We mustn’t get fatigued about getting pensions policy implementation right, says Pensions Minister
Author: Thomas Parker | Published: March 11, 2026
We mustn’t get fatigued about getting the implementation of pensions policy right; that is the view of pensions minister Torsten Bell.
Coming towards the end of his session at the Pensions UK’s Investment Conference in Edinburgh, the minister also confirmed the Pension Schemes Bill will be moving to royal assent in the next few weeks.
This, he added, marked a move into a “more of an implementation rather than a big picture, policy making phase” for the pensions industry.
It’s news that he acknowledged may come as a bit of “good news” for those in the sector.
Addressing the speed of change more generally, he said: “Let’s look big picture, have we been fast as an industry?…no. It’s been a consensus view that we’ve needed to move to a greater level of pooling for at least a decade, probably earlier.
“I think our self assessment should not include the word fast. Has there been a lot of activity in the last few years? Yes…
“…I think you should want a government that – once there is a clear direction we’re heading in – makes sure that we’re all clear about where we’re going – we get on with it…”
“…but I know in this case, when you’re talking about institutional change, if you don’t provide that clarity, you’ll get bogged down in institutional interests and the rest, but I’m not in the business of doing that. Life’s too short.”
