The final step of the connection process

The final step of the connection process for pension providers and schemes depends on whether you are building your own direct connection to the pensions dashboards ecosystem or connecting via a third-party connection provider, which is the route most pension providers and schemes will take.

The final stage for direct connection is operational acceptance testing.

In this step, PDP will test your connection to the live environment.

If successful, you will complete connection to the pensions dashboards ecosystem on a previously agreed connection date.

Most pension providers and schemes will connect via a third-party connection provider, such as an integrated service provider or third-party administrator.

Once your connection provider has completed their connection, they can add pension providers and schemes via the connection portal.

They will submit your preferred connection date and relevant information, including your registration code.

The submission will go to PDP for approval and the outcome will be communicated with the connection provider.

Once approved, PDP will connect the provider or scheme to the live environment on the agreed and approved connection date.

PDP shows when the connection is active via the connection portal.

Once a pension provider or scheme completes connection, its legal duties begin.

You can find detailed guidance on both connection routes on the PDP connection hub.