The Pensions Regulator’s powers Criminal and Civil Sanctions
To support its enforcement role, the Regulator can impose criminal offences and financial penalties on sponsoring employers and other related entities who engage in wrongdoing in relation to their defined benefit pension scheme. Existing offences target a limited list of breaches only, and current penalty amounts are not an effective deterrent to more serious breaches.
	The measures in the Act will strengthen the existing sanctions regime by introducing three new criminal offences, and a new power to issue civil penalties of up to £1 million.
	The new offences and penalty will create a stronger and more comprehensive sanctions regime. They will provide additional deterrents for unscrupulous behaviours and, will enable the Regulator to punish abuse and wrongdoing within the occupational pensions industry appropriately.