The Pensions Dashboards Programme (PDP) has confirmed that it will be looking to engage with the industry on dashboards connection guidance in “autumn 2023”, with further engagement on the dashboards standards set to take place over winter 2023/24.

The PDP’s latest update report looked at the progress since April 2023, confirming that the PDP has been focused on producing a new programme plan to help facilitate pension providers and schemes meet the October 2026 connection deadline.

The government previously announced that the connection deadline had been pushed back to 2026 as part of the dashboards reset, also confirming that, rather than setting out the entire staging timeline in legislation, it would instead set this out in guidance.

While PDP has previously emphasised that it will look to engage with the industry on this guidance, the latest update provided further detail on this, confirming that this engagement is expected in autumn 2023.

In the meantime, work has also continued with the programme’s 20-plus volunteer participant organisations on developing the connection journey for the rest of industry, which the PDP argued is "invaluable" in ensuring that connection processes are stable and effective when connection begins.

The PDP also provided further information about dashboards standards, revealing that further engagement on standards will take place over winter 2023/24 on refinements.

According to the report, it is intended that data standards will be made available ahead of other standards, timed to coincide with publication of connection guidance.

In addition to this, the PDP confirmed that it will be launching a user testing and planning group for wider industry from 2024, acknowledging that user research and testing play a "crucial role" in developing and designing dashboards services.

PDP is also expected to regularly share updates and insights from its user testing.

PDP principal, Chris Curry, stated: “With the government committed to helping people better understand their retirement savings, pensions dashboards will allow users to see all their pensions information together in one online and secure place.

"There is plenty of evidence to suggest that people are not as engaged with their pensions as they could be. Consumers and industry will benefit from dashboards.

“I remain truly grateful for the open and co-operative spirit demonstrated by all those involved in making dashboards a reality.

"Across industry, government, the regulators and more, there has been a dedication to delivering a service that will help people be more engaged with their pensions, and I want to thank them for everything they continue to do.”

Read further insight on the key updates from the report from PDP principal, Chris Curry, here.

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