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Managing my AVC Extra

When you pay into AVC Extra, your additional contributions (known as AVCs) are paid into your pot (or Personal Retirement Account). Your AVC Extra pot is held separate to your main Fund pension and any BRASS pots you may have.

Checking the value of your AVC Extra pot

Your AVC Extra pot is invested in a range of funds with the aim of helping it grow over time. 

You should regularly monitor your AVC Extra fund choices and make sure you understand all of the options available. You can see the overall value of your pot when you log in to your myFund account and go to the My Pension area and Funds page.

The value of your pot, shown on the page, is based on the most recent unit price. You can find the unit price on the prices and performance page. It will not be the actual value of your pot on that current day but will be the most recent figure available.

There may also be circumstances in which daily trading needs to be suspended in order to protect your savings.

Getting an estimate of your AVC Extra pot

You can request an estimate of your AVC Extra pot. To do this, log in to your myFund account.

Make sure you are viewing your AVC Extra record by using the blue Switch Scheme bar on the top of your screen. Then go to the My Pension area of your myFund account and select the Request an Estimate page.

You can also watch our short video explaining how to request an estimate below.

Cut-out - Joining the fund 02

Video: How to request an estimate

Watch this short video for a run through of the process of requesting an estimate in your myFund account.

Checking and changing your investment funds

 It’s important to check your AVC Extra investment funds regularly to make sure they're working for you. The easiest way to do this is to log in to your myFund account. Make sure you have selected to view your AVC Extra record, then go to the My Pension area of your account and select the Funds page.

 You can choose to invest into one or more of the Lifestyle strategies, which means  your funds will be managed on your behalf. You can alternatively choose to invest in investment funds, where you would manage your own investments, or a mix of Lifestyle strategies and investment funds.

 In both cases, you can log in to your myFund account to:

  •  change your current fund holdings
  • change which funds your AVCs will be paid to in future, or
  • change both current and future funds
When you select one of these options, you can then allocate the percentage you would like to invest.

You can learn more about all the funds available on the AVC Extra fund choices page.

You can also read more about the differences between Lifestyle strategies and investment funds on the how investments work page.

You may want to speak to an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) before making any decisions. You can find out more on the guidance and advice page.

Checking and changing your Target Retirement Age (TRA)

 If you're invested in a Lifestyle strategy, you should check your Target Retirement Age (TRA), regularly in case your plans change.

 Your TRA is the age when you plan to apply for your pension. It’s important because it triggers an automatic process 10 years before you retire to make sure your funds are put into lower risk investments. 

 Your minimum TRA is 50, 55 or 57, depending on when you joined the Fund and whether you have a Protected Pension Age (PPA). Your maximum TRA is 75. This could be earlier or later than your Section's Normal Retirement Age (NRA), which is usually between 60 and 65.

 If you don't choose a TRA yourself, then your NRA may be used instead, however this isn’t always the case. You can check your NRA in your Member Guide. You can find the Guide when you log in to your log in to your myFund account.

 Not choosing a TRA may also mean your pot could be invested in funds that don't suit your needs.

 You can set, check, and change, your TRA when you log in to your myFund account. Go to ‘My Pension’ then ‘Funds’ and 'Change Target Retirement Age.'

Limits on what you can pay into AVC Extra

You should also be mindful of your tax limits when considering how much to pay into AVC Extra.

You can read more about the Annual Allowances, as well as more general information about AVC Extra contributions and the impact of making changes in the guide for AVC Extra members.

Changing your contributions and making a one-off payment

 You can increase, reduce or stop your AVC Extra contributions at any time.

 You need to speak to your employer directly to change your AVC Extra contributions. If you'd like to make a one-off payment (also known as a top-up), email us at oneoffcontribution@railpen.com and we will take you through the process.

 Please check the guide for AVC Extra members for more information.

 You might want to speak to an independent financial advisor about managing your AVC Extra pot and making the most of your pension savings. You find more information on the guidance and advice page.