Dashboards
Pensions dashboards
Dashboards have been under development for several years but the DWP unexpectedly “reset” the dashboard programme in 2023, introducing a new single statutory connection deadline of 31 October 2026. However, there is a staging timetable that trustees must “have regard to”, ranging from 30 April 2025 for the largest schemes to 30 September 2026 for the smallest schemes. Whilst the timetable is not mandatory, trustees are expected to meet their “connect by” date.
What is a dashboard?
A pensions dashboard is an online platform where members of the public can access their UK pensions information, including their state pension, in one place. Broadly speaking, trustees of schemes in scope will need to:
- connect to the dashboard “ecosystem”
- ensure their scheme can receive and service both “find” requests (a request sent as the result of an individual searching for information about their pensions) and “view” requests (a request by an individual to see detailed information about any pension which the dashboard shows they have).
What do trustees need to do?
Meeting their dashboard duties involves a lot of steps. As a starting point, trustees should:
- understand their legal duties
- take advice on the decisions they will need to make in relation to dashboards and the associated risks
- speak to their administrators to understand their connection plans
- make sure their data is “dashboard ready”
- establish proper oversight and governance of their connection project.
With the legal requirements and timings now finalised, schemes should press ahead with their preparatory work, as the first “connect by” dates are less than a year away.
Related insights
- Pensions dashboards – DWP publishes connection guidance – SackersThe DWP published its Pensions dashboards: guidance on connection on 25 March 2024 (“the Guidance”). The Guidance sets out a staged
- Dashboards and scheme data – four key areas to watch for 2024In an article published in Pensions Expert, partner Oliver Topping explains that accurate data will be crucial for dashboard project
- What do employers need to know about pensions dashboards?In an article for Employee Benefits, Oliver Topping considers what the new pensions dashboards regime will mean for employers
- TPR’s consultation on Dashboards compliance and enforcement policyLeanne Carter looks at TPR’s consultation on its draft dashboards compliance and enforcement policy and sets out practical steps schemes can take…