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Smart Pension

Can a UK workplace pension administrator become the global cloud-native infrastructure layer for retirement savings — selling both the technology platform (Keystone) and operating the assets (Master Trust)?

Founded2015
HQLondon, UK
Total raised~$300M+
Latest roundSeries E, May 2023
IndustryFintech / Investment
The story

Founded in 2015 as a UK workplace auto-enrolment pension provider, Smart Pension evolved from a compliance-focused pension administration tool into a global retirement savings technology platform. The company built 'Keystone', a cloud-native workplace retirement savings platform, and expanded internationally to serve governments and financial service partners. By 2023, Smart had grown its Master Trust into one of the UK's largest, and pivoted its positioning from domestic pension provider to B2B retirement infrastructure business, selling technology globally while also managing assets domestically.

Last 12 months
2023-05
2025-08
Product timeline
2015
Smart Pension founded in London to offer workplace auto-enrolment pension solutions for UK employers.· pivot
2019
Launched PAPDIS-compliant CSV and API payroll integration specification for payroll software providers.· banking
2023
Raised $95M Series E led by Aquiline Capital Partners to expand international footprint and pursue acquisitions.· acquisition
2023
Smart Pension Master Trust became one of the UK's 'big four' auto-enrolment master trusts, serving 1.5M+ members and 90,000+ employers.· banking
2025
Secured £60M syndicated credit facility arranged by CIBC Innovation Banking to support growth in the consolidating UK retirement market.· lending
Regulated entities
Master Trust Authorisation (TPR)
UK
Smart Pension Master Trust
The stack
Accounting gap: minor