Aviva taps GBST Tech to modernise retirement products

By Vriti Gothi

Aviva has implemented GBST’s Composer SaaS platform as part of a wider transformation of its individual annuities business, following renewed demand for guaranteed retirement income products.

Individual annuities have steadily regained prominence in recent years, supported by higher rates and increasing customer interest in lower-risk options as they move into later life. The upgrade forms part of Aviva’s strategy to modernise operations and accelerate product innovation in a segment experiencing renewed growth.

The deployment, delivered in partnership with GBST, introduces a new operating model designed to support both existing annuity portfolios and the launch of new offerings. The first phase has already resulted in the launch of a guaranteed fixed-term income plan, with further products in development and customer migrations set to follow.

Claire Reed, Director of Individual Annuities at Aviva, said “The initiative strengthens the insurer’s ability to deliver modern retirement solutions. The Composer platform gives us the flexibility and security to accelerate our transformation and enhance the experience we deliver for our customers and their advisers.”

GBST said the implementation reflects increasing demand among financial institutions for configurable and scalable administration platforms. “We look forward to working closely with Aviva to evolve and continually enhance its individual annuities business by delivering a robust and flexible solution through our Composer SaaS platform that aligns with Aviva’s strategic goals,” said David Simpson, Head of EMEA at GBST.

GBST CEO Robert DeDominicis added that the partnership underscores a shift toward automated, cost-efficient operating models. He said Composer’s architecture enables faster onboarding, streamlined processing, and improved scalability capabilities that support both product modernisation and future market expansion.