As far back as February 2019, I blogged that plans were afoot to strengthen the powers of The Pensions Regulator (TPR). The Pension Schemes Act 2021 (PSA21) has been a long time in the making. It was enacted some two years later, in February of this year and many of the proposed measures, which I … Continue Reading
Will The Pensions Regulator (TPR) take a similar approach to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) when initiating criminal proceedings? Background The long-awaited Pension Schemes Act 2021 (the Act) received Royal Assent on 11 February 2021. Within the Act, new offences have been inserted into the Pensions Act 2004 (PA04) which include Section 58A (avoidance of … Continue Reading
“There is broad agreement on the principles, but there are huge dangers lurking in the detail… Those dangers have to be flushed out before the bill is sent to the other place.” (Baroness Sherlock) Yesterday the pension schemes bill (the bill) had its second reading in the House of Lords. There was much comment and … Continue Reading
Let’s start with the key point. If you get a knock on the door from The Pensions Regulator (TPR) then take a deep breath, do not panic and check your insurance policy as soon as you possibly can. TPR has promised to be “clearer, quicker and tougher” and we have certainly seen the regulator ramp … Continue Reading
The pension schemes bill has been issued, giving The Pensions Regulator (TPR) stronger powers, but its passage through parliament is far from over. The new bill legislates for “collective money purchase benefits” and the pensions dashboard, it amends the scheme funding provisions of the Pensions Act 2004 and introduces changes to the individual transfer regime … Continue Reading
We may be approaching Valentine’s Day, but the new “Declaration of Intent” to be made by employers to their pension trustees is unlikely to be romantic…. A lot can happen in a year. We’ve had two Royal weddings, a Royal baby, Facebook has been under fire for misuse of personal data, Donald Trump and Kim … Continue Reading
“You need to get the basics right, including giving us up-to-date information about the scheme, and we will take action if you fail.” The Pensions Regulator’s (TPR) move towards being a “clearer, quicker and tougher regulator” is apparent from this statement, taken from its most recently published compliance and enforcement bulletin. TPR has recently fined … Continue Reading
