Pension Schemes Services: Pensions Industry Stakeholder Forum

The new Pensions Industry Stakeholder Forum has been set up to help HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) better manage its relationship with stakeholders and representative bodies. There has always been active engagement between HMRC and its stakeholders but current channels create significant levels of activity that cross over several groups. They can produce duplication of content and discussion of similar issues that need to be better managed. Moreover, some four years have passed since 'A Day' and many of the transitional arrangements to help embed these fundamental changes have ended or are now coming to an end. In particular, the extension of the normal time limit for COP 10 applications has now come to an end and applications now adhere to the general four Finance Act limit.

The forum will focus on operational (rather than policy) issues and, going forward, will be the main route of engagement between HMRC and representative bodies. Sub-groups could be set up if appropriate to take forward particular issues.

The aim of the new group is to:

  • where possible agree a shared interpretation of those provisions in Part 4 Finance Act 2004 pensions tax legislation (and subsequent amendments) where genuine interpretive ambiguity, doubt or complexity exists
  • monitor whether the administration of the pensions tax legislation by HMRC is as effective and efficient as possible and, where problems or failings are identified, to formulate proposals for remedial change having regard to cost and available resource
  • monitor whether pensions industry practice and HMRC administrative practice is conformant with the pensions tax legislation and where problems or failings are identified to formulate proposals for remedial change having regard to cost and available resource
  • provide a safe environment in which bodies representing the pensions industry can voice any concerns they have about possible abuse of the pensions tax legislation
  • monitor whether the pensions tax legislation is achieving its intended policy purposes and if not formulate evidence-based proposals for change

Continuing engagement with representative bodies through attendance at their meetings will remain an important element of the relationship. However, HMRC will typically send only one representative to each meeting and would expect attendance to be agenda led rather than on a routine basis.

The new forum also replaces the (HMRC led) Customer Forum which will come to an end.

Its composition

The new group will comprise of, HMRC’s pensions business senior management, (business head and service delivery, compliance, technical and policy team leaders), key stakeholders and representatives from the pensions industry.

Its administration

HMRC will provide the secretariat to the group. The secretariat will issue notice of meetings one month in advance of meeting dates, manage agendas, produce minutes and co-ordinate circulation of supporting papers. Advance warning of issues/papers to be considered by the group will need to be forwarded to the secretariat at least two weeks in advance of meetings to ensure that the right people are at the meeting. Notices will explain the issue being raised and any solution proposed.

The first meeting took place in September 2010 and the minutes can be found below. Meetings will be held every six months in 100 Parliament Street and will be chaired by HMRC’s pensions business head. The dates of forthcoming meetings are listed on the HMRC website in the schedule of consultative meetings.
Working groups may from time to time be convened to consider and take forward particular issues, reporting progress back to the main group.

Read the minutes of the Pensions Industry Stakeholder Forum

Pensions Industry Stakeholder Forum members list