The Pension UK conference is starting today, the facts for those who are going and those who are paying to go or for others to go, is summarised below.
This is a big event. Pensions UK estimate that over 1600 people will attend and they have justified claims for value for money – especially where there is no money paid
And the estimated numbers attending at 1600 + is well in excess of last year
A success story for Pension UK
Pensions UK lay out their stall acutely. They know that this is a trade show but it has the attraction of being for an industry that is in change and in the public eye. It does not stand back, it is speaking to members and those outside the tent peeping through the flaps.
The pensions industry is entering a defining period, being reshaped by consolidation, the focus on investment in growth assets, and an urgent spotlight on the need for people to save more, to understand what their retirement savings are worth and to be supported and empowered to use them.
Pensions UK has published a forward-looking report preparing the industry for the demographic, economic and systemic changes expected to shape pensions in the 2030s, essential pre-conference reading. At our first ever Annual Conference under our new name, we’re bringing together the pensions industry to discuss the practical steps for making pensions 2030 Ready.
Delegates can join conversations with ministers, regulators and industry leaders shaping the future of pensions and learn from thought leaders in economics, social research, finance, and technology.
The full programme includes:
- Future-focused discussion across key themes including regulatory reform, member outcomes and engagement, investment and risk management, consolidation, and DE&I
- 10 plenaries, 24 stream sessions, 6 fireside chats, 2 roundtables
- Speakers including major names from our members and Torsten Bell MP
- Diverse perspectives, from leaders to early career professionals, from governance, investment and legislation to member engagement
- Unique networking: conference run, walking tours, and high-energy evening events.
And here things are changing for membership
This is information from Pension Age
Pensions UK has confirmed that it will proceed with changes to its subscription model and membership categories, effective from 2026, following a consultation with members earlier this year.
The proposed changes include increasing the maximum subscription for fund members (pension schemes) from £23,405 to £35,000 over three years, which will affect its 22 largest members, as well as dividing its master trust members and business members into three categories – business members with a master trust, ‘pure’ master trusts and ‘pure’ business members.
The association stated that business members with a master trust will have their two subscriptions combined into one ‘multi’ membership based on the master trust assets under management (AUM).
The banding for this will increase, with the cap rising to £50,000 for £10bn AUM, and these members will only receive free delegate tickets for their trustees.
Meanwhile, ‘pure’ master trusts, including ‘monoline’ or ‘non-commercial’ master trusts (and excluding ‘accidental’ master trusts), will continue to have subscriptions based on assets under management, and their banding will increase to the same cap as business members with a master trust. ‘Pure’ business members will see no change to their subscriptions.
These changes in to subscriptions fees will be phased over three years from 2026 to 2028, when it invoices members in December 2025 for the year 2026.
In addition to these two changes, Pensions UK will also create a new membership category for local government pension funds and their administering authorities, based on the current fund member terms, with the maximum fee remaining at £23,405, increasing with inflation.
However, it said that it might revisit this category when the future of the local government pension landscape is clearer.
The organisation also said that it will now have five classes of members, including fund members, local government members, master trust members (no business member links), business members with associated master trusts, and business members.
Furthermore, the international member category will be removed, with members transitioning to the most suitable of the five existing membership categories – typically the fund member category.
It confirmed there will be no change to the services these members receive, and their subscriptions will be calculated based on their new membership category.
The association said it has decided to change its subscriptions as it “recognises the importance of continuing to be well resourced to support members and their views in what will be a sustained period of unprecedented change for UK pensions”.
Speaking to Pensions Age, a spokesperson for Pensions UK said: “The changes to our subscription model reflect rapid consolidation across the industry. We’re asking some members to pay more, but we will also increase the value our members get for their money.
More from the big boys to keep it cheap for those without the capacity to pay more? I think this would be fair. There are less schemes but bigger ones and it is important that employers who no longer have schemes – have a way to come to this annual conference and the investment conference at discounted rates. Being members of Pensions UK allows for this with these changes.
Both Pensions UK and PMI have worked things out and have become important in a way they weren’t five or ten years ago. Sound management and a keen attention to the detail of their membership will mean that conferences like the one we go to Manchester for today, are still a feature of spring and autumn in five to ten years time. We cannot look much further but I am sure when I first came in 1995, I didn’t expect such continuity.
Here’s the stated strategy downloadable from this link
