Updated 18 March 2013
Latest news
Single-tier pension – Written Statement to Parliament
18 March 2013
On Monday 18 March, the Government announced that, subject to Parliamentary approval of the Pensions Bill, the single-tier pension will be introduced in April 2016.
The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2013 – consultation
18 February 2013
This consultation asks for views on the draft regulations, which propose consolidation and harmonisation of the principal disclosure of information regulations for occupational and personal pension schemes.
Defined Benefit Pensions - call for evidence
23 January 2013
The Minister for Pensions (Steve Webb): Following the Autumn Statement, the Government will, this Friday, publish its call for evidence on two potential policy changes – whether to allow companies undergoing valuation in 2013 or later to smooth asset and liability values; and whether to provide the Pensions Regulator with a new statutory objective to consider the long-term affordability of deficit recovery plans to sponsoring employers
The call for evidence document will be available on the Department's website from 25 January together with details on how to contribute:
Draft Pensions Bill
18 January 2013
Today we have published the draft Pensions Bill which provides for significant reforms to both the state pension system and the bereavement benefits system and makes a number of smaller changes designed to strengthen private pension provision. The draft Bill has been submitted to the Work and Pensions Select Committee for pre-legislative scrutiny.
Single-tier pension
14 January 2013
Today, the government published proposals to introduce a flat rate single-tier State Pension.
The new single-tier pension will be introduced in April 2017 at the earliest and will affect people who reach State Pension age from that time. Current pensioners and everyone reaching State Pension age before the introduction of the single-tier pension will continue to receive their State Pension in line with existing rules.
Parliament will have to approve any changes to the State Pension before they become law.
Advertising campaign on automatic enrolment into a workplace pension
17 September 2012
Today we launched the second part of a national advertising campaign on automatic enrolment into a workplace pension. This campaign reinforces the message for employers that from October 2012 the law on workplace pensions is changing and they will be required to automatically enrol their eligible workers into a workplace pension.
In addition we have also published a revised edition of our key facts booklet 'Automatic enrolment into a workplace pension', this booklet gives a general overview of workplace pensions and is aimed at supporting stakeholders and the members they represent. You will also find other materials to help explain what's happening to workplace pensions starting from October 2012, in our workplace pensions toolkit. This includes posters mirroring our latest campaign material.
Automatic enrolment – guidance on certification published
2 July 2012
We have published detailed guidance for employers and their advisers and scheme actuaries on certifying defined benefits and hybrid pension schemes. We have also published the Hybrid Schemes Quality Requirements Rules 2012 and a revised version of the guidance for employers and their advisers on certifying money purchase pension schemes. This package of information is intended to help employers who already provide good workplace pension schemes to continue to do so under the reforms.
Automatic enrolment – key facts booklet available
9 February 2012
We have published a revised edition of our key facts booklet 'Automatic enrolment into a workplace pension', this booklet gives a general overview of workplace pensions and is aimed at supporting stakeholders and the members they represent. You will also find other materials to help explain what's happening to workplace pensions starting from October 2012, in our workplace pensions toolkit. This includes short information guides and fact sheets for editors.
