Connecting to the pensions dashboards ecosystem: what you need to do

We are now just six weeks away from the first cohort of pension providers and schemes connecting to the pensions dashboards ecosystem. As the programme builds momentum, it is crucial that providers and schemes take the necessary steps to ensure they are fully prepared for connection.

If you are a pension provider or scheme in scope for dashboards, here’s a reminder of the essential things you need to be doing now in preparation to connect.

1. Confirm your 'connect by' date

Under the dashboards legislation, all pension providers and schemes in scope for dashboards must have connected to the pensions dashboards ecosystem by 31 October 2026. You should be working towards connecting in line with the connection timetable set out in guidance by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in March 2024.

The 'connect by' dates, starting on 30 April 2025 and finishing on 30 September 2026, have been set according to provider and scheme size. You can find your 'connect by’ date in the guidance. While these dates are not statutory, you should seek to connect in line with them. Providers and schemes are required to have regard to the guidance.

2. Confirm your route to connection

By now, pension providers and schemes in scope should have established their route to connection to the dashboards ecosystem. If not, you need to make this decision as soon as possible.

Most providers and schemes will connect through a third party, such as their administrator or an integrated service provider (ISP), rather than directly. If you are yet to consider your route to connection, it is important to be aware that connecting directly is a lengthy process with numerous steps involved. Depending on your ‘connect by’ date in guidance, it may not be possible to complete the process of connecting directly ahead of this date. You can find guidance on connecting directly and connecting via a third party on the PDP website.

3. Consult the dashboard standards

PDP has established pensions dashboards standards that set out the rules and controls facilitating the ongoing connection to, and operation of, the pensions dashboards ecosystem. These standards set out the requirements for pension providers and schemes to connect to dashboards.

The standards have now been formally approved by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Department for Communities (Northern Ireland), making them part of the regulatory framework for pensions dashboards. We have published updated versions of the data standards, technical standards, reporting standards and the code of connection on the PDP website. Pension providers and schemes must comply with these standards.

4. Prepare your data

Ensuring that pension data is reliable and up to date is one of the most critical steps for providers and schemes in preparing for connection. Pensions dashboards will rely on high-quality data to return accurate pension information to consumers.

Pension providers and schemes should conduct thorough data audits, address any gaps or inconsistencies and ensure that records are as complete as possible ahead of connection. Putting in this effort now could make a big difference in increasing the volume of definite matches and reducing the volume of queries received from consumers once dashboards become available.

5. Decide your data matching approach

When dashboards are up and running, whether a find request from a consumer returns a full or a partial match with a pension depends on the data matching criteria in place. Pension providers and schemes are responsible for developing their own criteria for data matching – for example, first name, last name and date of birth.

It is important to use existing resources such as PASA’s data matching guidance to develop your data matching criteria and decide the approach. PDP has released a video explaining PASA's data matching guidance.

6. Stay up to date

This is a complex programme with many moving parts, and as such it is important that providers and schemes stay on top of the latest updates. You can do this by visiting the PDP homepage and signing up to our regular email newsletters where we publish the latest news and guidance.

It is also prudent to stay informed about the regulatory landscape by signing up for updates from The Pensions Regulator (TPR) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This will help providers and schemes remain compliant and prepared for any changes.

7. Use PDP guidance and support

We are on hand to support with your preparations for connection. On the PDP website you’ll find guidance on a range of topics in our connection hub. This includes guidance on connecting directly to the ecosystem and testing your connection, and connecting through a third party. We have also published a wide range of blog posts, articles and explainer videos to help you through the process. Should you have a specific issue or question, feel free to contact us directly via support.

To all pension providers and schemes preparing for connection, thank you for your commitment to this transformative initiative. Dashboards have the potential to make a real difference to people’s retirement planning and financial wellbeing, and I look forward to seeing them become a reality.