Crystal (formerly known as the Crystal Master Trust) has been a significant player in the UK workplace pension market, originally managed by Evolve Pensions. However, the landscape for Crystal members changed dramatically in 2024 and 2025 following its acquisition and merger into the Smart Pension Master Trust.
As of 2026, Crystal members have transitioned to a more advanced digital platform, though many still identify their savings through the Crystal brand. Whether you are an employer looking at their legacy or an employee with an existing pot, understanding this evolution is key to managing your retirement.
Get in touch below for an independent assessment of whether Crystal is the right pension platform for you from a qualified pensions specialist.
Get 100% independent pensions advice today
Our independent financial advisers have a deep working relationship with pension providers across the UK, including Crystal Trust.
Whether you want to transfer your pension to Crystal Trust or have an existing pension with then that you want to get the most out of, we can help.
The IFA's we work with can provide independent advice about pension transfers, reviews, drawdown, annuities and much more. Book your free initial consultation with them below:
Who is Crystal (and Smart Pension)?
Crystal was one of the UK’s largest authorised Master Trusts, frequently used by the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) and other blue-collar sectors. In mid-2024, it was announced that Crystal would be merged into Smart Pension.
This merger provided Crystal members with access to "Smart’s" award-winning technology, while maintaining the robust governance of a Master Trust authorised and supervised by The Pensions Regulator (tPR).
Crystal Pension Products
The offerings for Crystal members are now integrated into the Smart Pension ecosystem:
1. The Crystal Workplace Pension
Now operating under the Smart Pension umbrella, this remains a primary auto-enrolment vehicle. It is known for its Lifestyle Strategy, which automatically moves your investments into lower-risk assets as you approach your selected retirement age.
2. Investment Choice
Members can choose from a variety of funds, including:
-
Target Date Funds: Funds that manage risk based on a specific retirement year
-
Sustainable/ESG Funds: For those who want their retirement savings to support positive environmental and social outcomes
-
Sharia-Compliant Funds: Investment options that adhere to Islamic financial principles
Putting a Crystal Pension into Drawdown
Crystal was a pioneer in offering the UK’s first Trust-based drawdown scheme. Following the merger with Smart Pension, this service has become even more digitally focused.
-
Flexi-Access Drawdown: Once you reach the minimum age (55, rising to 57 in April 2028), you can take 25% of your pot as a tax-free lump sum and move the rest into drawdown
-
The Drawdown Guidance Tool: A legacy feature from Crystal that helps members visualize how their withdrawals will impact their pot over time
-
Smart Retire: Members now have access to ‘Smart Retire,’ a sophisticated dashboard that lets you split your pension into different buckets, one for a steady income, one for rainy-day cash, and one for a long-term inheritance
Alternatives to Drawdown
-
Annuities: You can use your Crystal pot to purchase a guaranteed income for life from a provider like Canada Life or Aviva
-
UFPLS (Lump Sums): Taking occasional one-off payments directly from your pot
-
Full Encashment: Withdrawing the entire balance, though this is usually only recommended for very small pots due to high tax implications
Reviewing an Existing Crystal Pension
If you have an old Crystal pot, a professional review is essential due to the merger:
-
Platform Migration Check: Ensure your details have successfully moved to the Smart Pension portal and that your beneficiaries (Expression of Wish) are up to date
-
Fee Impact: Master Trusts often have low AMCs (around 0.3% to 0.5%), but some older accounts may still have flat monthly fees. A review can determine if you are better off moving to a single percentage-based SIPP
-
Investment Performance: The merger changed the underlying investment managers for many portfolios. A review will confirm if the new "Smart" defaults align with your risk tolerance
Transferring To and From Crystal
Transferring Into Crystal (Smart Pension)
Members are encouraged to consolidate old pots using the "Smart Pension" app.
-
Electronic Transfers: Using the Origo network, transfers typically take 2 to 3 weeks
-
The Benefit: Having all your workplace savings in one place makes it significantly easier to use the ‘Smart Retire’ modeling tools
Transferring Out of Crystal
If you want more investment choice or a different fee structure, you can transfer out.
-
The Process: You can initiate this through your member portal (evoPlus or the Smart Pension app)
-
Service Note: Historically, some Crystal/Evolve members reported delays in manual transfer processing. While the Smart Pension integration has improved this, it is often wise to have an IFA monitor the transfer to ensure it proceeds smoothly
Pros, Cons, and Customer Reviews
The Pros
-
Market-Leading Tech: The Smart Pension app is one of the best-rated in the industry for member engagement
-
Trustee Governance: Independent oversight ensures the scheme is run in the members' best interests
-
Innovation: Features like the "Smart Retire" buckets provide a unique way to manage drawdown
The Cons
-
Legacy Support: Some members found the transition from Evolve Pensions to Smart Pension confusing regarding login credentials
-
Customer Support Response: Older reviews often cited long email response times (up to 10 days), though this is expected to normalize under the new management
What Customers are Saying
"The move to the Smart app was a big improvement. I can finally see my balance on my phone and change my funds in seconds." — Member Review, Dec 2025
"Transferring my old pot out took a bit of chasing during the merger period, but the staff I eventually spoke to were very helpful." — Trustpilot Review, Jan 2026
How Our IFA Service Can Help
At Money Helpdesk, we specialise in helping members navigate the transition between Master Trust providers. Our Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) provide the personalised guidance that a workplace scheme cannot.
Our IFA service helps you with:
-
Post-Merger Review: Analyzing how the move from Crystal to Smart Pension has affected your specific fund performance and fees
-
Drawdown Strategy: Helping you use the "Smart Retire" tool effectively to ensure you don't run out of money
-
Consolidation: Managing the transfer of multiple old pots into your current scheme or a separate personal SIPP
-
Whole-of-Market Comparison: Comparing Crystal’s new "Smart" defaults against other leaders like Nest or People's Pension
Get started here to speak with an IFA for a free review of an existing Crystal/Smart Pension account or get bespoke advice on whether you should transfer your funds to them.