More than 70 million pension records are now connected to the pensions dashboards ecosystem, according to the latest update from the Money and Pensions Service (Maps).

The figure represented around 85 per cent of records currently in scope for pensions dashboards, and includes nearly 1,500 pension providers and schemes that have completed connection, including the first four cohorts of medium-sized providers and schemes.

The milestone builds on the state pension data already connected to the ecosystem and comes with just over five months remaining until the final connection deadline of 31 October 2026.

Maps confirmed that connections will continue ahead of the deadline, while the public launch date for pensions dashboards is currently expected in the 2027/28 financial year.

The update also follows last week’s interim report from the second Pensions Commission, which highlighted the potential for pensions dashboards to improve engagement and influence pension consolidation behaviour.

Commenting on the progress, AJ Bell head of public policy, Rachel Vahey, said the latest figures were encouraging but warned savers still faced a wait until at least next April before dashboards became publicly available.

“With just over five months to go before the final 31 October deadline to connect, there is still time for any pension schemes not yet fully connected to do so," she stated.

“At a time when pensions adequacy is undergoing increased scrutiny, with the Pension Commission last week saying that dashboards have the potential to improve engagement with pensions and lead to better outcomes for savers, there will be growing pressure for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to announce the long-awaited launch date for dashboards.”

Vahey noted that the dashboards project had been a long-standing ambition for both government and industry, despite delays and setbacks during development.

"Doing so will give people the ability to see all their pensions in one place at the touch of a button,” she continued.

“But implementing it is no easy task, with the project so far beset by delays and restarts.

"However, the hope is that we are now – albeit slowly – inching our way towards a launch date.”

She added that a public launch would depend on all schemes completing their connections and the system undergoing extensive testing, which isn't expected until mid-2027 at the earliest.

“We still have a long way to go in the pensions dashboard journey, but it’s a prize worth pursuing," Vahey said.

"People need to plan and save for their later financial years. But no one can do that without clear, robust information.

"The dashboard will hopefully make a difference in giving people the confidence to face up to their pension planning and make decisions to secure a brighter financial future.”

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