Now we are in May, we have passed an important milestone. There are now less than six months to go until the deadline for completing to connection to the pensions dashboards ecosystem.

On 31 October 2026, all pension providers and schemes in scope of legislation must be connected.

We’ve already seen significant progress. Over 1,000 providers and schemes have completed connection to the ecosystem. This means more than 60 million workplace and personal pension records are connected, or around three-quarters of those records in scope. This is in addition to the 10s of millions of state pension records already connected.

Pressing ahead with preparations

Before we reach the end of October, there is still work to do with a number of providers and schemes to meet their obligations. All providers subject to Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules on pensions dashboards, and any occupational pension scheme with 100 or more members, are in scope.

If you meet these criteria, you are subject to requirements around the preparation and maintenance of data for dashboards via standards set by the Money and Pensions Service (Maps). These set out the form data needs to take, and what you need to do in order to connect and remain connected to the ecosystem.

One of the important decisions you need to make is around your data matching approach. This involves setting the criteria for matching an individual’s personal details with the customer or member data you hold in your records, so you are able to provide the data viewable on a dashboard.

In all this, it’s important to remember that help is available. The Pensions Dashboards Programme (PDP), overseen by Maps, has a range of guidance available on our website. Regulators have also produced useful information, including The Pensions Regulator’s guidance for trustees and managers of occupational pension schemes.

Knowing when you need to connect

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) published a timetable in guidance for connecting to the dashboards ecosystem, with a series of dates for providers and schemes based on size and type. If you’re unclear about when you need to connect, your relevant regulator should be able to help.

If you plan to connect more than 30 days before or after your connection date in guidance, you need to contact PDP and your regulator so we can update our information.

Nonetheless, you must demonstrate you have had regard to the timetable in guidance when setting your date to connect.

Connection and beyond

Once you are ready to begin connection, you will work through a process with PDP to register and connect to the ecosystem. Most organisations are connecting through an integrated service provider or a third-party administrator. PDP’s website includes a detailed step-by-step guide if you are using this route.

Completing connection does not mean an end to your obligations. You need to continue to ensure your organisation remains connected to the ecosystem, by meeting the requirements set out in dashboards standards. You must ensure your data remains accurate and complete, as well as reporting back the necessary information to Maps and the regulators.

Please remember – you’re not alone in this. PDP can provide help and support to guide you through your journey. Regulators have also provided useful information – for example, TPR has a range of materials available on its website, including pre- and post-connection checklists and an explanation of what schemes should be once they have completed their connection journey.

If all pension providers and schemes in scope connect in line with DWP’s guidance, more than 99 per cent of pension records will be available to find and view through a dashboard. By keeping up the hard work, we will ensure that we make a success of pensions dashboards.

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