- DC trust
- The Purple Book
- Scheme funding analysis
- Scheme governance surveys
- Perceptions tracker surveys
- Other research reports
DC trust
DC trust is an annual publication giving a high-level snapshot of the trust-based DC and hybrid landscape.
-
DC trust: a presentation of scheme return data
Published: November 2011
An analysis of occupational trust-based DC pension provision in the UK based on a wide-ranging data set covering around 45,000 current schemes
- Publication: DC trust: a presentation of scheme return data (PDF, 728kb, 51 pages)
Published: October 2010
The regulator's second analysis of DC trust-based schemes demonstrating the wide range of DC provision in the current market
- Publication: DC trust: a presentation of scheme return data (PDF, 749kb, 58 pages)
Published: July 2009
The first edition of a yearly publication providing a snapshot of the current trust-based DC and hybrid landscape. Information is based on a wide-ranging dataset covering around 55,000 current and 45,000 wound-up schemes.
The Purple Book
The Purple Book is a joint annual publication by the Pension Protection Fund and The Pensions Regulator. It focuses on the risks faced by defined benefit pension schemes, predominantly in the private sector.
- Publication: The Purple Book 2011 (PDF, 4223kb)
Published: January 2012
The Purple Books give the most comprehensive picture of the risks faced by PPF-eligible defined benefit pension schemes
- Publication: The Purple Book 2010 (PDF, 2975kb)
Published: November 2010
The fifth edition of The Purple Book showing that with the economic and financial market environment improving over the last 12 months to March 2010, this led to reduced risks for DB schemes.
- Publication: The Purple Book 2009 (PDF, 6847kb, 156 pages)
Published: January 2010
In-depth analysis of how the UK's DB pension schemes fared during the economic turbulence. Purple 2009 has been based on the most comprehensive datasets extracted from the pensions universe to date, covering around 97% of eligible schemes.
- Publication: The Purple Book 2008 (PDF, 4299kb, 157 pages)
Published: December 2008
The third edition of the purple book, the DB pensions universe risk profile, builds on data from the first two editions. It includes new chapters on PPF compensation payments and risk education and analyses data from over 93% of PPF-eligible schemes.
- Publication: The Purple Book 2007 (PDF, 2787kb, 159 pages)
Published: December 2007
The second edition of the pensions universe risk profile, aimed at increasing knowledge and helping understanding of DB schemes in the UK. Purple 2007 builds on data gathered in its predecessor and includes information from a further 2,000 schemes.
- Publication: The Purple Book 2006 (PDF, 507kb, 96 pages)
Published: December 2006
The first edition of the Pensions Universe Risk Profile, a joint publication by The Pensions Regulator and the Pension Protection Fund. The purple book focuses on the risks of DB scheme members not receiving promised benefits and of calls on the PPF.
Scheme funding analysis
The annual scheme funding report is based on the analysis of recovery plans submitted to The Pensions Regulator. It is presented in order to reflect the current status of scheme funding, but also provides a brief overview of clearances. (The statistics contained in this publication are produced in accordance with the UK Statistics Authority Code for official statistics which came into force in January 2009.)
- Report: Recovery plans: scheme funding and other security arrangements (PDF, 702kb, 27 pages)
Published: June 2011
A report on the funding element of recovery plans studying all those tranche 4 plans included in the December 2010 report, with the addition of 373 plans submitted after 31 August 2010.
- Report: Recovery plans: assumptions and triggers (PDF, 731kb, 48 pages)
Published: December 2010
An analysis of recovery plans received up to 31 August 2010 from defined benefit PPF-eligible schemes that were in deficit at their valuation.
- Report: Scheme funding: an analysis of recovery plans (PDF, 357kb, 48 pages)
Published: November 2009
An overview of the first triennial cycle of the new scheme funding regime for DB and hybrid pension schemes. Based on 3 tranches set in very different economic conditions, we explore the impact of these differing economic factors on scheme funding.
- Report: Scheme funding (PDF, 1742kb, 94 pages)
Published: December 2008
A report providing detailed feedback and analysis on the behaviours seen in both scheme funding where recovery plans have been put in place, and clearance applications.
- Overview: Summary of the recovery plan data analysis (PDF, 749kb, 58 pages)
Published: September 2007
An overview of the initial analysis of the recovery plan data submitted to the regulator. This document summarises key findings and how we handle submissions whose recovery plan returns trigger further regulatory investigation.
- Report: Recovery plan data analysis (PDF, 1322kb, 52 pages)
Published: September 2007
The full report of the initial analysis of the recovery plans and valuation summaries submitted to the regulator up to the end of July 2007. It looks at a wider range of factors than the summary document, including an overview of the legislation.
Scheme governance surveys
The annual governance survey is conducted by The Pensions Regulator amongst a representative sample of trust-based occupational schemes across industry. It's designed to monitor the standards of scheme governance of trust-based occupational pension schemes and to inform the regulator’s understanding.
- Report: Occupational pension scheme governance 2011 (PDF, 271kb, 50 pages)
Published: May 2011
- Report: Occupational pension scheme governance 2009 (PDF, 2553kb, 50 pages)
Published: November 2009
- Report: Occupational pension scheme governance survey 2008 (PDF, 403kb, 46 pages)
Published: July 2008
- Report: Occupational pension scheme governance 2008: technical appendices (PDF, 442kb, 15 pages)
Published: July 2008
- Report: Occupational pension scheme governance 2007 (PDF, 288kb, 56 pages)
Published: July 2007
- Report: Occupational pension scheme governance 2007: technical appendices (PDF, 345kb, 60 pages)
Published: July 2007
- Report: Occupational pension scheme governance 2007: presentation slides (PDF, 1335kb, 121 pages)
Published: July 2007
- Report: Occupational pension scheme governance 2006 (PDF, 202kb, 48 pages)
Published: September 2006
- Report: Occupational pension scheme governance 2006: technical appendices (PDF, 369kb, 56 pages)
Published: September 2006
Perceptions tracker surveys
The perceptions tracker survey is an annual survey involving extensive interviews across our key stakeholder audiences.
It enables us to monitor opinions and perceptions of us as a regulator and gives a good indication of how satisfied people are with their contact with us.
Note: In a redesign of the survey in 2006 the scale was revised in order to improve quality and accuracy. While this brings improvements in survey results now and in future years, it means it's not possible to directly compare results from 2005 to 2006.
- Report: Perceptions tracker 2007 (PDF, 343kb, 91 pages)
Published: April 2008
The full report on findings from the fourth independent perceptions survey. It provides a detailed breakdown and analysis of stakeholder responses regarding key elements, both in our performance and in perception of us as a regulator.
- Presentation: Perceptions tracker 2006 (PDF, 527kb, 63 pages)
Published: April 2007
Presentation slides with results from the 2006 stakeholder survey. The redesign for this year allowed a more realistic picture of perceptions of the regulator across the whole industry. Overall, performance and perceptions continue to be positive.
- Presentation: Perceptions tracker 2005 (PDF, 341kb, 58 pages)
Published: March 2006
Presentation slides from the stakeholder survey of 2005 and the perception of the new regulator. Findings indicate that overall, awareness of the regulator’s role and satisfaction with the quality of its communications has increased from its predecessor.
Other research reports
- Report: Employers' awareness, understanding and activity relating to workplace pension reforms (PDF, 4504kb)
Published: December 2011
Report produced by BMG Research for The Pensions Regulator and follows the previous wave conducted January to March 2011
- Report: Employers' awareness, understanding and activity relating to workplace pensions reform 2011 (PDF, 2283kb, 48 pages)
Published: August 2011
Report produced by BMG Research for The Pensions Regulator - conducted as part of a larger piece of fieldwork that also researched Extending Working Life for the DWP
- Report: Scheme record-keeping (PDF, 626kb, 51 pages)
Published: April 2011
A report on the 2011 scheme record-keeping survey
- Report: A review of retirement information for DC members (PDF, 686kb, 28 pages)
Published: October 2009
Members of DC schemes are faced with many choices about their pension savings and retirement income. This report reviews pre-retirement literature, identifying areas for improvement in communication to members and provides examples of good practice.
- Report: Self-service scheme return and data maintenance research project (PDF, 59kb, 8 pages)
Published: December 2007
Final summary report by iQ Research Ltd on behalf of the Pensions Regulator. The report outlines steps taken and findings on research into customers’ attitudes towards a move to online services, for activities that were previously paper-based.
- Report: Trustee toolkit research (PDF, 138kb, 23 pages)
Published: September 2008
A report on the findings of research into the effectiveness of the trustee toolkit, both as a learning tool and as an agent for change in trustee behaviour and scheme governance. It was well received in delivering the required trustee learning.
- Report: Trustee toolkit research: technical appendix (PDF, 838kb, 29 pages)
Published: September 2008
Technical appendix on the research into the effectiveness of the trustee toolkit. It explains the approach taken and details the questions asked.
