20 providers join forces to help deliver Pensions Dashboard

Organised by Origo, which developed the Pensions Dashboard prototype, the meeting was convened to discuss how the industry might deliver the Dashboard, ‘facilitated by Government’, as outlined by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Esther McVey.

McVey reportedly wanted to "kill off the project" believing the service should not be provided by the state, but later backed the industry to deliver the Dashboard.

During the meeting, there was a common desire for the Government to provide clear direction in terms of compulsion, inclusion of State Pension data, governance and digital identity.

The meeting examined an approach that would “protect pension savers and personal information” and “harness the best of industry innovation” as desired by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Pensions & Financial Inclusion, Guy Opperman, in his recent written statement to Parliament.

Other key points arising from the meeting included a requirement for Government legislation to ensure the whole industry is required to participate, and a suitable governance structure being established quickly.

Anthony Rafferty, managing director of Origo, said: “With Government willing to back the industry to take the Dashboard forward, and while we await the Department for Work and Pensions’ Feasibility Study due out any time now, the industry has come together to discuss the issues at a practical and realistic level.

“Whilst there has been a strong message that government involvement is crucial, it has been a day of interesting presentations, discussion and debate and I am very much encouraged by the level of enthusiasm, commitment and drive amongst the industry members present to get the Dashboard up and running and serving consumers as quickly as possible.

“I will be updating the DWP on the key discussions and will provide Origo’s perspective on the practicalities of delivering the Pensions Dashboard.

"We are absolutely committed to the delivery of the Pensions Dashboard which we believe is an important catalyst for engaging consumers with their pensions.”