UK Act of Parliament 2008 United Kingdom

Pensions Act 2008

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At a glance

Enforced by

TPR

What's here

16 compliance obligations, 16 practical guides across 4 topics · 18 journeys · 1 statutory instrument

Penalty landscape

2 of 16 obligations carry a fine up to £50,000. 4 carry different penalties and 10 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.

Who this Act binds

Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.

  • Employer 10
  • Any Person 1
  • Director or Officer 1

Plus 4 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.

Step-by-step journeys using this legislation

Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.

Relevant guidance

Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.

Direct — cites this Act

10 guides

Supporting — topic alignment

3 guides

Mentioned in related content

3 guides
View all 16 guides →

Other Acts binding the same actors

For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.

Employers also bound by 694 other Acts (top 5 shown)
Any Person also bound by 2338 other Acts (top 5 shown)
Directors and Officers also bound by 425 other Acts (top 5 shown)

What this Act requires

Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.

Part 1 — Pension scheme membership for jobholders

s.003

Automatic enrolment

  • Automatically enrol eligible workers into a pension scheme Employer
s.035

Compliance notices

Fine up to £50,000
  • Fail to comply with a Pensions Regulator compliance notice Employer
s.067

Duty to establish a pension scheme

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must establish a national workplace pension scheme Crown / Minister / Government department
s.068

Scheme orders: general

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must ensure the trustee corporation is appointed to the scheme Crown / Minister / Government department
s.069

Consultation of members and employers

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must require consultation arrangements for the scheme Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 102 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
s.011

Information to be given to pension schemes

s.015

Power to specify rounded figures

s.023

Alternative quality requirements for UK defined benefits schemes

s.028

MSDA approval: relevant Master Trusts

s.028

MSDA approval: group personal pension scheme

s.028

Approvals in respect of asset allocation

s.028

Information

s.028

Transition pathway relief

s.028

New entrant pathway relief

s.028

Suspension of asset allocation requirement: savers’ interest test

s.028

Risk notices

s.028

Penalties

s.028

Enforcement by the Financial Conduct Authority

s.028

Report about effects of pension scheme consolidation

s.028

Regulations about quality requirements

s.030

Review of exercise of powers under section 28C

s.087

Power to create exceptions from the employer duties etc

s.099

Money purchase benefits: supplementary

Part 2 — Simplification etc

Part 3 — Pension compensation

Part 4 — Financial assistance scheme

Browse 1 other section in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part 5 — Miscellaneous

Browse 8 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part 6 — General

Browse 7 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
s.144

Service of documents and electronic working

Schedules

s.003

Consolidation of additional pension

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must calculate revalued additional pension amounts Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 160 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
s.sch001

(1) Appointments of members of the corporation, and of a...

s.sch001

(1) A committee of the trustee corporation may establish a...

s.sch001

(1) The trustee corporation may, subject to this Schedule—

s.sch001

The trustee corporation must make arrangements for the keeping of...

s.sch001

(1) This paragraph applies if at any meeting of—

s.sch001

The trustee corporation may, subject to an order or rules...

s.sch001

The validity of proceedings of the trustee corporation, a committee...

s.sch001

(1) The application of the trustee corporation's seal must be...

s.sch001

(1) As soon as is reasonably practicable after the end...

s.sch001

(1) The Secretary of State may, with the consent of...

s.sch001

The trustee corporation may make charges in connection with the...

s.sch001

(1) The Secretary of State and, under paragraph 1(1)(b), the...

s.sch001

(1) The trustee corporation must— (a) keep proper accounting records,...

s.sch001

In Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the House of...

s.sch001

In Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland...

s.sch001

In Schedule 1 to the Public Records Act 1958 (c....

s.sch001

In Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of...

s.sch001

The trustee corporation

s.sch001

(1) In this Schedule— “financial year” means such period as...

s.sch001

(1) A person is disqualified for appointment as a member...

s.sch001

(1) A person is disqualified for appointment as a member...

s.sch001

The Secretary of State may remove a member from office...

s.sch001

(1) A person holds and vacates office as a member...

s.sch001

(1) The trustee corporation may— (a) pay to the members...

s.sch001

(1) The trustee corporation may appoint employees and make any...

s.sch001

(1) The trustee corporation may— (a) establish a committee for...

s.sch002

This Part makes amendments to Schedule 3 to the Pension...

s.sch002

In paragraph 1 (the final salary method), for sub-paragraphs (1)...

s.sch002

(1) Paragraph 2 (the revaluation percentage and the appropriate revaluation...

s.sch002

This Part makes amendments to Schedule 7 to the Pensions...

s.sch002

(1) Paragraph 12 (active members who have not attained normal...

s.sch002

(1) Paragraph 17 (deferred members who have not attained normal...

s.sch002

In paragraph 29 (Board's powers to alter rates of revaluation...

s.sch002

(1) Section 51ZA of the Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26)...

s.sch003

After Schedule 4B to the Social Security Contributions and Benefits...

s.sch004

The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 is amended...

s.sch004

In section 48C(4) (category B retirement pension: general), for “and...

s.sch004

In section 51(2) and (3) (category B retirement pension for...

s.sch004

(1) Schedule 4B (additional pension: accrual rates for purposes of...

s.sch004

In Schedule 7 (industrial injuries benefits) in paragraph 3(3), after...

s.sch004

After section 148AA of the Social Security Administration Act 1992...

s.sch004

The Pension Schemes Act 1993 is amended as follows.

s.sch004

(1) Section 46 (effect of entitlement to guaranteed minimum pensions...

s.sch004

(1) Section 47 (further provisions concerning entitlement to guaranteed minimum...

s.sch004

In section 48(2) (reduced benefits where minimum payments or minimum...

s.sch004

In section 49(b) (women, married women and widows), after “46(1),”...

s.sch004

In section 21(5A)(c) (contribution conditions), after “5(2)(b) and (4)(a)” insert...

s.sch004

In section 164(5) (Crown employment), after “46(1),” insert “ 46A(2),...

s.sch004

In section 165(2)(b) (cases with a foreign element), after “those...

s.sch004

(1) In section 167(4) (application of provisions relating to social...

s.sch004

In section 39(1) (rate of widowed mother's allowance and widow's...

s.sch004

(1) Section 39C (rate of widowed parent's allowance and bereavement...

s.sch004

(1) After section 45 (additional pension in Category A retirement...

s.sch004

(1) Section 46 (modifications of section 45 for calculating the...

s.sch004

In section 48A(4) (category B retirement pension for married person)—...

s.sch004

In section 48B(2) (category B retirement pension for widows and...

s.sch004

(1) Section 48BB (category B retirement pension: entitlement by reference...

s.sch005

This Schedule applies for the purposes of determining the compensation...

s.sch005

(1) Regulations may prescribe circumstances in which, and conditions subject...

s.sch005

Pension compensation payable on discharge of pension compensation credit

s.sch005

(1) This paragraph applies where all of the following conditions...

s.sch005

An application for a terminal illness lump sum—

s.sch005

(1) The Board must determine an application for a terminal...

s.sch005

(1) If the Board grants an application for a terminal...

s.sch005

(1) Relevant information held by the Secretary of State about...

s.sch005

(1) Regulations may prescribe circumstances in which, and conditions subject...

s.sch005

(1) This paragraph provides for annual increases to compensation payable...

s.sch005

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision...

s.sch005

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision...

s.sch005

In this Schedule— “the initial annual rate of compensation” is...

s.sch005

(1) The Board may determine the percentage that is to...

s.sch005

(1) This paragraph applies for the purpose of determining the...

s.sch005

(1) Compensation is payable in accordance with this paragraph where...

s.sch005

(1) This paragraph applies where — (a) the transferee dies...

s.sch005

(1) Compensation is payable in accordance with this paragraph where...

s.sch005

(1) This paragraph applies where— (a) the transferee dies after...

s.sch005

(1) This paragraph applies for the purpose of calculating the...

s.sch005

(1) A transferee who is entitled to periodic compensation under...

s.sch006

The Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (c. 18) is amended as...

s.sch006

The Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 (c. 42) is...

s.sch006

In section 17 (orders for financial provision and property adjustment),...

s.sch006

In section 18(7) (matters to which court to have regard),...

s.sch006

(1) Section 21 (application of certain provisions of Part 2...

s.sch006

The Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33) is amended as...

s.sch006

After Part 4 of Schedule 5 (pension sharing orders on...

s.sch006

(1) Part 5 of Schedule 5 (matters to which court...

s.sch006

(1) Part 7 of Schedule 5 (pension protection fund compensation...

s.sch006

(1) Part 11 of Schedule 5 (variation, discharge etc of...

s.sch006

In Part 14 of Schedule 5 (miscellaneous and supplementary) after...

s.sch006

After section 21A (pension sharing orders) insert— Pension compensation sharing...

s.sch006

(1) In Schedule 7 (financial relief in England and Wales...

s.sch006

After section 24D (pension sharing orders: apportionment of charges) insert—...

s.sch006

(1) Section 25 (matters to which court is to have...

s.sch006

In section 25A(1) (exercise of court's powers in favour of...

s.sch006

In section 25E(9) (the Pension Protection Fund), omit the definition...

s.sch006

After section 25E insert— Attachment of pension compensation (1) This section applies where, having regard to any PPF...

s.sch006

(1) Section 31 (variation, discharge etc of certain orders for...

s.sch006

After section 40A (appeals relating to pension sharing orders which...

s.sch007

The Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985 (c. 37) is amended...

s.sch007

In section 8 (orders for financial provision)—

s.sch007

After section 8A insert— Pension compensation sharing orders: apportionment of...

s.sch007

In section 10 (sharing of value of matrimonial property or...

s.sch007

In section 12A (orders for payment of capital sum: pensions...

s.sch007

After section 12A insert— Order for payment of capital sum:...

s.sch007

In section 13 (order for periodical allowance), in subsection (2)(b),...

s.sch007

In section 16 (agreements on financial provision)—

s.sch007

In section 27 (interpretation)— (a) in subsection (1), before the...

s.sch008

Schedule 7 to the Pensions Act 2004 (c. 35) (pension...

s.sch008

Amendments of Schedule 7 to the Pensions Act 2004

s.sch008

Amendments of Schedule 7 to the Pensions Act 2004

s.sch008

In paragraph 25(3), after “before that person attains normal pension...

s.sch008

After paragraph 25 insert— Deferral of compensation (1) Regulations may prescribe circumstances in which, and conditions subject...

s.sch008

After paragraph 25A (inserted by paragraph 13 above) insert— Terminal...

s.sch008

In paragraph 33, make the existing provision sub-paragraph (1) and...

s.sch008

In paragraph 34(1), after “ill health” insert “ or otherwise...

s.sch008

For paragraph 35(2)(a) substitute— (a) in the case of a...

s.sch008

For paragraph 35(3) substitute— (3) This sub-paragraph applies to a...

s.sch008

In paragraph 3(6), at the end, add “ to the...

s.sch008

In paragraph 5(5), at the end, add “ to the...

s.sch008

In paragraph 11(8), after “paragraph 24 (commutation),” insert— “ paragraph...

s.sch008

In paragraph 13, after sub-paragraph (3) insert—

s.sch008

In paragraph 14(9), after “paragraph 20 (compensation in respect of...

s.sch008

In paragraph 15(6), after “paragraph 24 (commutation),” insert— “ paragraph...

s.sch008

In paragraph 18, after sub-paragraph (3) insert—

s.sch008

In paragraph 19(8), after “This paragraph is subject to—” insert—...

s.sch009

The Pensions Act 2004 (c. 35) is amended as follows....

s.sch009

After section 43 (financial support directions) insert— Financial support directions:...

s.sch009

In section 306(2) (overriding requirements)— (a) after paragraph (d) insert—...

s.sch009

In section 316(2) (subordinate legislation that is subject to affirmative...

s.sch009

In Part 4 of Schedule 2 (the reserved regulatory functions...

s.sch009

(1) In section 44(3) (meaning of “insufficiently resourced”), for paragraph...

s.sch009

(1) The amendments made by paragraphs 2, 6 and 7...

s.sch009

(1) In the case of the first set of regulations...

s.sch009

(1) In section 38(5)(a) (main purpose or one of main...

s.sch009

In section 90(2) (the matters in relation to which the...

s.sch009

In section 96 (standard procedure), after subsection (1) insert—

s.sch009

In section 316(2) (subordinate legislation that is subject to affirmative...

s.sch009

In section 38(5) (acts or failures to act in relation...

s.sch009

(1) Section 38 (contribution notices where avoidance of employer debt)...

s.sch009

(1) In section 38 (contribution notices where avoidance of employer...

s.sch009

After section 39 (the sum specified in a section 38...

s.sch010

After section 175 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 (levies...

s.sch010

The Pensions Act 2004 is amended as follows.

s.sch010

After section 117 ( PPF administration levy) insert— Administration levy:...

s.sch010

In section 173 (Pension Protection Fund), after subsection (1)(b) insert—...

s.sch010

After section 181 (calculation, collection and recovery of levies) insert—...

s.sch010

In section 188 (Fraud Compensation Fund), after subsection (1)(b) insert—...

s.sch010

After section 189 (fraud compensation levy) insert— Fraud compensation levy:...

s.sch010

In section 209 (Ombudsman for the Board of the Pension...

s.sch010

In section 323(2)(b)(i) (provisions extending to Northern Ireland), for “subsections...

Read the full Act on legislation.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)

Official guidance

Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.

Enforcement and responsible bodies

The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.

TPR

The Pensions Regulator

Regulates workplace pensions, defined benefit schemes, and master trusts. All employers must auto-enrol eligible workers into a workplace pension. Enforces employer duties …

Connected legislation

1 statutory instrument

These instruments amend, apply, or refer to this Act. They may not all create direct business obligations.

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Browse legislation

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Regulators

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