The Pensions Regulator

Our partnerships

The Pensions Regulator works in partnership with a range of regulatory and other bodies: the main ones are described here.

Department for Work and Pensions

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for developing UK pensions policy and the law governing UK pension schemes. The Pensions Regulator can suggest changes to the law, but we cannot make or change laws or government regulations.

View the framework document between the Pensions Regulator and the DWP.

View the tripartite memorandum of understanding between the DWP, the Pension Protection Fund and the Pensions Regulator.

Pension Protection Fund

Like the Pensions Regulator, this is a non-departmental public body established by the Pensions Act 2004.

The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) is a compensation scheme for members of eligible defined benefit pension schemes where the sponsoring employer becomes insolvent and the scheme is underfunded. The costs of the fund will be met, in part, by levies which we will collect.

We work closely with the PPF to monitor high-risk schemes and minimise calls for compensation. We use our anti-avoidance powers to ensure that employers do not take advantage of the compensation scheme.

View the memorandum of understanding between the Pensions Regulator and the Pension Protection Fund.

View the partnering agreement between the Pensions Regulator and the Pension Protection Fund.

View the tripartite memorandum of understanding between the DWP, the Pensions Regulator and the Pension Protection Fund.

The Pensions Advisory Service

The Pensions Advisory Service provides information and guidance on all types of pension scheme. They will help people with individual pension problems and disputes.

The Pensions Ombudsman

The Pensions Ombudsman investigates and decides complaints and disputes about the way that pension schemes are run. The Ombudsman will normally become involved only when the pension scheme's own internal dispute resolution process has failed to resolve a complaint.

The Financial Services Authority

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulates the sale and marketing of personal and stakeholder pensions to individuals. It also oversees the financial viability of organisations that manage pension investments, and can take action to make sure that the individuals who run financial organisations are fit and proper for the task.

View the memorandum of understanding between the FSA and the Pensions Regulator.

The Committee of European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Supervisors

The Committee of European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Supervisors (CEIOPS) is an advisory body set up to implement European Union (EU) insurance and pensions legislation.

The Pensions Regulator is a member of the CEIOPS working group considering effective implementation of the European Directive Activities and supervision of institutions for occupational retirement provisions (Directive 2003/41/EC), and the practical issues that will arise from the provisions for cross border pension schemes. The group is working towards a common understanding of the Directive, so that it can consider the systems needed for appropriate co-operation and co-ordination. The Pensions Regulator is represented on CEIOPS by our chief executive, Tony Hobman.