Future Opportunities Universal SLP is Standard Life’s evolution of our investment approach.
It aims to improve members’ net long-term outcomes by bringing together public and private markets in a single, well-governed solution. Employers and trustees can take confidence from an approach built for today’s workplace pensions.
Enabling access to private markets for members
Members saving into workplace pensions invest over decades, which makes access to a broader range of investment opportunities increasingly important.
Alongside their public equivalents, private market investments play a valuable role by
- supporting long-term growth opportunities for members
- expanding the range of investment opportunities beyond public assets like listed equities and bonds
- improving diversification, helping manage portfolio risk
- aligning portfolios more closely with the real economy.
Future Opportunities is designed to introduce private assets in a phased, considered way that’s appropriate for default pension strategies.
A phased approach
Future Opportunities is designed to evolve over time, balancing flexibility with strong governance. The strategy starts with no allocation to private assets. Exposure is introduced gradually over time, increasing in a measured way as the solution evolves. The long-term target is for a significant allocation of around 25% over the next five to 10 years.
Future Opportunities is about taking a long-term view on how members’ money is invested. By combining Standard Life’s scale and governance with specialist private markets expertise at Future Growth Capital, we’re focused on creating solutions that are practical, responsible and built to support better retirement outcomes.
Private markets expertise from Future Growth Capital
Standard Life worked with Schroders in 2024 to launch Future Growth Capital (FGC), enabling our dedicated approach to private market investing.
To access the best opportunities that private markets can offer, you need time, expertise, strong governance and long-term alignment. FGC brings practical experience in sourcing and managing high-quality private market opportunities. Standard Life is responsible for the design and governance of the overall solution, including how private markets are integrated. This means employers and trustees can be confident in a considered approach focused on members’ interests.
Accessing private market investments typically involves a different charging structure. A variable annual management charge and performance fee support access to these assets, reflecting their long-term and actively managed nature.
Supporting employers and trustees
Future Opportunities helps employers and trustees respond to the changing investment landscape.
It offers:
- a thoughtfully designed default solution
- broader long-term growth potential for members
- clear governance of private market investing
- an approach aligned with fiduciary duties
- exposure to real-world assets that feel more tangible to members.
Please bear in mind that there are different risks associated with private assets, including liquidity and valuation risks. Please speak to your Standard Life Relationship Manager to find out more.