2021 No. 214

Pensions

The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (General Levy) (Amendment) Regulations 2021

Made1st March 2021

Laid before Parliament4th March 2021

Coming into force1st April 2021

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 175(1) to (3) and 182(2) of the Pension Schemes Act 19931.

The Secretary of State has consulted such persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate in accordance with section 185(1) of that Act2.

Citation, commencement, extent and application1.

(1)

These Regulations may be cited as the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (General Levy) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 and come into force on 1st April 2021.

(2)

These Regulations extend to England and Wales and Scotland.

(3)

These Regulations apply to England, Wales and Scotland.

Amendment of the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (General Levy) Regulations 20052.

(1)

The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (General Levy) Regulations 20053 are amended as follows.

(2)

In regulation 6 (amount of the general levy: occupational pension schemes)—

(a)

in paragraph (1), for “in column (1) of the table in paragraph (2)” substitute “for that financial year for that scheme in column (1) of the appropriate table in Part 1 of the Schedule”;

(b)

omit paragraph (2).

(3)

In regulation 7 (amount of the general levy: personal pension schemes)—

(a)

in paragraph (1), for “in column (1) of the table in paragraph (2)” substitute “for that financial year in column (1) of the appropriate table in Part 2 of the Schedule”;

(b)

omit paragraph (2).

(4)

At the end insert—

“SCHEDULEAMOUNT OF THE GENERAL LEVY
Regulations 6(1) and 7(1)
PART 1OCCUPATIONAL PENSION SCHEMES
1.
(1)
In this Part—
“defined benefits scheme”, “hybrid scheme” and “money purchase scheme” have the meanings given in section 99 of the Pensions Act 20084;
“Master Trust scheme” has the meaning given in section 1 of the Pension Schemes Act 20175.
(2)
Where an occupational pension scheme—
(a)
is both a Master Trust scheme and a money purchase scheme; or
(b)
is both a Master Trust scheme and a hybrid scheme,
the scheme shall be treated for the purposes of this Part as a Master Trust scheme.
2.
This table relates to defined benefits schemes and hybrid schemes for the financial year beginning with 1st April 2021—
Number of members on the reference day
Amount of levy calculated by reference to the number of members (M)
Minimum amount of levy
2 to 11
£32
12 to 99
£3.17 multiplied by M
Not applicable
100 to 999
£2.29 multiplied by M
£310
1,000 to 4,999
£1.78 multiplied by M
£2,290
5,000 to 9,999
£1.35 multiplied by M
£8,900
10,000 to 499,999
£0.95 multiplied by M
£13,500
500,000 or more
£0.72 multiplied by M
£475,000.
3.
This table relates to defined benefits schemes and hybrid schemes for the financial year beginning with 1st April 2022—
Number of members on the reference day
Amount of levy calculated by reference to the number of members (M)
Minimum amount of levy
2 to 11
£54
12 to 99
£5.33 multiplied by M
Not applicable
100 to 999
£3.85 multiplied by M
£530
1,000 to 4,999
£3.00 multiplied by M
£3,850
5,000 to 9,999
£2.28 multiplied by M
£15,000
10,000 to 499,999
£1.59 multiplied by M
£22,800.
500,000 or more
£1.20 multiplied by M
£795,000.
4.
This table relates to defined benefits schemes and hybrid schemes for the financial year beginning with 1st April 2023—
Number of members on the reference day
Amount of levy calculated by reference to the number of members (M)
Minimum amount of levy
2 to 11
£64
12 to 99
£6.34 multiplied by M
Not applicable
100 to 999
£4.58 multiplied by M
£630
1,000 to 4,999
£3.56 multiplied by M
£4,580
5,000 to 9,999
£2.71 multiplied by M
£17,800
10,000 to 499,999
£1.89 multiplied by M
£27,100
500,000 or more
£1.43 multiplied by M
£945,000.
5.
This table relates to money purchase schemes for the financial year beginning with 1stApril 2021—
Number of members on the reference day
Amount of levy calculated by reference to the number of members (M)
Minimum amount of levy
2 to 11
£32
12 to 99
£3.17 multiplied by M
Not applicable
100 to 999
£2.29 multiplied by M
£310
1,000 to 4,999
£1.78 multiplied by M
£2,290
5,000 to 9,999
£1.35 multiplied by M
£8,900
10,000 to 499,999
£0.95 multiplied by M
£13,500
500,000 or more
£0.72 multiplied by M
£475,000.
6.
This table relates to money purchase schemes for the financial year beginning with 1stApril 2022—
Number of members on the reference day
Amount of levy calculated by reference to the number of members (M)
Minimum amount of levy
2 to 11
£38
12 to 99
£3.74 multiplied by M
Not applicable
100 to 999
£2.70 multiplied by M
£370
1,000 to 4,999
£2.11 multiplied by M
£2,700
5,000 to 9,999
£1.60 multiplied by M
£10,550
10,000 to 499,999
£1.12 multiplied by M
£16,000
500,000 or more
£0.85 multiplied by M
£560,000.
7.
This table relates to money purchase schemes for the financial year beginning with 1st April 2023—
Number of members on the reference day
Amount of levy calculated by reference to the number of members (M)
Minimum amount of levy
2 to 11
£44
12 to 99
£4.32 multiplied by M
Not applicable
100 to 999
£3.12 multiplied by M
£430
1,000 to 4,999
£2.43 multiplied by M
£3,120
5,000 to 9,999
£1.85 multiplied by M
£12,150
10,000 to 499,999
£1.29 multiplied by M
£18,500
500,000 or more
£0.98 multiplied by M
£645,000.
8.
This table relates to Master Trust schemes for the financial year beginning with 1st April 2021—
Number of members on the reference day
Amount of levy calculated by reference to the number of members (M)
Minimum amount of levy
2 to 11
£31
12 to 99
£3.02 multiplied by M
Not applicable
100 to 999
£2.18 multiplied by M
£300
1,000 to 4,999
£1.70 multiplied by M
£2,180
5,000 to 9,999
£1.29 multiplied by M
£8,500
10,000 to 499,999
£0.90 multiplied by M
£12,900
500,000 or more
£0.68 multiplied by M
£450,000.
9.
This table relates to Master Trust schemes for the financial year beginning with 1st April 2022—
Number of members on the reference day
Amount of levy calculated by reference to the number of members (M)
Minimum amount of levy
2 to 11
£32
12 to 99
£3.08 multiplied by M
Not applicable
100 to 999
£2.23 multiplied by M
£300
1,000 to 4,999
£1.73 multiplied by M
£2,230
5,000 to 9,999
£1.32 multiplied by M
£8,650
10,000 to 499,999
£0.92 multiplied by M
£13,200
500,000 or more
£0.70 multiplied by M
£460,000.
10.
This table relates to Master Trust schemes for the financial year beginning with 1st April 2023—
Number of members on the reference day
Amount of levy calculated by reference to the number of members (M)
Minimum amount of levy
2 to 11
£32
12 to 99
£3.14 multiplied by M
Not applicable
100 to 999
£2.27 multiplied by M
£310
1,000 to 4,999
£1.77 multiplied by M
£2,270
5,000 to 9,999
£1.34 multiplied by M
£8,850
10,000 to 499,999
£0.94 multiplied by M
£13,400
500,000 or more
£0.71 multiplied by M
£470,000.
PART 2PERSONAL PENSION SCHEMES
11.
This table relates to the financial year beginning with 1st April 2021—
Number of members on the reference day
Amount of levy calculated by reference to number of members (M)
Minimum amount of levy
2 to 11
£13
12 to 99
£1.21 multiplied by M
Not applicable
100 to 999
£0.85 multiplied by M
£120
1,000 to 4,999
£0.72 multiplied by M
£850
5,000 to 9,999
£0.48 multiplied by M
£3,600
10,000 to 499,999
£0.37 multiplied by M
£4,800
500,000 or more
£0.27 multiplied by M
£185,000.
12.
This table relates to the financial year beginning with 1st April 2022—
Number of members on the reference day
Amount of levy calculated by reference to the number of members (M)
Minimum amount of levy
2 to 11
£13
12 to 99
£1.23 multiplied by M
Not applicable
100 to 999
£0.87 multiplied by M
£120
1,000 to 4,999
£0.74 multiplied by M
£870
5,000 to 9,999
£0.49 multiplied by M
£3,700
10,000 to 499,999
£0.37 multiplied by M
£4,900
500,000 or more
£0.28 multiplied by M
£185,000.
13.
This table relates to the financial year beginning with 1st April 2023—
Number of members on the reference day
Amount of levy calculated by reference to the number of members (M)
Minimum amount of levy
2 to 11
£14
12 to 99
£1.25 multiplied by M
Not applicable
100 to 999
£0.88 multiplied by M
£120
1,000 to 4,999
£0.75 multiplied by M
£880
5,000 to 9,999
£0.50 multiplied by M
£3,750
10,000 to 499,999
£0.38 multiplied by M
£5,000
500,000 or more
£0.28 multiplied by M
£190,000.”.

Number of members on the reference day	Amount of levy calculated by reference to the number of members (M)	Minimum amount of levy
2 to 11		£32
12 to 99	£3.17 multiplied by M	Not applicable
100 to 999	£2.29 multiplied by M	£310
1,000 to 4,999	£1.78 multiplied by M	£2,290
5,000 to 9,999	£1.35 multiplied by M	£8,900
10,000 to 499,999	£0.95 multiplied by M	£13,500
500,000 or more	£0.72 multiplied by M	£475,000.

Number of members on the reference day	Amount of levy calculated by reference to the number of members (M)	Minimum amount of levy
2 to 11		£54
12 to 99	£5.33 multiplied by M	Not applicable
100 to 999	£3.85 multiplied by M	£530
1,000 to 4,999	£3.00 multiplied by M	£3,850
5,000 to 9,999	£2.28 multiplied by M	£15,000
10,000 to 499,999	£1.59 multiplied by M	£22,800.
500,000 or more	£1.20 multiplied by M	£795,000.

Number of members on the reference day	Amount of levy calculated by reference to the number of members (M)	Minimum amount of levy
2 to 11		£64
12 to 99	£6.34 multiplied by M	Not applicable
100 to 999	£4.58 multiplied by M	£630
1,000 to 4,999	£3.56 multiplied by M	£4,580
5,000 to 9,999	£2.71 multiplied by M	£17,800
10,000 to 499,999	£1.89 multiplied by M	£27,100
500,000 or more	£1.43 multiplied by M	£945,000.

Number of members on the reference day	Amount of levy calculated by reference to the number of members (M)	Minimum amount of levy
2 to 11		£32
12 to 99	£3.17 multiplied by M	Not applicable
100 to 999	£2.29 multiplied by M	£310
1,000 to 4,999	£1.78 multiplied by M	£2,290
5,000 to 9,999	£1.35 multiplied by M	£8,900
10,000 to 499,999	£0.95 multiplied by M	£13,500
500,000 or more	£0.72 multiplied by M	£475,000.

Number of members on the reference day	Amount of levy calculated by reference to the number of members (M)	Minimum amount of levy
2 to 11		£38
12 to 99	£3.74 multiplied by M	Not applicable
100 to 999	£2.70 multiplied by M	£370
1,000 to 4,999	£2.11 multiplied by M	£2,700
5,000 to 9,999	£1.60 multiplied by M	£10,550
10,000 to 499,999	£1.12 multiplied by M	£16,000
500,000 or more	£0.85 multiplied by M	£560,000.

Number of members on the reference day	Amount of levy calculated by reference to the number of members (M)	Minimum amount of levy
2 to 11		£44
12 to 99	£4.32 multiplied by M	Not applicable
100 to 999	£3.12 multiplied by M	£430
1,000 to 4,999	£2.43 multiplied by M	£3,120
5,000 to 9,999	£1.85 multiplied by M	£12,150
10,000 to 499,999	£1.29 multiplied by M	£18,500
500,000 or more	£0.98 multiplied by M	£645,000.

Number of members on the reference day	Amount of levy calculated by reference to the number of members (M)	Minimum amount of levy
2 to 11		£31
12 to 99	£3.02 multiplied by M	Not applicable
100 to 999	£2.18 multiplied by M	£300
1,000 to 4,999	£1.70 multiplied by M	£2,180
5,000 to 9,999	£1.29 multiplied by M	£8,500
10,000 to 499,999	£0.90 multiplied by M	£12,900
500,000 or more	£0.68 multiplied by M	£450,000.

Number of members on the reference day	Amount of levy calculated by reference to the number of members (M)	Minimum amount of levy
2 to 11		£32
12 to 99	£3.08 multiplied by M	Not applicable
100 to 999	£2.23 multiplied by M	£300
1,000 to 4,999	£1.73 multiplied by M	£2,230
5,000 to 9,999	£1.32 multiplied by M	£8,650
10,000 to 499,999	£0.92 multiplied by M	£13,200
500,000 or more	£0.70 multiplied by M	£460,000.

Number of members on the reference day	Amount of levy calculated by reference to the number of members (M)	Minimum amount of levy
2 to 11		£32
12 to 99	£3.14 multiplied by M	Not applicable
100 to 999	£2.27 multiplied by M	£310
1,000 to 4,999	£1.77 multiplied by M	£2,270
5,000 to 9,999	£1.34 multiplied by M	£8,850
10,000 to 499,999	£0.94 multiplied by M	£13,400
500,000 or more	£0.71 multiplied by M	£470,000.

Number of members on the reference day	Amount of levy calculated by reference to number of members (M)	Minimum amount of levy
2 to 11		£13
12 to 99	£1.21 multiplied by M	Not applicable
100 to 999	£0.85 multiplied by M	£120
1,000 to 4,999	£0.72 multiplied by M	£850
5,000 to 9,999	£0.48 multiplied by M	£3,600
10,000 to 499,999	£0.37 multiplied by M	£4,800
500,000 or more	£0.27 multiplied by M	£185,000.

Number of members on the reference day	Amount of levy calculated by reference to the number of members (M)	Minimum amount of levy
2 to 11		£13
12 to 99	£1.23 multiplied by M	Not applicable
100 to 999	£0.87 multiplied by M	£120
1,000 to 4,999	£0.74 multiplied by M	£870
5,000 to 9,999	£0.49 multiplied by M	£3,700
10,000 to 499,999	£0.37 multiplied by M	£4,900
500,000 or more	£0.28 multiplied by M	£185,000.

Number of members on the reference day	Amount of levy calculated by reference to the number of members (M)	Minimum amount of levy
2 to 11		£14
12 to 99	£1.25 multiplied by M	Not applicable
100 to 999	£0.88 multiplied by M	£120
1,000 to 4,999	£0.75 multiplied by M	£880
5,000 to 9,999	£0.50 multiplied by M	£3,750
10,000 to 499,999	£0.38 multiplied by M	£5,000
500,000 or more	£0.28 multiplied by M	£190,000.”.

Revocation3.

The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (General Levy) (Amendment) Regulations 20176 are revoked.

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Guy Opperman

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

Department for Work and Pensions

1st March 2021

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

Regulation 2 of these Regulations amends the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (General Levy) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/626). It amends regulations 6 and 7 and inserts a new Schedule to specify the new figures that are to be used in calculating the rate at which the general levy for occupational pension schemes and that for personal pension schemes is payable. The new rates apply for the financial years beginning with 1st April 2021, 1st April 2022 and 1st April 2023.

The general levy on occupational and personal pension schemes recovers from schemes the funding provided by the Department for Work and Pensions in respect of the core activities of the Pensions Regulator, the activities of the Pensions Ombudsman and the pensions-related activities of the Money and Pensions Service7.

The effect of the changes is to increase the general levy rates for both occupational and personal pension schemes for those financial years and to introduce separate rates for defined benefit and hybrid, money purchase and Master Trust occupational pension schemes.

Regulation 3 of these Regulations revokes the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (General Levy) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/203) which imposed the previous increase.

An impact assessment has not been published for these Regulations as they amend an existing statutory levy regime and the associated administrative costs are negligible.