions/ – Royal London offers a range of personal pension plans designed to provide flexibility and control over retirement savings. Their personal pensions allow individuals to contribute varying amounts at different times, with the option to adjust contributions as needed. The plans include features such as online access for monitoring investments and integrated drawdown options, enabling retirees to access their pension savings as income while keeping the remaining funds invested. Royal London has been a trusted provider since 1861, serving approximately 2 million customers as of 2024. Additionally, in April 2026, they shared £199 million of their profits with around 2.4 million eligible customers through their ProfitShare scheme, demonstrating their commitment to customer ownership and mutuality. The company is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), ensuring compliance with UK financial regulations. Their personal pension products are available through financial advisers, providing tailored advice to meet individual needs and circumstances. For more information, visit their personal pensions page.
- https://www.cii.co.uk/news-insight/media/press-releases/articles/cii-welcomes-financial-services-skills-compact/0c31751d-51e9-4e98-9b5d-6139a1ca1a4a – The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has welcomed the launch of the Financial Services Skills Compact (FSSC), a collaborative agreement between the government, the Financial Services Skills Commission, and firms across the UK financial services sector. The FSSC aims to address skills gaps by encouraging firms to upskill staff in artificial intelligence (AI) and other critical areas, develop talent pipelines, and report annually on progress. Over 20 financial services organisations, collectively employing more than 250,000 people, have committed to the FSSC. This initiative underscores the industry’s recognition of the need for enhanced AI fluency to ensure responsible and effective use of AI technologies within financial services. For more details, refer to the CII’s press release.
- https://www.cii.co.uk/news-insight/media/press-releases/articles/cii-response-to-fca-mills-review/6b9fdea6-7df7-4c10-a418-4a78cf5924f6 – The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has responded to the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) call for input on the implications of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) on consumers, retail financial markets, and regulators. The CII’s response emphasizes the importance of both human and technological capacities in achieving good consumer outcomes. It highlights that while AI can enhance many behaviours and technical skills required in financial services, professionals must apply behaviours such as curiosity, customer focus, and ethical thinking to effectively manage AI. The CII also underscores the role of professional bodies in collaborating with government and regulators to ensure that the shift towards AI prioritizes consumer outcomes. For more information, see the CII’s response to the FCA’s review.
- https://www.cii.co.uk/news-insight/news/articles/insurance-professionals-identify-skills-and-knowledge-gap/96431bc5-a875-460b-b42a-98abc50c8087 – A survey conducted by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) revealed that 30% of insurance professionals consider acquiring the right skills and knowledge to best serve customers as their biggest challenge. The survey, which included 280 insurance professionals, identified emerging risks such as cyber threats, climate change-induced weather catastrophes, and business interruptions due to events like COVID-19 and Brexit as significant hurdles. Additionally, 20% of respondents cited regulatory changes, including adjustments to product pricing practices, as major obstacles. The findings highlight the pressing need for continuous professional development and adaptation to evolving industry challenges. For more details, refer to the CII’s article on the survey findings.
- https://www.cii.co.uk/news-insight/media/press-releases/articles/cii-ends-gap-filling-for-advisers/96393 – The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) announced the end of the ‘gap-filling’ option for financial advisers applying for a Statement of Professional Standing (SPS) from the end of August 2021. This decision means that advisers must now meet the minimum Level 4 qualifications required under the Financial Conduct Authority’s Retail Distribution Review rules without relying on Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to fill any gaps. The change aims to ensure that all practising advisers possess the necessary qualifications to provide competent advice to clients. For more information, see the CII’s press release on the matter.
- https://www.cii.co.uk/news-insight/media/press-releases/articles/cii-aims-to-close-customer-expectation-gap/8eb6ae8c-54f7-4582-8147-dadc5d978a80 – The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has issued guidance to help insurance professionals bridge the expectation gap between what customers anticipate from insurance products and what these products deliver. The guide emphasizes the application of the CII’s Code of Ethics to ensure that customers fully understand the extent of cover and services offered. It advocates for clear communication before, during, and after the point of sale, and outlines five key actions for professionals to enhance clarity and address any ambiguities in product offerings. For more details, refer to the CII’s article on closing the customer expectation gap.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
6
Notes:
The article references data from the first half of 2026, which is current. However, similar information about Royal London’s position in personal pension recommendations has been reported in previous articles from 2025, such as those published in September 2025 ([moneymarketing.co.uk](https://www.moneymarketing.co.uk/news/royal-london-leads-personal-pension-market-as-aviva-dominates-sipps/?utm_source=openai)) and February 2025 ([moneymarketing.co.uk](https://www.moneymarketing.co.uk/news/royal-london-tops-list-of-defaqtos-top-10-personal-pension-plans/?utm_source=openai)). This suggests that the core information may be recycled, potentially affecting the freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
5
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) regarding the AI skills gap. However, without access to the original CII report, it’s challenging to verify the exact wording and context of these quotes. This lack of verification raises concerns about the authenticity and accuracy of the quoted statements.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The article is published on Money Marketing, a UK-based financial news website. While Money Marketing is a known publication in the financial sector, it is not as widely recognised as major outlets like the Financial Times or BBC. Additionally, the article references data from Defaqto, a reputable financial product rating agency. However, without direct access to the original Defaqto data or reports, it’s difficult to fully assess the reliability of the information presented.
Plausibility check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about Royal London leading personal pension recommendations align with previous reports from 2025. The concerns raised by the CII about AI skills gaps are also plausible, given the increasing integration of AI in the financial sector. However, the lack of direct access to the original CII report and Defaqto data makes it challenging to fully verify the accuracy of these claims.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): REVIEW
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article presents current data on Royal London’s position in personal pension recommendations and highlights concerns about AI skills gaps in the financial sector. However, the reliance on secondary sources without direct access to primary data from Defaqto and the CII raises concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the information presented. Additionally, similar information has been reported in previous articles from 2025, suggesting potential recycling of content. Given these factors, a thorough review and independent verification of the claims are recommended before publication.