Automatic enrolment: alternative quality requirements for workplace schemes (DB, Hybrid and CDC)

This document contains the findings of the 2026 review of the alternative quality requirements for pension schemes being used for automatic enrolment. Part of the review process included a call for evidence which ran from 16 June 2026 to 27 July 2026, to ascertain whether the alternative quality requirements for defined benefit, hybrid and collective defined contribution pension schemes remain fit for purpose.

The review also contains analytical modelling to determine whether the alternative quality requirements for defined contribution schemes continue to be satisfied under the tests set out in section 28(2A) of the Pensions Act 2008.

Following consideration of the evidence gathered and the analysis set out, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions concludes that the alternative quality requirements remain fit for purpose and does not recommend any changes to the alternative quality requirements at this time.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is required to carry out a statutory review of the operation of regulations made under section 23A(1) of the Pensions Act 2008.

Regulations made under section 23A(1) set out the alternative quality requirements for defined benefit pension schemes that are used for automatic enrolment. The requirements allow for simpler alternative tests to be used so that a scheme can demonstrate that it is of sufficient quality to be used by employers to fulfil their automatic enrolment duties. This call for evidence aims to ascertain whether the government’s policy objectives are being met, how the simplifications and flexibilities operate in practice, and whether any new issues have arisen since the last review in 2023.

DWP is also required to carry out a statutory review of the alternative quality requirements for defined contribution (DC) and collective defined contribution (CDC) schemes made under section 28(2)(b) of the Pensions Act 2008. To assist this review, this call for evidence also seeks views on the alternative quality requirement available to both single or connected employer and unconnected multiple employer CDC schemes as set out in regulation 32AE of the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Automatic Enrolment) Regulations 2010.