Pensions Regulator
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will expand the remit of the Pensions Regulator to include employees whose employers have not made statutory contributions to pensions.
Answered by Torsten Bell
Under the Pensions Act 2008, every employer in the UK must automatically enrol eligible workers into a qualifying workplace pension scheme and pay the correct contributions. The Pensions Regulator (TPR) is responsible for maximising employer compliance with the automatic enrolment obligations. Where an employer fails to meet their duties, for example if the employer has not made statutory pension contributions, TPR can investigate, issue compliance and penalty notices, and, in serious cases, pursue criminal prosecution.
If an employee has concerns regarding their workplace pension, such as unpaid contributions, they should raise this with their employer in the first instance. An individual can report their employer to TPR if it is not complying with the law and/or make a complaint to The Pensions Ombudsman (TPO) who can investigate the complaint and provide a remedy if the employer is found to be at fault. TPO, in collaboration with MoneyHelper and TPR, has published a factsheet for customers about this: Workplace pensions – unpaid pension contributions | The Pensions Ombudsman
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