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PPF confirms zero levy for 2026/27

The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) has announced that it will not charge a levy on conventional DB schemes for the second consecutive year.  The PPF has assessed that the progress of the Pension Schemes Bill towards making changes to the calculation method for the levies will allow this to proceed.  The current method would otherwise prevent a higher levy from being applied in future years as a consequence of the consecutive years with zero levies.

A proportionate risk-based Alternative Covenant Schemes levy will continue to apply.  This applies for schemes without a traditional employer covenant in place, including DB superfunds.

PASA publishes Part 3 of Digital Administration Guidance

The Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) has published the third and final part of its Digital Admin Guidance series on delivering effective digital transformation. The guidance covers embedding saver engagement and continuous improvement into day to day operations.  It emphasises the importance of the member experience being at the centre of decisions on digital admin systems.

The guidance suggests that member engagement can be promoted by adapting the digital platform according to the scheme’s maturity, providing an ongoing sense of support.  It also covers change management and implementation strategies for digital change projects.  The previous parts of the guidance cover:

• what digital best practice looks like and taking the first steps towards digital transformation.
• planning frameworks, understanding current capabilities and creating a roadmap for change.
   

ICO publishes guidance on dealing with complaints

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has published guidance on how to deal with data protection complaints.  It covers requirements which will be enforced by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 from 19 June 2026.  In summary, these will require data controllers (which may include pension scheme trustees) to:

• give people a way of making data protection complaints;
• acknowledge receipt of complaints within 30 days of receiving them; 
• without undue delay, take appropriate steps to respond to complaints, including making appropriate enquiries, and keep people informed; and
• without undue delay, tell people the outcome of their complaints.

Someone can raise a data protection complaint if they believe data protection legislation has been breached in the way their personal information or the information of someone they represent has been handled.  This could include concerns about inadequate data security, keeping inaccurate data or the scheme’s response to a subject access request.

The guide sets out the steps to take when a complaint is received.  Responses should clearly set out what has been done to resolve the complaint and schemes should be prepared to provide more detail if the complainant is unhappy with that response.  As good practice, the ICO recommends including its contact details as part of the response process.