The Pensions Regulator

Book excerpt: Some 20 million people in England and Wales have private sector work-based pension schemes. The Pensions Regulator was established in April 2005 to regulate these schemes, replacing the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (Opra), with the statutory objectives to protect members' benefits, to promote improved governance of such schemes, and to reduce the risk of compensation being paid out by the Pension Protection Fund. This NAO report examines the regulatory approach taken and whether this addresses the key risks, given that any conclusions on the effectiveness of pensions regulation must be set in the long term context rather than based on shorter term fluctuations. Findings include that the Pensions Regulator has made good progress in establishing a sound risk-based approach to regulation, with clear links between its statutory objectives and its operational approach. As the regulator matures, it has the scope for a presumption of further transparency in its approach, and is taking steps to increase the information it makes available to the pensions sector. The report sets out a number of recommendations for further progress, bearing in mind that risks in the pensions environment can change quickly.