Dashboards: ‘All systems go’ as deadlines approach

Chris Curry, principal at the Pensions Dashboard Programme (PDP), which is responsible for delivering the ecosystem, said there was “a lot of momentum” in the project.

Speaking on a Pensions Dashboards Week webinar last week, Curry said the timeline announced earlier this year still applied and that the PDP was busy with connection testing.

“We’ve been making really good progress, I’m delighted to say, and there’s a lot of momentum,” said Curry. “We’re not just working with the industry as a whole, we are working with over 20 volunteer participants who are building a direct route into that infrastructure.

“We have started connection testing with that group. We have not come across anything majorly significant yet. We were able to get the data standards out pre-election and we recently put out updated code of connection and technical standards, we expect only very minor changes before April.”

Also on the panel, Louise Davey – director of regulatory policy, analysis and advice at the Pensions Regular – said the authority was now reminding schemes to be ready for connection.

“Our drive at the moment is to make sure trustees are fully aware the deadline for connection is fast approaching,” said Davey, adding that it should be “all systems go” given the deadline for deferral applications has passed.

“It’s important trustees and scheme managers understand what is needed to meet their dashboard trustees and, crucially, by when,” Davey said.

“We will be writing to the chairs of trustees and scheme managers of all those in scope, and we’ve already contacted over 1,000 schemes.”

The PPI’s current testing work also involves data storage and follows guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre, with the dashboards to adopt a ‘one login’ model.

Looking to commercial dashboards, Curry said the PDP was working closely with the Financial Conduct Authority on regulations and that engagement with the industry would be happening in the coming months. He emphasised that, despite recent progress, they would not rush dashboard development for the sake of it.

“I’m more focused on making sure when dashboards launch, they work,” added Curry. “We’re going as quickly as we can, but it’s more important to make sure we’re ready.”

Further reading

Schemes relying on dashboard rollout face data ‘nightmare’ (25 September 2024)

Data remains ‘fundamental problem’ for dashboards, says Opperman (4 September 2024)