Kim Gubler demonstrates her approach to diving,

I have now watched the pension dashboard sessions at Westminster yesterday. If you are wanting to focus on what was good start with the clip below (Kim will know I enjoyed her too!)

Do not bother with the second and third sessions which are dull and frustrating. Focus on Richard Smith and pals in the first section where there is much to learn

Recording of the sessions on this link (stick with the first unless you are having difficulty getting to sleep).

Compare and contrast Michael Johnson on Pension Dashboards in 2016

Michael Johnson is keen to remind us of his part in the pension dashboard in 2016. Here he is doing just that and I was struck by the empty seats at the Work and Pensions Select Committee event he spoke at.

Here by contrast is a shot of the events going on yesterday (Weds 4th) in Parliament

https://t.co/fwTtAqPhMK https://t.co/9hO1SSxQow Richard Smith makes our dashboard day!

— Henry Tapper (@henryhtapper) March 6, 2025

There is no doubt that the Pension Dashboard is attaching more interest today than it was in 2016 but it is not making for good news.

I am sorry to hear the story of the failure of the dashboard to get excitement of the pension industry. The numbers quoted in yesterday’s blog  were cited in the first session.

The first of the three sessions was full of frustration but Smith and co were met with a warm reception from the Committee.

Here’s a statement made today by Moneyhub where both Smith and his boss Samantha Seaton were working

Commercial pensions dashboards are necessary for widespread adoption and effectiveness of the Pensions Dashboard initiative and to drive better outcomes for consumers while addressing the pensions savings gap faced by the UK. While the Government-backed Money Helper Dashboard offers a solution for finding and viewing pensions, it is commercial pensions dashboards that will drive broader engagement by providing context sensitive actions as well as being more readily available by integrating with apps that users already trust and use regularly.

Examples were drawn on from European countries who already have advanced pensions dashboards and usage is significantly higher amongst commercial pensions dashboards than government pensions dashboards.

With tools that aggregate pension data into a singular view, individuals will be able to easily assess whether their retirement provisions are sufficient, bringing much-needed visibility to potential inadequacies in savings. Commercial dashboards also have the potential to not only present users with their pension status but also connect them to actionable solutions, such as increasing contributions or consulting financial advisors to improve retirement outcomes.

The session highlighted the restrictive regulations and ambiguous timelines set by the Government, which means private sector firms are struggling to justify investment in dashboard development, despite the desire to do so. This uncertainty may delay access to vital services to British consumers.

For the benefits of pensions dashboards to be realised, this heavily depends on overcoming current regulatory and developmental challenges in the commercial sector. By doing so, private sector dashboards can significantly strengthen individuals’ financial empowerment and preparedness for retirement. Advancing collaboration and refining regulatory policies are pivotal steps toward achieving these goals.

The “incredible complexity” faced by the regulators and civil servants put in charge of delivering the state dashboard and the commercial dashboards that follow was met with a different response from the Select Committee.

What went wrong?

The 3,000 aren’t wrong. The chances of having the kind of dashboard people enjoy using (a commercial dashboard) appearing by 2028 are slim, so punters like me look like having to put up with MaPS’ product.

As Richard Smith points out, Norway and other countries on his trip, told him that no-one uses the Government dashboard. We have failed to give those putting together commercial dashboards the tools to get on with the dashboard, so these guys have put down their tools.

What Richard also learned from Scandinavia is that waiting for a perfect dashboard is a bad idea. A dashboard is bound to be published looking archaic (think AI development) but asking MaPS to bring out a cutting edge product is like expecting a carthorse to win the Derby.

We had better get something out and build fast on it than think a dashboard is going to be perfect from start.

In my view , the dashboard is already closing in on “white elephant” status and the only good thing to do , is ensure we do not miss the October 2026. Many people who are on top of their pensions will have their own dashboard , but for the millions who have not, MaPS is still the only ship in the harbour.

Richard and Kim, let’s make sure it is ship-worthy when we promise it!