Overview & Structure Part 1 – Categories of pension scheme
26.This Part contains provisions for a new framework in relation to the categorisation of pension schemes. It establishes three mutually exclusive definitions for scheme type based on the type of promise provided in the accumulation phase of pension saving about the retirement benefits that a scheme offers to members at decumulation. The schemes are defined in terms of a ‘pensions promise’. A scheme can be categorised as a defined benefits scheme, shared risk scheme or a defined contributions scheme, depending on the type of the promise. A scheme can also be treated as more than one scheme for the purposes of categorisation, in relation to different promises to members.