Source · National Audit Office

Public Service Pensions

Published: 19 Mar 2021 Recommendations: 5 Type: Value for Money NAO confirmed: 4 Department: Department for Education

This report outlines how the public service pensions landscape has changed since the Hutton Review and highlights future challenges.

Dept: Department for EducationDepartment of Health and Social CareHM TreasuryMinistry of Defence Topics: Commercial and financial managementFinancial sustainabilityWork, welfare and pensions nao.org.uk →

Recommendations

5 items
4 accepted 1 partially accepted 5 implemented
Rec Recommendation Addressee Acceptance Implementation
1
HM Treasury should: a) develop plans to address the impact of the administrative challenge that its proposals in response to the McCloud judgment will have for employers and scheme administrators, so any changes can be implemented whilst maintaining a good level of service for members;
Ref Page 12, paragraph 22, point a · Implemented Q3 2023-24
HM Treasury Accepted Implemented ✓ NAO
2
b) resolve its concerns about the cost control mechanism and be open and transparent about the impact of any changes it makes for employers and scheme members;
Ref Page 12, paragraph 22, point b · Implemented Q4 2023-24
HM Treasury Accepted Implemented ✓ NAO
3
c) in conjunction with the Cabinet Office, work closely with employers to understand how public service pensions can best support their workforce planning, to ensure pensions are an effective tool in recruiting and retaining the staff they need;
Ref Page 12, paragraph 22, point c · Implemented Q4 2023-24
HM Treasury Partially accepted Implemented
4
d) consider government’s overall approach to ensuring that employees understand their pensions, particularly for the three million scheme members affected by the McCloud judgment who will need reliable and timely information, including from scheme administrators, to make decisions about their retirement plans; and
Ref Page 12, paragraph 22, point d · Implemented Q1 2025-26
HM Treasury Accepted Implemented ✓ NAO
5
e) consider whether broader performance measures, covering affordability and its other objectives, would give it greater assurance that it is delivering its objectives for public service pensions. For example, it could collect and analyse information regularly on the rate at which some groups are opting out of schemes.
Ref Page 12, paragraph 22, point e · Implemented Q4 2024-25
HM Treasury Accepted Implemented ✓ NAO