Nest says it has started its digital transformation with the launch of its first app.

I’m a Nest customer  who uses apple an iPhone so I downloaded the nest pensions app which proved easy enough to do.

It takes a bit of remembering, your username and password – so best do your first login in easy site of a web browser. Nest are good at letting you see your password/user combo but sadly these aren’t stored in the app meaning you have to login afresh each time you use it (so you had better get used to remembering your nest credentials)

Once on the app, you get your account balance and the standard comparison with how much you’ve paid in.

And that’s about it for online functionality. There’s supposed to be a transfer in facility but for now there’s just a lot of static data and a means to refresh your personal data and nominate a beneficiary.

It’s like someone designed it with Nest in mind not you!

I now have access to my Nest pension value in my pocket but it’s a bit rich of Gavin to tell me I can access my pension. The closest I can get to doing that is through some contact numbers and a lot of information on what happens when I die.

I haven’t any intention of dying but at 62 , I am thinking of drawing some of my money and had hoped that Nest would be helping me with my option,

I did have a stroll through to how my money was being managed and got to the end of a well-written but boring explanation of ESG, sadly the app mentions Tumelo but gives me no link to their site and there is certainly no straight through process to help me indicate my voting preferences.

Some of these gripes are teething problems but I sense that most people will find more on this site about scams and online security than help in managing their pension

Nest chief customer officer Gavin Perera-Betts says:

“We are excited to offer our members a convenient and user-friendly way to stay connected to their Nest pension pot. With Nest Pensions in their pocket, they will be able to access their Nest pension in the way that suits them best.

The Nest app is the first step forward in our digital transformation journey. By offering easy and simple access to their pension pot and secure communications, Nest members can take control of their retirement planning with greater ease and confidence.”

Nest say they are at the start of their digital transformation journey, I would add “they have  a long way to go”