Number of micro schemes registered with TPR
FOI reference - FOI-402
Date - 10 August 2025
Request
“I am compiling a request concerning banking facility problems for SSAS schemes to HM Treasury.
To estimate how many schemes/members may be similarly affected can you please provide an
approximate number of schemes registered with yourselves?
The initial study area is likely to be micro schemes, whether DB or DC.
Ideally we would hope to receive total numbers broken down as Micro DC: Micro DB: Non- Micro
DC: Non-Micro DB plus all otherwise classified."
Response
I can confirm that we hold this information. This response addresses a Freedom of Information (FOI) request regarding the number of occupational pension schemes in the following categories:
- Micro DC (excluding hybrids)
- Non-micro DC (excluding hybrids)
- Micro DB (excluding hybrids)
- Non-micro DB (excluding hybrids)
- Micro Hybrid (DC + DB)
- Non-micro Hybrid (DC + DB)
The data originates from The Pensions Regulator (TPR)'s records, based on information provided directly by pension schemes through the mandatory Annual Scheme Return. It is important to note that the data is neither weighted nor imputed to adjust for non-response. The scope includes occupational schemes with more than one member. The following schemes are excluded: schemes with zero or one member (which are not required to register with TPR), schemes that are wound up, unregistrable or untraceable, parent schemes, and public sector schemes. Hybrid schemes include both mixed hybrids and dual section hybrids. Data is based on records held by TPR, on 1st April 2025 for DB and hybrid schemes, and on 1st January 2025 for DC schemes.
All figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.
| Scheme type | Micro | Non-micro | Total |
| DC (excluding hybrid) | 24,680 | 510 | 25,190 |
| DB (excluding hybrid) | 300 | 4,010 | 4,310 |
| Hybrid | 20 | 750 | 770 |