UK pensions policy timeline

The government has outlined its vision for the future of workplace pensions and its roadmap for delivering this. Many of the reforms needed to achieve this are contained in the Pension Schemes Bill which is currently going through Parliament. Once the Bill is in force the focus will shift to implementation.

Our interactive timeline sets out when the reforms covered by this Tracker are currently expected to be implemented and highlights important milestones along the way.

View timeline by benefit type

Defined Benefit (DB)

Defined Contribution (DC)

Key

Defined Benefit

Defined Contribution

DB + DC

Defined Benefit and

Defined Contribution

DB + DC

Spring 2026

Pension Schemes Bill expected to receive Royal Assent

This will pave the way for the implementation of major reforms affecting DB and DC schemes including changes to the rules on use of surplus, the new rules on guided retirement and the new value for money framework.

DB + DC

Spring 2026

Pension Commission's Interim Report due

This will set out the evidence base which will underpin the Commission’s work and identify the key issues the Commission will seek to address in its final report which is due to be published in 2027.

Find out more.

Spring/Summer - 2026

Virgin Media legislative solution due to come into force

This should enable DB schemes to validate most historic amendments that have been called into question following the judgments in the Virgin Media case.

Find out more.

2026

Regulated firms able to provide targeted support to pension savers

This will enable regulated firms to provide greater support to some pension savers and retail investors by enabling them to make recommendations based on general characteristics they know about an individual.

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31 July 2026

Multi-employer Collective DC regulations due to come into force

These will pave the way for multi-employer collective DC schemes to be established for unconnected employers.

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DB + DC

31 October 2026

Long-stop date for connecting to pension dashboards

This is the deadline by which all schemes with over 100 active and deferred members are legally required to have connected to the dashboards ecosystem. It is an important step on the journey to dashboards being made available to the public.

Find out more.

DB + DC

6 April 2027

Most unused DC pensions and death benefits to be brought into inheritance tax regime

This is a significant change which will see most unused DC pensions and death benefits included in a deceased member’s estate for inheritance tax purposes.

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Spring 2027

Guided retirement introduced for DC master trusts

From this date, DC master trusts will be required to make available suitable retirement income solutions for their members.

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2027

New surplus rules and statutory modification power in force

This will make it easier for trustees to return surplus to their scheme’s sponsoring employer while the scheme is ongoing.

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DB + DC

2027

Pension Commission’s final report due

This will set out the Commission’s recommendations for the future of the UK pension system, including the right balance between state, workplace and private savings to address existing inequalities and help ensure individuals can enjoy a decent standard of living in retirement.

Find out more.

Spring 2028

Statutory superfunds regime due to come into force

This will replace the regulator’s existing non-statutory regime for the authorisation and supervision of DB superfunds. It is likely to lead to the expansion of this sector.

Spring 2028

Contractual override introduced for contract-based schemes

This will enable providers of contract-based schemes to transfer savers to alternative pension arrangements or change the way in which a savers’ pension fund is invested without their consent, where they consider this to be in the savers’ best interests.

Spring 2028

Guided retirement introduced for own trust DC schemes and group personal pensions

From this date, trustees of own trust DC schemes and group personal pension providers will be required to make available suitable retirement income solutions for their members and savers.

Find out more.

2028

First value for money assessments due to be published

This will make it easier to compare the value provided and net investment returns delivered by different DC workplace pension schemes and providers.

Find out more.

Winter 2028

Applications for small pots consolidators due to open

This will pave the way for the introduction of the government’s small pots automatic transfer solution.

Find out more.

2030

Scale requirements for DC master trusts and GPPs in force

This is central to the government’s vision of having fewer, bigger DC master trusts and commercial workplace pension providers, which can deliver better outcomes for savers and invest more in UK productive assets.

Find out more.

2030

Automatic small pots transfer regime due to be introduced

This will help to reduce the number of small deferred pension pots being created within the workplace DC sector as a result of automatic enrolment.

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2035

End of transition pathway for sub £25bn DC master trusts and GPPs

This is designed to support the government’s ambition of having fewer, bigger DC master trusts and commercial workplace pension providers by the mid-2030s.

Find out more.

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