Saturday, September 19, 2009

Aviva Policyholders Lose

Aviva Policyholders Lose

The Times reports:

"800,000 policyholders of with-profits funds run by Aviva, Britain’s largest insurer, will share less than half of the billion-pound windfall promised just over 18 months ago.

The investors had been pledged £1 billion in February last year when the funds were valued at £4.2 billion, but were told this March that the payout would be £500 million because falling gilt, bond and property prices had reduced the funds to £1.2 billion.

The High Court yesterday upheld Aviva’s decision to pay the £500 million because the fund had shrunk in value. Aviva will keep £700 million for its own use.

Eligible policyholders — those with Commercial Union Life, CGNU Life and Norwich Union Life with-profits funds — will receive between £200 and £1,150. Aviva said it would put the scheme into effect on October 1, with the majority of payments being made before the end of the year
."

Why has the FSA sat on its hands and allowed Aviva to take (Which? uses the word "plunder") £700M of policyholders' money?

Some also argue that Aviva have deliberately dragged this out; so as to not to have to pay out so much money, as the markets continued to fall.

Policyholders, yet again, have been ill served by a life assurance company.