7 Accepted

GAD's note significantly influenced AEAT members' pension transfer decisions, despite caveats.

Recommendation
GAD’s note suggested that scheme members seek independent financial advice if they were unsure of the most suitable course of action.10 We asked GAD whether it was realistic for scheme members to get independent financial advice, particularly when GAD is a well-recognised authority on public sector pensions and members were only given one month to make their decision. GAD told us that the range of individual circumstances which members may have been in would have made it impossible for the note to provide appropriate financial advice for each individual. GAD also said that the fact the note mentions that it was not financial advice should have been a sign that this was a matter to take seriously. GAD told us it did not believe the note would have been the only basis on which members made their decision.11 However, nearly 90% of scheme members transferred their benefits. Scheme members have said their decision was heavily influenced by GAD’s note, given GAD’s role as a professional body independent of the pension scheme, and the stated intention of the note to “outline the main factors to take into consideration in deciding whether or not to transfer”. Scheme members have also reported that independent financial advisors who were consulted largely deferred to GAD’s note.12
Government Response Summary
The government agrees to support informed pension decisions by September 2023, committing to write to the Committee with specific actions and highlighting initiatives like the Stronger Nudge to Pensions Guidance and Pensions Dashboards.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government Accepted
4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: September 2023 4.2 The government will write to the Committee setting out the action it is taking to support people to make informed decisions about their pensions by encouraging the use of appropriate advice and guidance and reducing the complexity of decisions savers are required to take. 4.3 The government has recently taken significant steps to support people to make informed decisions about their pensions. The Stronger Nudge to Pensions Guidance ensures no-one accesses Defined Contribution pension savings without receiving Pension Wise guidance, or actively opting out of receiving it. The government is delivering the mid-life MOT in Jobcentre plus offices nationally; employers in the North East, East Anglia, and Devon and Cornwall through private sector providers; and launched an improved digital service in July 2023. The mid-life MOT provides and signposts to guidance around careers, health and finances, including pensions. 4.4 On 19 July 2023, the government made regulations with a new approach to delivery of Pensions Dashboards that allows the government to work more collaboratively with the pensions industry. The government remains as committed as ever to making pensions dashboards a reality and is ambitious about their delivery. The government is confident that this re-appraised approach will enable it to make significant progress on delivering dashboards safely and securely, enabling consumers to take advantage of their benefits to plan for retirement.
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age 3.1 yrs
Report published 14 Jun 2023