The Pensions Regulator (TPR) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have published a joint guide that sets out how they will regulate workplace defined contribution (DC) pensions.
The Guide to the regulation of workplace defined contribution pensions, which is aimed at pension providers, advisers and trustees, outlines each regulator’s approach, and how they work together to ensure consistency.
The guide also details areas of common ground, and explains how both regulators seek to ensure that member outcomes are not adversely affected by the differences in regulatory regime.
Andrew Warwick-Thompson (pictured), executive director for DC, governance and administration at TPR, said: “Retirement savers have a right to expect that their workplace pension scheme, whether it is trust or contract-based, is well-run and will deliver a good outcome.
“I can see no reason, in principle, why trust or contract-based schemes should deliver different outcomes. However, joined-up regulation is essential to build equal confidence in both types of schemes, and this guide clarifies the various ways in which we and the FCA work together to improve the quality of all DC schemes.”
Christopher Woolard, director of policy, risk and research at the FCA, added: “The introduction of automatic-enrolment has meant that more people than ever are being enrolled into DC schemes and many employers will not have had to consider these issues before.
“While both organisations already work together closely, as the new landscape takes shape, it is more important than ever that there is a consistent approach between the two regulators. The guide sets out how each of us will work to achieve that.”
