Pensions Round-Up March 2021

In this edition of Pensions Round-Up we look at key developments in pensions legislation and regulatory guidance from March 2021 including:

• The Pensions Regulator: the publication of the Regulator’s corporate strategy; a consultation on the first phase of the Regulator’s work on its single code of practice; and an updated version of the FCA and Regulator’s guide for employers and trustees on providing support with financial matters.
• The Pensions Ombudsman: the publication of information about TPO’s approach to the provision of factual information in respect of independent financial advisers.
• Legislation: regulations in relation to the upper limit of the automatic enrolment qualifying earnings band.
• Department for Work and Pensions: the response to the December 2020 consultation on changes to the general levy; a consultation about regulations relating to Contribution Notices and the Regulator’s information gathering powers; a consultation on performance fees and the charge cap; and a Call for Evidence on consideration of social risks and opportunities by occupational pension schemes.
• HMRC: a Managing Pension Schemes service newsletter; and a countdown bulletin about the end of contracting-out.
• Work and Pensions Committee: the publication of the Committee’s report in relation to its inquiry on pension scams.
• Public service pension schemes: the response to the October 2020 consultation about indexation of Guaranteed Minimum Pensions.
• On the Horizon: a timeline of some of the key future developments in pensions to help employers and trustees plan ahead.