The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a call for evidence on the alternative quality requirement tests for defined benefit (DB) and hybrid schemes used for auto-enrolment (AE), running until 21 October.

The consultation, Automatic enrolment: alternative quality requirements for defined benefit and hybrid schemes being used as a workplace pension, aims to ascertain whether or not the government’s policy intentions in this area are continuing to be being achieved.

In particular, it will seek views on how the simplifications and flexibilities introduced under the test work in practice and who is carrying out the tests.

The department is required to undertake a triennial review of the regulations made under the powers in Section 23A(1), which set out the alternative quality requirement for DB schemes that are used for AE, with the last having taken place in 2017.

The DWP stated that the overarching aim of the review is to test to what extent the regulations are operating as intended, including any unintended consequences, and to what degree the provisions are continuing to deliver “simplification and efficiencies” for employers and pension schemes.

It confirmed that the government response to the call for evidence will also outline the conclusions of the statutory reviews into the alternative quality requirements conducted by the department.

Share Story: