Pensions Act 2004

5 Regulator’s objectives E+W+S

(1) The main objectives of the Regulator in exercising its functions are—

(a) to protect the benefits under occupational pension schemes of, or in respect of, members of such schemes,

(b) to protect the benefits under personal pension schemes of, or in respect of, members of such schemes within subsection (2),

(c) to reduce the risk of situations arising which may lead to compensation being payable from the Pension Protection Fund (see Part 2),

[F1 (cza) in relation to the exercise of its functions under Part 3 only, to minimise any adverse impact on the sustainable growth of an employer,]

[F2 (ca) to maximise compliance with the duties under Chapter 1 of Part 1 (and the safeguards in sections 50 and 54) of the Pensions Act 2008,] and

(d) to promote, and to improve understanding of, the good administration of work-based pension schemes.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b) the members of personal pension schemes within this subsection are—

(a) the members who are employees in respect of whom direct payment arrangements exist, and

(b) where the scheme is a stakeholder pension scheme, any other members.

(3) In this section—

• “stakeholder pension scheme” means a personal pension scheme which is or has been registered under section 2 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (c. 30) (register of stakeholder schemes);

• “work-based pension scheme” means—

  (a)

  an occupational pension scheme,

  (b)

  a personal pension scheme where direct payment arrangements exist in respect of one or more members of the scheme who are employees, or

  (c)

  a stakeholder pension scheme.

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 5(1)(cza) inserted (14.7.2014) by Pensions Act 2014 (c. 19), ss. 48, 56(3)(d)

F2 S. 5(1)(ca) inserted (16.3.2011) by Pensions Act 2008 (c. 30), ss. 65, 149(1); S.I. 2011/664, art. 2(1)

Commencement Information

I1 S. 5(1)(2) in force at 6.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/275, art. 2(7), Sch. Pt. 7

I2 S. 5(3) in force at 17.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/3350, art. 2, Sch.