AEGON offers guarantees with launch of Investment Control

AEGON Scottish Equitable has launched Investment Control, an onshore bond offering investors a wide choice of funds, control over how the bond is paid for and certainty of money-back guarantees.

With the FTSE 100 falling by as much as 16 percent from the start of 2008, AEGON Scottish Equitable believes that investors are increasingly looking for products offering greater certainty.

Investment Control offers a protected investment option which guarantees investors' money back after 5 years, less withdrawals, and a money-back guarantee on death. In addition, from the tenth anniversary and every five years after that, if the fund value is greater than the amount invested,less withdrawals, this will be set as the new higher guaranteed cash-in amount.

AEGON Scottish Equitable has designed a flexible charging structure for Investment Control. It allows advisers and clients either to choose from one of the standard charging options, or to put together a tailored structure that suits the client and the adviser.

The launch of Investment Control is a new addition to AEGON's guaranteed product range. In September 2006, AEGON launched 5 for Life, bringing a new concept to the UK retirement market, offering investors a guaranteed minimum income of at least 5% of their initial investment for life - no matter what happens to the stockmarket or how long they live.

David Aaron, Marketing Communications Manager (Investment Products) at AEGON Scottish Equitable said ; "With stockmarket volatility currently at the forefront of investors' minds, we have identified a growing demand for products offering guarantees. With Investment Control's protected investment option we guarantee that investors will get back at least what they put in, no matter what happens to the market. We are bringing real innovation and the potential for investor peace of mind to the investment bond market."

Investment Control offers investors the choice of more than 90 funds to meet a variety of investors' needs and different attitudes to risk. The Protected Investment option offers a choice of two portfolios to invest in. These are the ‘Core portfolios' which offer a choice of four funds for investors looking for passive equity management and four ‘multi manager portfolios' for clients looking for active management. There is also a cash fund.

Although changes to Capital Gains Tax announced in the Budget have changed the market for onshore bonds, AEGON believes they are still an attractive option for certain types of investor, in particular for those seeking inheritance tax (IHT) planning, efficient portfolio management and simple tax calculations.