DWP has released a written ministerial statement that affects the connection deadline for pensions dashboards.
Additional guidance will be published in due course.

 

FAQs

Pensions dashboard development

When are you likely to complete the development of the MaPS pensions dashboard?

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) dashboard is currently in development, we will be able to share updates on the progress in the coming months.

Will the MaPS pensions dashboard be available for our pension members to use, if we do not have one ourselves?

The MaPS dashboard will be available to members of the public with a pension in the UK after the dashboards available point. There may be other dashboards available too.

There is no requirement for pension schemes and providers to provide their own pensions dashboard service.

Why isn’t this work simply part of the larger open banking work?

Open banking and pensions dashboards are based on significantly different priorities.

While the policy intent of open banking is about increasing competition, the objectives of pensions dashboards are to enable people to find and access information about their pensions.

However, there are areas we can learn from the open banking experience – for example around creating data standards and dispute resolution for users.

What legislation is relevant to dashboards?

The Pension Schemes Act 2021 provides the legislative framework for pensions dashboards. This includes the power to set requirements for qualifying dashboards services, and to enable the Secretary of State to make regulations requiring:

  • occupational pension schemes to provide the information needed for the service to work
  • the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to similarly introduce rules requiring personal and stakeholder pensions to provide this information

The Pensions Dashboards (Amendment) Regulations 2023 set out requirements for pension providers and schemes to connect to dashboards, and what organisations must do to provide a qualified dashboard service. The regulations also empower the Money and Pensions Service, through the Pensions Dashboards Programme, to set dashboards standards.

Pensions Dashboards Programme

What has the programme achieved since the Money and Pensions Service became responsible for the development of dashboards?

We give full updates of our progress every 6 months in our progress update report.

What is the role of PDP in delivering the MaPS dashboard?

The Money and Pensions Service will develop a dashboard as part of its function to provide information and guidance on pensions. Other organisations may also provide dashboards.

The Pensions Dashboards Programme is responsible for developing the required standards, specifications and technical requirements as well as the technology and governance to enable individuals to view all their pensions data via their chosen dashboard. The Pensions Dashboards Programme will not develop a dashboard itself.

Dashboards providers

How do you work with organisations that may want to develop dashboards in the future?

For organisations interested in becoming a pensions dashboards provider we have a regular dashboards forum. For more information please email eventspdp@maps.org.uk.

Dashboards available point

What notice will providers be given ahead of the dashboards available point (DAP)?

The DAP is decided by the Government (Secretary of State for Work and Pensions). This will be in consultation with the Money and Pensions Service, the Pensions Regulator and the Financial Conduct Authority. Government will provide at least 6 months’ notice of the dashboards available point.

Why won’t you set a date for when dashboards will be available to the public?

Pensions dashboards services will only launch to the public once a number of areas have been considered by the Government. These include:

  • sufficient coverage  
  • the dashboards service must work effectively  
  • safety and security  
  • user experience   

What information will I be able to see on pensions dashboards when they launch?

The priority is to connect people with their pensions. The information available on dashboards will start with simple information similar to what is already available to people on annual benefit statements. This will include details of successfully located pensions, including the pension provider, how best to contact them and the value of that pension.

Savers will want to see more detail on future dashboards, particularly relating to their likely income in retirement, but challenges such as how to agree a standard set of assumptions and calculations will first need to be consulted on and agreed.

See our timeline.

What is the PDP communications strategy for dashboards? Do schemes need to do anything in addition?

Communications around dashboards will be through a number of different routes dependant on delivery and audience such as MoneyHelper, trustees, employers and those providing their own regulated dashboard services.

This is something that can be confirmed closer to the dashboards available point.

Using a pensions dashboard

To comply with consumer duty, pension schemes need to consider the needs of vulnerable customers. How would you expect a scheme to demonstrate they are doing this?

Pension providers and schemes are under obligations to undertake matching as well as provide find and view information. Dashboards will be an FCA regulated activity and under the FCA rules (currently subject to consultation) the dashboard will be required to meet the consumer duty. These rules set out requirements for how dashboard interact with users. Also, under our proposed dashboard design standards (subject to consultation), dashboards will be required to ensure they are accessible and inclusive as well as other important consumer protection requirements.

Where can I go for help about my pensions now?

MoneyHelper provides free and impartial money and pensions guidance.

Will there only be one dashboard available for users?

Following the dashboards available point, the MaPS dashboard will be available for anyone to use. Other potential dashboard providers can go through an approval process with the FCA to become a regulated pensions dashboard service firm.

The MaPS dashboard will be non-commercial and available to all users looking to access their pensions data. Every dashboard will need to meet the same standards, particularly regarding how they present pensions information to users.

How will people know which dashboard to use and will all dashboards contain the same information?

The only confirmed dashboard is the MaPS dashboard. Other dashboards may be available following the dashboards available point. Dashboard providers will need to obtain FCA approval as operating dashboards will be a regulated activity.

Users will be able to choose which dashboard they want to use. The pensions dashboards standards will ensure the available pensions information is accessible across all dashboards and presented in the same way.

What will be done to mitigate the risk of users being scammed?

Our approach to dashboards is to ensure that users can securely view their pensions.

Part of the central digital architecture involves identity verification which connects dashboards to pension providers and schemes and enables dashboards to work. Only the user, once they have confirmed that they are who they say they are, is able to control access to their pensions information via dashboards. This is an important element of the protection that dashboards design will give to both consumers and pension providers. It is part of providing confidence to everyone that the dashboard user’s pension data is secure and dashboards are safe to use.

In addition, through a combination of PDP design standards and FCA rules, dashboards will be required to put in place appropriate mitigations. This could include warnings about scams, messages to help prevent users from making financial decisions based on the information they see on dashboards alone, signposting users to guidance and advice, and other appropriate measures.

Can an individual withdraw their permission for data to be shared with a dashboard, if they know where their pensions are?

Users are in complete control over how their data is used and can withdraw their consent at any point in time.

Will users be charged for using a pensions dashboard?

The legislation will prohibit pension dashboard providers from charging people to use a dashboard to find and view their pensions.

Will users living abroad be able to access their UK pensions information?

The dashboard user will be able to view their pensions information if they can verify their identity.

Will pensions dashboards only be of benefit to those that have lost a pension?

Pensions dashboards will allow anyone with a State Pension and/or one or more private pensions to locate and view their pensions savings together in one place. Dashboards will enable people to reconnect with lost pension pots.

It will be a useful tool for any user, whether they are aware of all their pensions or not, to get an overall view of their pension savings and an estimate of the amount they will receive when they retire.

Standards

What are the pensions dashboards standards?

The Pension Schemes Act 2021 and the pensions dashboards (amendment) regulations give authority to the Pensions Dashboards Programme, as part of the Money and Pensions Service, to set standards relating to the practical operation of pensions dashboards services and the digital infrastructure needed to support them. The standards will provide the rules and controls that will facilitate the ongoing connection to the pensions dashboards ecosystem.

Draft standards can be found on our standards page.

What do I need to do with the standards?

Pension providers and schemes, and potential dashboard providers, will need to undertake work to ensure that they are able to meet the rules and controls set out in the pensions dashboards standards.

PDP will provide help and support on getting ready for standards. Along with videos and tips on our website, we regularly attend events with industry to answer questions, including on standards.

Procurement

Why does the Money and Pensions Service have to advertise and open their contract opportunities to competition?

As an arm’s length body (ALB) of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Money and Pensions Service is subject to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 when purchasing supplies, services or works that exceed the current whole life contract value threshold of £115,633 (exc. VAT).

Value for money is fundamental and central to all procurement activities carried out which must be managed in line with HM Treasury’s Managing Public Money guidance.

Is it possible to meet with you and discuss our business and what service we provide?

To maintain equal treatment of suppliers, we cannot meet suppliers interested in bidding for future commercial opportunities. However, we will undertake market engagement for contracts that are complex or where requirements need the input of suppliers.