Four potential operators of pensions dashboards have partnered on the launch of a new Dashboard Operators Coalition (DOC), which will aim to help the government deliver pensions dashboards to consumers as early as possible.

As part of the coalition, Just Group, Legal & General, Moneyhub and Standard Life, will work with government and regulators to help support the safe, secure and successful early launch of multiple pensions dashboards.

The group will also look to help ensure dashboards meet different users’ needs effectively at launch, as well as providing consumer feedback to inform future iterative dashboards enhancements.

The coalition said that it aims to address the "numerous" challenges remaining around testing, launching and iterating pensions dashboards, arguing that "some critical topics haven’t yet had detailed attention".

In particular, the group will look to agree the optimal scope of statutory pre-connection audits (PCAs) so dashboards’ adherence to the Pensions Dashboards Programme (PDP) standards delivers a consistent consumer experience.

It will also aim to address issues around identity service integration, to ensure a "seamless, yet secure", consumer user journey, and support the Secretary of State’s assessment to make the dashboards available point (DAP) launch notice as early as possible for consumers.

The group will be headed up by independent dashboards consultant, Richard Smith, who previously led the development of the PDP data standards for dashboards, and is currently actively supporting the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA), Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) and Moneyhub on dashboards.

Commenting on the launch, Smith stated: “On the supply of data to dashboards, the PASA is working very closely with the government’s PDP.

“Now, for the ‘front-end’ consumer experience of dashboards themselves, there needs to be an equivalent industry coalition, where dashboard operators can come together to share their questions, ideas and feedback to develop and maintain best practice for operating dashboards.

“We know from research reports that consumers desperately want to use commercial pensions dashboards, on apps they already use and trust (such as their banking or pension app). And they want to do this as soon as possible.

“So I’m very grateful to the first four firms (Just Group, Legal & General, Moneyhub and Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group) for taking the lead with this new coalition. I hope other firms will see the benefits of joining the coalition too, as they decide to offer their own dashboards.”

Adding to this, PDP principal, Chris Curry, said: “The theme running throughout the delivery of pensions dashboards is that we’ll make a success of them by working together.

"The Pensions Dashboards Programme welcomes initiatives that foster greater collaboration between industry, regulators and government.

“The development of dashboards will be a crucial step to giving people the tools to enhance engagement with their pensions, and we’ll continue to work closely with all organisations looking to become dashboard providers.”

Initially instigated by four firms, the DOC said that all other organisations are welcome to join the coalition as they commit to offering their own pensions dashboards.

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