August 2026

UK. TPR to accept multi-employer CDC scheme applications

The new framework gives employers and members an alternative to traditional defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) pension arrangements, building on the single-employer system introduced in 2021. CDC schemes offer a target retirement income for life rather than relying on individual pension pots, with benefits adjusted depending on investment performance and funding position. TPR urged organisations that are considering launching a CDC scheme to engage early with its supervision teams and Innovation Support Service. It has also published new...

July 2026

UK. Industry welcomes introduction of multi-employer CDC; focus turns to implementation

The pensions industry has welcomed the introduction of regulations for multi-employer collective defined contribution (CDC) arrangements, with the focus now shifting towards implementation. Regulations to enable unconnected multi-employer CDC schemes came into force today (31 July), as set out in the government’s workplace pensions updated roadmap. The government laid the regulations for multi-employer CDC arrangements in October 2025, aiming to allow the expansion of CDC schemes to more employers. “Today’s announcement is a landmark moment for UK pensions and a major step towards making...

May 2026

CDC pensions approaching ‘pivotal moment’ in the UK

Collective defined contribution (CDC) pensions are approaching a “pivotal moment” in the UK, according to Aon, as the consultancy predicted they could “revolutionise pensions” for both employers and savers. In its new report, CDC Pensions: Everything You Need to Know in 2026, Aon noted that multi-employer CDC arrangements are expected to begin operating from 2027, following the finalisation of regulations for whole-life unconnected multi-employer CDC schemes. Last week, the Pensions Regulator’s (TPR) updated code of practice for CDC schemes was laid before parliament, bringing multi‑employer...

April 2026

UK. CDC code of practice laid before parliament as TPR clarifies comms role of trustees

The Pensions Regulator (TPR) may act against trustees if they fail to identify “unclear or misleading” communications in relation to collective defined contribution (CDC) pension schemes. TPR’s code of practice for CDC schemes was laid before parliament this week (29 April), ahead of coming into force around October this year. The regulator also published its response to the CDC code consultation, which closed earlier this year, and stated that it would hold trustees accountable for poor communications. This was an area...

March 2026

UK. CDC not expected to become ‘mainstream offering’ within the next three years

Two-thirds (67 per cent) of pension professionals do not believe that collective defined contribution (CDC) will be a mainstream workplace pension offering within the next three years, according to a survey of delegates at TPT’s recent Pensions Pathways conference. Meanwhile, a third (33 per cent) of survey respondents believed CDC schemes would be a mainstream workplace pension offering within three years. Speaking at the event, Vidett head of trusteeship, Alison Hatcher, urged the delegates to be “open minded right now”. “There are...

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%...