Quilter has announced a partnership with Standard Life to launch a new smoothed funds offering.

The funds will be available through the collective retirement account on Quilter’s platform and the wealth firm will manage the underlying investments.

Standard Life will operate the funds and apply the smoothing methodology, with the funds designed for investors approaching or already in retirement.

Advisers can choose from three funds, each aligned to a different risk profile. These include a conservative fund for investors seeking low-risk investments, a balanced fund for investors seeking low-to-medium-risk investments, and a moderate fund for investors seeking medium-risk investments.

Each fund invests across a diversified mix of assets, including equities, bonds, alternatives and money market instruments such as cash, typically through third-party funds.

The funds use a smoothing mechanism based on actual market returns and investment values are calculated daily using a rolling-average smoothing process, which helps reduce the impact of short-term market fluctuations on customers’ fund values.

Chief investment officer and managing director at Quilter, Marcus Brookes, said: "We are delighted to be able to offer advisers a suite of smoothed funds to help their clients navigate the uncertainty that often accompanies retirement. The Quilter smoothed funds are designed to deliver a smoother investment experience, giving clients the confidence to invest and the composure to stay invested for the long-term.

"Our partnership with Standard Life has enabled us to create a genuinely differentiated offering, with unique features that enhance the overall investor experience.”

Managing director – BPA and individual retirement at Standard Life, Claire Altman, added: “This strategic partnership brings together Standard Life’s smoothing technology and expertise with Quilter’s highly regarded investment platform. It expands the ‘smooth’ investment category, giving advisers more tools to help clients feel confident and secure as they approach retirement.

“At a time when many people are seeking both growth and stability in their pension planning, smoothed funds offer a balanced approach. They help individuals navigate uncertainty and feel more in control of their financial future, which is exactly what advisers are there to support.”

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