Call for evidence outcome

Options for Defined Benefit schemes: a call for evidence

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Government response to Options for Defined Benefit schemes

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Detail of outcome

The government published its response to this consultation on 22 November 2023.


Original call for evidence

Summary

A call for evidence to support the development of innovative policy options to increase protection for DB members while supporting wider economic initiatives.

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Call for evidence description

As part of the government’s policy to promote economic growth, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) wants to build an evidence base around how defined benefit (DB) pension schemes could increase the amount invested in productive asset classes. It wants to do this while maintaining appropriate security of the benefits promised, not undermining the fiduciary duties of trustees and maintaining the stability of the gilt market.

This includes exploring the prospect of more investment that provides equity capital and finance for businesses in the UK. This includes start-ups, infrastructure and private equity, as well as longer-term investments, typically in illiquid assets. This has been generically termed investing in ‘productive finance’.

We would like to hear from the pensions industry, especially DB schemes and their sponsoring employers, and other stakeholders who can offer an informed perspective on how DB schemes engage with ‘productive finance’ in practice and how that could change.

We have also published an analysis of the impact of July 2023 pension package on member outcomes.

Documents

Options for Defined Benefit schemes: a call for evidence

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email accessible.formats@dwp.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.
Published 11 July 2023
Last updated 22 November 2023 + show all updates
  1. Published government response to the call for evidence.

  2. Added accessible HTML version of Options for Defined Benefit schemes: a call for evidence.

  3. First published.