Winding up a defined contribution scheme

1. Overview
2. Decide whether the scheme should be wound up (stage 1)
3. Prepare for and enter formal wind up of the scheme (stage 2)
4. Securing members’ benefits (stage 3)
5. Completing the wind up process (stage 4)

Overview

Who this guidance is for

This guidance is for trustees of defined contribution (DC) occupational pension schemes. It sets out the key steps you will need to take to wind up your scheme.

Who this guidance is not for

This guidance does not apply to defined benefit (DB) pension schemes or hybrid schemes (which provide both DC and DB benefits, eg GMPs). If you are a trustee of a DB or hybrid scheme, read our guidance on winding up.

This guidance also does not apply to work-based personal pensions or cash balance arrangements.

If you want to wind up a master trust pension scheme, you will need to comply with the requirements of the authorisation regime and so will need to read our guidance on triggering events.

Published: March 2019
Updated: September 2021

This guide is illustrative and you should consider carefully how it applies in relation to your own particular scheme. It does not replace the need for professional advice about individual schemes – however, you may wish to read through this guidance first, in order to identify the areas where you can carry out the steps yourself, and work out where you may need additional help from a professional adviser. Read more about advisers and service providers.

See all updates to this guidance

23 September 2021
Information added to stage 1 of the guidance about the new legal requirement for smaller DC schemes to carry out a more detailed value for members assessment.

Winding up at a glance

Wind up of a pension scheme can be divided into four stages. These are shown in the diagram below, along with some of the key considerations and activities for each stage. The remainder of this guidance will take you through each stage, with more detailed information about the actions that you may wish to consider taking at each stage of the process.

Schemes will normally move through the stages in this order, although there may be times when it is necessary or more practical to undertake activities in a different order. This is not normally a problem – but the activities in stages 1 to 3 all need to be completed before you can move to stage 4.

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2. Decide whether the scheme should be wound up (stage 1)

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