Microsites

Pensions

For most people, their pension represents the largest source of wealth that they will accumulate over their lives. In accumulation and decumulation the wealth management, financial advice and planning industry provides a reassuringly regulated and professional service that puts the customer at the heart of everything they do.

This has become increasingly complex for firms over the preceding decade as they have sought to navigate a changing regulatory environment. Despite substantive reforms such as the introduction of automatic enrolment, pension freedoms, changes to pension transfer advice and more, pensions continue to be a subject of reform from Regulators and the Government. Over the coming years we believe that we see more consolidation of pension schemes, further drive towards value for money, and a drive to focus the way in which and where these schemes invest. Where these reforms directly impact PIMFA firms, we will engage on your behalf to secure change in your interests.

The FCA has published retirement income market data for 2024-2025, with key findings set out:

  • Total number of pension plans accessed for the first time in 2024/25 increased by 8.6% to 961,575 compared to 2023/24 (885,455).
  • Sales of drawdown policies saw the biggest increase from 278,977 in 2023/24 to 349,992 in 2024/25 (25.5%).
  • Sales of annuities increased by 7.8% from 82,061 in 2023/24 to 88,430 in 2024/25.
  • The overall value of money being withdrawn from pension pots increased to £70,876m in 2024/25 from £52,152m in 2023/24. This is an increase of 35.9%.
  • 30.6% of pension plans accessed for the first time in 2024/25 were accessed by plan holders who took regulated advice (down from 30.9% in 2023/24).
  • The number of DB to DC transfers continued to fall from 7,181 in 2023/24 to 6,418 in 2024/25.

Access the publication here.

FCA DP24/3: Pensions: Adapting our requirements for a changing market

PIMFA Responds to FCA DP24/3: Pensions: Adapting our requirements for a changing market

Read the response here

This guide provides a review of the FCA policy statement on pension transfer advice.

Read the guide now

FCA PS25/22: Supporting consumers’ pensions and investment decisions: rules for targeted support

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published near-final rules for a new regulatory framework for targeted support in pensions and retail investments.

This follows the publication of two joint statements in December with the FOS and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):

The aim is to help firms prepare as the FCA advises it is on track to enable firms to begin applying for permission to provide targeted support from March 2026, before the new rules come into effect, subject to legislation. We expect the rules to take effect from 6 April 2026.

The FCA’s pre-application support service (PASS) is available to firms planning to apply for a targeted support permission. Firms can request a pre-application meeting via the PASS section of Connect.

Read more details here.

Pensions Dashboards Programme update

The Pensions Dashboards Programme (overseen by Money and Pensions Service) has published a progress report relating to the MoneyHelper Pensions Dashboard.

Read the report here.

Almost there...

Complete the quick form below to download the Membership Brochure