Last amended by Pensions Act 2008 in 2008. Introduced automatic enrolment into workplace pensions and created NEST (National Employment Savings Trust).
Independent editorial summary — not the official statute text. Read the official version on legislation.gov.uk.
Summary
The Pensions Act 1995 introduced sweeping reforms to occupational pension scheme regulation in the UK following the Maxwell pension fraud scandal. It established the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (OPRA, later replaced by The Pensions Regulator), introduced minimum funding requirements, and imposed fiduciary duties on pension trustees. The Act strengthened member protection and set the framework for modern pension governance.
Key Points
- Established the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (Part I)
- Set minimum funding requirement for defined benefit schemes (s.56–s.61)
- Required appointment of member-nominated trustees (s.16–s.21)
- Imposed statutory duty of care on trustees (s.33–s.36)
- Introduced equal treatment rule for pension benefits (s.62–s.66)
- Created Pensions Compensation Board for fraud cases (s.78–s.86)
- Enabled winding-up and deficiency provisions (Part III)
Parts & Sections
Amendments History
2004 — Pensions Act 2004
Replaced OPRA with The Pensions Regulator, replaced minimum funding requirement with scheme-specific funding requirements, and established the Pension Protection Fund.
2008 — Pensions Act 2008
Introduced automatic enrolment into workplace pensions and created NEST (National Employment Savings Trust).