The Pensions Act 2011 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2012

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order brings into force sections 9, 12 and 13 of the Pensions Act 2011 (c. 19) in so far as they are not already in force, on 6th March 2012.

Article 2 commences three provisions of the Pensions Act 2011.

Section 9 inserts section 15A into the Pensions Act 2008 (c. 30) (“the Act”). The Act requires employers to enrol workers, described in the Act as jobholders, into a pension scheme which meets the requirements set out in the Act. Section 15A of the Act provides that where the automatic enrolment earnings trigger and the qualifying earnings band have been reviewed, an order specifying revised amounts for the automatic enrolment earnings trigger and the qualifying earnings band may specify rounded figures.

Section 12 amends section 28 of the Act. Section 28 of the Act allows employers to certify that the pension scheme they use meets the quality requirements imposed by Part 1 of the Act. The amendment to section 28 of the Act allows employers to certify that the pension scheme they use satisfies alternative requirements that are prescribed.

Section 13 makes further amendments to section 28 of the Act so that employers may certify in relation to money purchase schemes and hybrid schemes that have their main administration in an EEA state other than the United Kingdom and personal pension schemes that have their main administration outside the United Kingdom.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this Order as it has no impact on the private sector or civil society organisations.