7 Days is a weekly round up of developments in pensions, normally published on Monday mornings. We collate this information from key industry sources, such as the DWP, HMRC and TPR.

In this 7 Days

TPR updates significant event J guidance for master trusts

TPR has updated its guidance for master trusts on significant event J which explains when a failure of a system or process used to run a master trust may need to be reported. It covers the test for reporting, how to assess significant adverse effects, when and how to notify TPR, who has reporting duties, and examples using a red, amber and green traffic-light approach. TPR has also published a new notification form for use when notifying and an update form to provide monthly updates after the initial notification.

PDP update on dashboard connection progress

On 15 October 2026, the PDP published an update confirming that the “overwhelming majority” (96%) of pension records within scope are expected to be connected to the pensions dashboards ecosystem by the 31 October 2026 deadline. Subsequent connection of pension providers and schemes who have approved deferrals will take in-scope coverage to 100%.

MaPS CEO, Oliver Morley, urged the industry to “double-down on readiness” ahead of the expected launch of the MoneyHelper dashboard in the 2027/28 financial year. Testing continues and MaPS expects to publish further updates and research in the coming months.

Pensions UK guide to embracing AI responsibly

On 15 October 2026, Pensions UK published a new report setting out how pension funds can make responsible use of AI to “improve outcomes for savers, while managing the risks created by rapid technological change”. This forms part of Pensions UK’s “2030 Ready” series, which looks at the changes, opportunities and challenges expected to shape pensions over the next decade.

Areas highlighted where AI could support the pensions sector include improving member communications, helping schemes deliver more targeted support, reducing manual administration, detecting fraud and scams, improving accessibility for vulnerable savers and unlocking data held in legacy systems.

The guidance also sets out risks that trustees and schemes will need to manage, including inaccurate AI-generated outputs, cyber security, data privacy, intellectual property issues, labour market disruption and environmental impacts linked to AI infrastructure.

Pensions UK is working with TPR to develop a new tool to provide trustees and others using AI in their roles with up-to-date, practical guidance on AI in pensions.

PPI report on the opportunities in pensions reform

On 12 October 2026, the PPI published a report, “The Better Pensions Dividend”, setting out why improving retirement adequacy should be “seen as an investment opportunity rather than a cost”. Drawing on evidence from the UK and overseas, the report explores how a stronger pensions system could “help deliver not only better retirement outcomes, but also stronger economic growth, more sustainable public finances and greater financial resilience across society”.

PPI lost pension pots survey results

On 13 October 2026, the PPI published its Lost Pensions 2026 survey results, estimating that there are around three million lost pension pots in the UK, containing approximately £18.7 billion in pension assets. This year’s survey, which launched in April 2026, was expanded to include DB providers for the first time. The findings from this “exploratory evidence” indicate that “lost DB entitlements exist across different types of schemes and highlight the need for better data to understand their scale and value”. The report also uses revised methodologies so is not directly comparable with survey results from previous years.

PPF publishes its second sustainability report

On 15 October 2026, the PPF published its latest Sustainability Report, setting out how its approach has developed over the past five years and its key achievements and milestones in climate analysis and stewardship. Climate remains one of the PPF’s “most financially significant risks and opportunities”. The PPF has increased the amount of its portfolio covered by climate analysis to 82% of Fund net asset value and is now planning to improve its understanding of where the most material impacts occur.