Polygamy
This briefing paper deals with when polygamous marriages might be legally recognised in England and Wales; immigration issues; social security benefits and pension entitlement.

This Commons Library Briefing paper looks at the debate on the pensions dashboard, which is being developed to enable people to view all their lifetime pension savings (including their state pension) in one place
Pensions dashboards (856 KB , PDF)
A pensions dashboard is a digital interface that enables people to see all their lifetime pension savings in one place. Dashboards seek to provide better access to pensions information so that individuals can make better decisions about their retirement plans.
Background to pensions dashboards
Recent labour market and pension reforms have made the need to improve access to information more pressing. Pensions have become more complex and individuals have taken on greater responsibilities for saving and investing for their retirement years.
In 2016 the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said a dashboard was needed. It said the data for this should ideally be retrieved directly from providers, be updated in real time and contain projections of pension income based on different scenarios. A Pensions Dashboard Prototype Project later showed that it would be possible to build such a dashboard in the UK.
In Budget 2016 the Government said it would ensure that industry designed, funded and launched a pensions dashboard by 2019. This deadline was not met.
Developing pensions dashboards
DWP published the findings of a feasibility study on 3 December 2018 and launched a consultation. In April 2019, the Government’s response to this confirmed that:
MaPS Pensions Dashboards Programme
The MaPS Industry Delivery Group (now called the Pensions Dashboards Programme) began operating in autumn 2019. Its October 2020 progress update report, included an indicative timetable for implementation. It is planned that, pension schemes and providers would begin to be compelled to connect to the service from 2023.
Funding for pensions dashboards
In the Autumn Budget 2018, the Government committed funding for 2019/20 to “help fulfil its role in facilitating industry to make dashboards a reality.” This funding had continued. The Government’s consultation response said that dashboards “should be free at the point of use for consumers.” The Government also concluded that the digital architecture and governance for dashboards as well as a non-commercial dashboard will be funded by the Financial Services Levy and General Levy on pension schemes in addition to some central government funding.
The Pensions Dashboards Impact Assessment includes cost estimates for three scenarios with different data requirements and coverage to highlight the potential range of impacts on the pensions industry. Under these scenarios, estimated one-off implementation costs range from £200m to £580m over 10 years and ongoing costs range from £245m to £1.48bn over 10 years.
Legislating for dashboards: Pensions Schemes Bill 2019-21
On 7 January 2020, the Government introduced the Pensions Scheme [HL] Bill 2019-21. Part 4 of the Bill contains provisions, which provide a framework to support pension dashboards. Clauses 118 and 119 would amend the Pensions Act 2004 by inserting new sections in Part 4 (financial planning for retirement) of that Act. The Government amended the Bill at Report Stage in the Lords to insert a requirement for MaPS to provide a pensions dashboard service (HL Deb 30 June 2020 c673). In addition, two Opposition amendments were agreed to that would:
Both were overturned on division at Commons Committee stage (PBC Deb 3 November 2020 c56 and 73-4). They were debated again at Report Stage on 16 November (c101[Neil Gray], c106 {Jonathan Reynolds] and c111 [Guy Opperman]). A date for the Lords to consider the Commons’ amendments has not yet been announced. Information about the progress of the Bill is on the Parliament website.
Pensions dashboards (856 KB , PDF)
This briefing paper deals with when polygamous marriages might be legally recognised in England and Wales; immigration issues; social security benefits and pension entitlement.
A Westminster Hall debate on Saving for later life is scheduled for Tuesday 7 February 2023. The Member leading the debate is Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP.
Between 1978 and 1997, contracted-out defined benefit pension schemes were required to provide a Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP). This briefing looks at the arrangements for increasing GMP rights for people reaching State Pension age before and after 6 April 2016 and for members of public service pension schemes.