On 17 January the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) published its response to the consultation on proposals to require trustees of occupational pension schemes to nudge members and survivors towards obtaining guidance from Pension Wise before accessing flexible benefits (broadly money purchase and cash balance benefits). The new rules will apply in relation to members seeking to access these benefits on or after 1 June 2022 directly from the scheme or via a transfer. Most of the proposals are in line with the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) rules for personal pension providers, which also apply from 1 June 2022.
The original proposals were set out in this e-alert: Stronger nudge to pensions guidance. As well as bringing in these changes a little later than originally proposed, the response and final regulations include some changes and clarifications that should be helpful to schemes.
These include:
The DWP also states that member accessing benefits through ill-health, or as a survivor, can obtain guidance from Pension Wise even if they are not yet 50. It has also decided not to try to combine Pension Wise with pensions safeguarding measures (against scams) for transfers despite calls from some respondents to do so.
The amendments from the original proposals are likely to be welcomed by trustees although the 1 June 2022 effective date remains a challenge when looking to change existing processes, systems and procedures. The Pensions Regulator will publish non-statutory guidance.