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PENSION ADMINISTRATION TECHNICAL HELP
PATHways 175
Highlighting pensions news and legislation that has
particular relevance to what we do in pension administration
In this edition of PATHways, we cover:
- Pensions Dashboards Programme updates
- PASA guidance on improving data security and governance
- Blog post by TPO’s newly appointed Chair
- Third State Pension age review – call for evidence
- TPR blog on pensions adequacy
Steve Marks contributed to the writing of this newsletter.
Pensions Dashboards Programme updates
The Pensions Dashboards Programme (PDP) has published blogs on its consumer testing approach and on connection progress and process improvements.
The first blog provides an overview of the PDP’s approach to consumer testing for the MoneyHelper Pensions Dashboard and shares recently published information on this subject.
The blog discusses that consumer testing will help to identify and resolve issues and gather insights, helping refine the service before it becomes publicly available.
The blog also sets out the core testing objectives and outlines how it is expected the testing will be expanded over time, in three key phases. Testing will take place with a range of users across numerous demographics and characteristics, including participants who have access needs or low digital skills, eventually catering for testing with all pension types and including more complex scenarios.
The second blog shares updates on connection progress and acknowledges the role played by industry participants in helping identify improvement opportunities and refine the connection process, with over 40 million workplace and personal pension records now connected.
The blog also looks ahead as more pension providers and schemes prepare to connect, confirming the PDP will be working with the remaining industry participants who are yet to connect, helping them complete the journey.
Links to various sources of guidance and support are also provided.
PASA guidance on improving data security and governance
The Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) Data Working Group has published new guidance which provides “practical, accessible advice on improving data security and governance” to trustees and pension providers in relation to protecting member data.
The guidance outlines some key data security risks, for example, data breaches and cyber-attacks, before going on to describe some steps to strengthen data security, offering some practical actions that could be taken.
The guidance aims to complement existing sources such as The Pensions Regulator’s guidance on Cyber security principles for pension schemes.
Blog post by TPO’s newly appointed Chair
The Pensions Ombudsman (TPO) has published a blog post by Deborah Evans, TPO’s newly appointed Chair, who reflects on her first month at the organisation.
The blog references the recent publication of TPO’s Annual Report and Accounts 2024/2025, new three-year Corporate strategy 2025–2028 and Corporate plan 2025/2026, and TPO’s Operating Model Review programme.
The blog also touches on some areas of focus which TPO hopes will help it meet its strategic goals and achieve its vision.
Furthermore, the blog confirms that “TPO has identified further efficiencies that will help resolve customer’s issues as early as possible in the process and will continue to test and trial new ideas before implementing them on a wider scale.”
Third State Pension age review – call for evidence
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched an open call for evidence to obtain views and evidence ahead of the third review of the State Pension age.
This follows from one of the conclusions of the previous State Pension age review reported in 2023, which proposed that there should be a further review within two years of the next Parliament. This is to ensure that the Government is able to consider the latest information which was not available to the previous independent reviewer at that time.
The call for evidence seeks views and evidence with questions grouped into four broad areas, including on the role of State Pension age in managing the long-term sustainability of the State Pension and the advantages and disadvantages of using automatic adjustment mechanisms for making decisions about State Pension age.
The call for evidence will close on 24 October 2025.
TPR blog on pensions adequacy
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has published a blog post, authored by Patrick Coyne, Interim Director of Pensions Reform at TPR, on pensions adequacy and the challenges facing DC pension savers.
The forthcoming Pension Schemes Bill will introduce guided retirement duties, requiring certain schemes to provide structured support as members approach retirement. Pensions dashboards might also bring stark clarity to the adequacy gap many savers face. With this in mind, the blog asks trustees of DC schemes to consider their decumulation strategies now and “bring forward plans for simple but tailored support, smarter decumulation strategies, and clearer guidance.”
PASA new and updated guidance
The Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) has published new and updated guidance during June 2024 in several of the areas its working groups cover.
Data Presence vs Accuracy
The PASA Data Working Group continues to produce content regularly and has published new guidance on ‘Data Presence vs Accuracy’. The main part of the guidance focuses on what trustees can do to improve data accuracy, suggesting trustees conduct an audit of data quality to identify potential issues in their data and areas of weakness, and on reviewing the data accuracy, carry out data remediation work as necessary. The guidance also suggests that consideration is given to ongoing monitoring on a periodic basis to help ‘future proof’ data accuracy.
Master trust transitions guidance
The PASA Master Trust Working Group has published updated guidance on master trust transitions following on from the original version issued in November 2019.
The updated guidance accounts for developments in the master trust space in the intervening years and is designed for situations involving transitions of savers to and from master trusts, focusing on the two most common scenarios:
- master trust to master trust; and
- single employer trust to master trust.
As well as industry developments, other topics covered include transition planning and suggested project governance, and communications.
DWP – combining small pension pots
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced on 24 April 2025 plans to bring eligible small pension pots together under reforms to be included in the Pension Schemes Bill, as part of the Government’s Plan for Change. It follows the findings of the work conducted by the Small Pots Delivery Group aimed at supporting the design and implementation of the new small pots multiple consolidator scheme approach, The aim of the initiative is to:
- automatically combine the number of eligible small pots of £1000 or less into one pension scheme that is certified as delivering good value to savers. Individuals will retain the right to choose their own consolidator scheme or opt out;
- help workers keep track of their pensions and get a better rate of return on these retirement savings by reducing the number of flat rate charges paid from their multiple small funds; and
- save businesses millions in unnecessary costs involved with administering an increasing number of small funds, as a result of Automatic Enrolment.
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