Aegon

How ethical and sustainable is Aegon? 

The Good Shopping Guide’s Ethical Pensions Ratings Table includes Aegon. Aegon has yet to achieve our ethical criteria, but we hope that in the future it will make the significant improvements required to become an ethical business.

More information on the necessity of ethical pension providers may be found in The Good Shopping Guide to Ethical Pension Companies. Then, in our Ethical Pension Rating Table, compare it to other Pension providers.

What does Aegon do?

Aegon, a part of the Aegon Group is an international provider of life insurance, pensions and asset management. The brand started in 1831 as Scottish Equitable and in 1998 Aegon N.V. increased their stake to 100%, rebranding to Aegon in 2009. The brand launched Retiready a pension provider allowing people to take control of their own pension planning.

For which criteria does Aegon perform poorly? 

Aegon received a low rating for Environmental Destruction, Irresponsible Lending, Political Donations and Responsible Investment Policy.

Aegon has over £10 million of bonds in multiple environmentally destructive companies which you can read about here and Aegon was also criticised in the past for investing in polluting tar sand companies.

In terms of Irresponsible Lending, Aegon was criticised for contributing millions in bonds or underwriting to nuclear weapons companies.

In what areas does Aegon score well for its ethics?
Unfortunately, Aegon does not receive a top rating in any of our research categories.

However, Aegon does receive a middle rating for Environmental Report and Carbon Disclosure & Reduction Targets, which means the company has demonstrated some commitment to improving its environmental record and carbon footprint.

How can Aegon improve its ethical rating?

The Ethical Rating of a brand is divided into three categories by The Good Shopping Guide: People, Animals and the Environment.

Aegon may improve its rating and fulfil our fundamental ethical requirements by assessing its donations policy and ensuring that the brand only finances to companies that follow an ethical standard.

Why not check out The Good Shopping Guide’s Ethical Accreditation for your brand or company? This certification of sustainability and ethics has benefited the Pension provider Aviva, and includes the prestige of using our Ethical Mark, independent verification of ethical marketing statements and advice and guidance on the future of your CSR and sustainability policies. Get in touch or apply for Ethical Accreditation to begin the process.