Benefit information statements (PSPS)

General code in force: 28 March 2024

1. Scheme managers of public service pension schemes must provide all active members with an annual benefit information statement¹. They may also be required to provide a benefit information statement to certain types of members on request².
2. They must also provide annual benefit information statements to deferred members and pension credit members of the scheme, where this is required by scheme regulations.
3. When drafting benefit information statements, scheme managers should follow the principles set out in General principles for member communications.
4. For active members of defined benefit (DB) schemes, scheme managers must:
   1. include a description of the benefits earned by members during their pensionable service³
   2. issue the annual statement by no later than 31 August of the year following the period to which the statement relates
   3. comply with any HM Treasury directions, in terms of any other information that must be included and the way it must be provided to members
5. For active, deferred, or pension credit members of any DB scheme, scheme managers must:
   1. provide a benefit information statement following a request for one, if the information has not been provided to that member in the previous 12 months
   2. issue a benefit information statement as soon as possible following a valid request for one, and within two months
   3. include the information required by law⁴ in any benefit information statement
6. For members with defined contribution (DC) benefits, scheme managers must:
   1. provide a benefit information statement regarding their DC benefits to every member within 12 months of the end of the scheme year (irrespective of whether they also have DB benefits)
   2. include the information required by law⁵ in any benefit information statement. See Annual pension benefit statements (DC).
7. Where the applicable public service scheme regulations require additional benefit information to be provided to members, or for statements to be given at shorter intervals than set out above, those scheme regulations will also apply.

Legal references

¹ Section 14(1) of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013. [Article 14(1) of the Public Service Pensions Act 2014]

² Regulation 16 of the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2013 [Regulation 16 of the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014]

³ Section 14(2)(a) of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013. [Section 14(2)(a) of the Public Service Pensions Act 2014]

⁴ Regulation 16(2) of the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2013 [Regulation 16(2) of the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014]

⁵ Regulation 17 of the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2013 [Regulation 17 of the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014]