February 2026

U.K. How CDC schemes can be a win for every generation

As collective defined contribution (CDC) enthusiasts and people who are committed to finding a way for pensioners to enjoy a substantial annual income in retirement without making complex investment decisions, we are delighted that the pensions industry seems unified on the CDC performance debate. Whether CDC schemes outperform standard DC by 20% or 60% is a matter of assumptions and perspective, but it's generally agreed that: "through pooling of longevity risk, and adopting a higher return-seeking investment strategy, CDC can...

UK pensions regulator urged to fine-tune multi-employer CDC rules

The Pensions Regulator’s (TPR) revised code of practice for collective defined contribution (CDC) pension funds has been broadly welcomed, but industry players are calling for fine-tuning to reduce remaining uncertainty. Launched in December, the consultation set out how TPR plans to authorise and supervise multi-employer CDC schemes, expanding on its existing single-employer framework. The revised code reflects government regulations published in October, expected to take effect at the end of July 2026, alongside TPR’s finalised guidance. The proposals aim to open...

December 2025

UK. Industry stresses need to communicate ‘the whole truth’ on retirement CDC

Industry bodies have warned that benefit illustrations for retirement collective defined contribution (CDC) plans must be accurate and not misleading, as concerns grow about the final details of the regime. The government recently launched a consultation retirement CDC, which would allow people who have saved into a defined contribution (DC) scheme to transfer their pension pot into a CDC scheme at retirement. Industry experts have warned that the framework must dovetail with the forthcoming guided retirement duty and avoid creating default pathways before retirement CDC...

November 2025

UK Pensions briefing | Government gives the green light to major collective DC expansion

The Government has published a response to its October 2024 consultation on the extension of the collective defined contribution (CDC) scheme regime to unconnected employers. It has also published and laid before Parliament final draft regulations which are due to come into force on July 31, 2026. In addition, it has published a consultation paper on “Retirement CDC” schemes offering a default income solution for members at retirement. The consultation closes on December 4, 2025. What are CDC schemes? In a CDC scheme, employers’ and members’...

October 2025

UK. Retirement incomes could increase by as much as 60% as Government green-lights ‘collective’ pension schemes

Unlike Defined Contribution (DC) schemes, CDCs pool pension schemes into a collective fund giving workers regular pension payments for life, more security and higher average retirement incomes throughout retirement when compared to individual pension pots. The new regulations will allow the expansion of CDCs to more employers and will address a growing demand among workers to receive a more secure retirement income. Research shows almost three-quarters of people with DC schemes want a guaranteed income from their pension despite 50%...

September 2025

UK. Industry urges policy shift to revive DB and accelerate CDC

The Society of Pension Professionals (SPP) has called for a policy reboot to keep existing defined benefit (DB) schemes open and to fast-track collective defined contribution (CDC) schemes, as the relaunched Pensions Commission turns its attention to pensions adequacy. In a new paper, Past Lessons, Future Gains, SPP argued that the current adequacy crisis cannot be fixed by contribution reviews alone and urged the commission to examine the type of scheme people save into, warning that the long shift from...

August 2025

UK. CDC could signal new era for pensions adequacy

ZEDRA has stated that, with the right approach from trustees, Collective Defined Contribution (CDC) pension schemes hold the potential to address long standing challenges around adequacy and sustainability in retirement provision, significantly improving member outcomes. Kim Nash, Managing Director of ZEDRA Governance said: “CDC is an exciting prospect, not just because of the potential for higher more stable member outcomes, but also because it shifts complex decision making to trustees, making retirement planning simpler for members. It challenges us to...

May 2025

UK. TPT preparing to launch first multi-employer CDC scheme

TPT Retirement Solutions is preparing the UK’s first multi-employer collective defined contribution (CDC) pension scheme, it announced today. It follows confirmation from pensions minister Torsten Bell that legislation to enable CDC schemes to operate will be laid before parliament later this year. Bell welcomed TPT’s announcement today, adding that CDC schemes were “set to be an important, innovative addition to the UK pensions’ landscape with the potential to improve the pension outcomes for millions of savers”. TPT first announced its interest in the CDC...

November 2024

UK. Industry calls for more flexibility around CDC regulation

There has been strong support for government proposals to introduce multi-employer CDCs, as the consultation on Occupational Pension Scheme regulations for these new arrangements comes to a close. However in their responses a number of consultancy firms said they want more information on how such schemes might work in practice.  Hymans Robertson partner Kathryn Fleming says: “This consultation is a welcome stepping stone towards CDC that offers great value for money.  We are hugely supportive of CDC at scale to deliver...

US. CalPERS affirms commitment to ESG amid changes coming to Washington

CalPERS CEO Marcie Frost affirmed the $522.4 billion pension fund’s commitment to environmental, social and governance investing in the face of expected federal policy changes stemming from the recent election. Election results make clear that change is coming, Frost told the board of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, Sacramento, at its Nov. 20 meeting. “We expect the year ahead will include new voices and viewpoints on several issues, including climate- focused investing, corporate governance and healthcare policy,” Frost said. “We welcome those...