Published in December 1998, the government's consultation document Partnership in
Pensions contained proposals for stakeholder pensions to be introduced in April 2001.1
Targeted at full-time workers earning between ù,000 and ñ8,500 a year who do not
already have a private pension, stakeholder pensions are intended to increase the level of
private pension provision among this group. The perceived problem is that not all
employees have access to occupational pension schemes, while personal pensions may
not be good value for money because of their high upfront charges. Stakeholder
pensions will offer a Ѭow cost, flexible and secure' alternative.2 Like all personal
pensions, and some occupational pension schemes, stakeholder pensions will be defined
contribution schemes. But they will have compulsory minimum standards, guaranteed
employer access and a different governance structure. Since June 1999, six discussion
papers have been published with further details on different aspects of stakeholder
pensions. These cover:
- minimum standards;
- employer access;
- clearing arrangements;
- regulation, advice and information;
- governance;
- the tax regime.
This note assesses each of these discussion papers in turn, summarising their main conclusions and critically appraising the proposed stakeholder reforms.