When I look back on 2024, I feel that we can be proud of the forward progress towards making pensions dashboards a reality this year. I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on developments over the past 12 months, as well as looking ahead to what’s coming up in 2025.

Connection

In March, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) issued a statement announcing guidance on connecting to pensions dashboards. This included a timetable for connection to the dashboards ecosystem by pension providers and schemes from April 2025.

In August, PDP began connecting the first of our ‘volunteer participants’, organisations that are building a direct connection the dashboards ecosystem, through which the vast majority of pension providers and schemes will share data.

All 20-plus volunteer participants have now been invited to start their connection journeys, with 3 having already completed integration testing.

Following the General Election, the new government affirmed its commitment to pensions dashboards in a written statement. DWP also clarified the intention to prioritise the MoneyHelper dashboard being developed by the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS).

This will ensure that a dashboard is made available at the earliest possible point. It will also create greater opportunities for testing with users before commercial dashboards launch. The government remains committed to delivering commercial dashboards after the MoneyHelper dashboard becomes publicly available.

Updated standards, and identity service provider confirmation

From the spring, PDP began releasing updated versions of mandatory dashboards standards. This included data standards, covering the data requirements for finding and viewing pensions information. Technical standards, reporting standards and the code of connection were also updated.

We also announced GOV.UK One Login as the identity service provider for anyone using dashboards. Provided by the UK government, GOV.UK One Login ensures users only have to prove their identity once and can use this proof to access other services they use, saving time and effort.

Bringing industry together

Early in the year, the Pensions Dashboards Programme (PDP) also updated on important changes to how it operates. A new pensions dashboards advisory group was set up, bringing together representatives from industry to shape the delivery of dashboards. This included members of PDP’s previous steering group.

PDP rounded off 2024 by leading a full-day ‘town hall’ event hosted by the MaPs, bringing together representatives from industry, government and regulators. This was an occasion for many of those involved in dashboards to review the progress we’ve made, and discuss how work will progress over the coming months.

There was positive and collaborative engagement by everyone who attended, and I was pleased it provided an opportunity to restate our collective dedication to delivering dashboards.

Looking ahead

This year saw gathering momentum behind dashboards, and 2025 will be the year the pace picks up even more. Volunteer participant connection will continue in the new year, with insights helping to refine the process.

From April, connection in line with the timetable in guidance will get underway, and we hope to share updates and lessons learnt.

More information on user testing plans will become available, along with updates from MaPS about the MoneyHelper dashboard. There will also be engagement with industry on preparing the ground for commercial dashboards, looking at the opportunities and challenges involved.

It’s been an exciting time for pensions dashboards in 2024, and I’m looking forward to working together in 2025.

---