Getting you ready for the Pensions Dashboard
There are two main options available to connect AVCs to the Dashboard - multi source or single source:
1. Multi source - we submit data direct to the Dashboard through our Integrated Service Provider (ISP) with or without a pension link
Multi-source connection happens when different parts of your pension scheme are connected to the Pensions Dashboard independently, often by different providers or administrators.
For example:
- Your main pension benefits might be connected by your scheme administrator.
- Your Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) might be connected separately by us using our Integrated Service Provider (ISP).
Even though these parts are linked separately, they’re all part of the same pension scheme.
The Pensions Link is a unique identifier that ensures:
- All benefits from the same scheme are grouped.
- You see a complete and organised view of your pension, even if the data comes from different sources.
2. Single source - we send data back to the trustee or main scheme administrator
With single source connection, we’ll send data to you or your scheme administrator by Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP).
You or your administrator will then have the responsibility of connecting all data to the Dashboard.
What you may want to consider about the options
Our teams have been working closely with multiple AVC administrators, Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) and our ISP to ensure that we’re fully engaged with developments and views on the most effective option available.
Whilst we can support all connection methods – we believe the single source option is the most effective way to connect your members where we don't hold full member data and/or can't service customers directly.
Moving forward
If you choose to move forward on a single source basis, you’ll need to:
- confirm your connection date; and
- work with us to set up a SFTP connection
If you’d rather opt for multi source, we recommend you consider running a member data reconciliation to help with the matching process. We’ll also need the following information from you:
- Your connection date
- Administrator details (if we don’t directly deal with your members)
- Agreement on Matching Criteria
- Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) - if you're choosing to use a pensions link
- The Pension Scheme Registry (PSR) number
- The Pensions Dashboard Registration Code – this is a unique code provided by the regulator to enable connection to the Pensions Dashboard ecosystem. An example registration code is A1234567
- Statement of Investment Principles (SIP) - optional
- Annual Report URL – optional
Next steps and how to contact us
We need you to contact us at least 9 months before your connection date, to give us enough time to collate all the data needed to connect your members to the Dashboard - especially if you plan to undertake a reconciliation exercise.
If you’re ready to get started or have questions about the Dashboard, please get in touch with us at prudential.pensions.dashboard@mandg.com
Frequently Asked Questions
We connected to the Dashboard in April 2025 for our non-trust based schemes. For our trust based schemes, where we agree to connect on their behalf, we’ll agree with trustees on the date data will be released. We’ll be using Heywood Pension Technologies as our third party ISP.
We need sufficient time to collate the data to connect to the Dashboard. Please get in touch with us at least nine months before your connection date, especially if you wish to undertake a reconciliation exercise.
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) issue registration codes – you can visit their website for more information here: Connecting to pensions dashboards | The Pensions Regulator
We can provide a reconciliation report, which will allow you to check the accuracy of the data we hold on your members ahead of connecting to the Dashboard. To request this, please get it in touch with us at prudential.pensions.dashboard@mandg.com
Please see our matching criteria below. If we're connecting on your behalf to the Dashboard, we can apply a different matching criteria as agreed with trustees.
We’ll be issuing an addendum to our policy documents to cover the additional services and responsibilities for the Pensions Dashboard.
At this time, we have no intention to charge for providing the Pensions Dashboard service. If there's a delay in engagement as a result of trustees not providing information in a timely manner, we then reserve the right to recoup any additional costs incurred.
ERI is a projection of the regular income which could be payable at the retirement date, assuming growth and future contributions (if applicable) to the current fund.
ERI will be projected to a member’s Normal Retirement Date (NRD) if the date is in the future. We’ll stop providing the ERI once a member is within one year of their NRD - this will display DCHP on the dashboard DC/Hybrid benefit, where the user is within 2 years of their retirement date or older.
AV is a projection of the regular income which could be payable at the retirement date using today's fund value, assuming no growth or future contributions. This is a new value that isn’t currently provided to members.
AV will be projected to a member’s Normal Retirement Date (NRD) if the date is in the future. Once they reach NRD, the calculation will be based on the member taking their retirement immediately. The date we’re using to calculate the AV fund value is the scheme year end. This should align with any scheme revisions. The AV will continue to be provided until the member takes their benefits.
All values include Annual and Final Bonus (if applicable).
Yes, we use the assumption and methods detailed in ASTM1 5.1 to calculate the ERI and AV. ASTM1 specifies the assumptions and methods to be used in the calculation of statutory illustrations of money purchase pensions, annual benefit statements and Pensions Dashboard.
We’re required to provide value data based on a statement provided to a member in the last 13 months, or a calculation made for the member in the last 12 months (i.e. if there was a previous request made on a Dashboard).
If a value hasn't been provided and a member logs onto the Pensions Dashboard, it will trigger a request. We're then required to provide a value within three working days for DC/AVC values, and 10 working days for DB.
We’ll add new members to the Pensions Dashboard within three months of joining the scheme and paying their first contribution. Values may not appear in line with what members have received in their first Annual Benefit Statement. For AVCs, we assume the three months applies from the date the member joins the AVC and not the date they join the main scheme.
If you were to choose a different date, unfortunately it wouldn’t be as simple as changing the scheme revision date as this potentially has a negative impact on any members invested in the Prudential With-Profits fund and Deposit Fund. We’re actively seeking a solution to the challenge of changing the date where values are calculated – this needs significant investigation and development, which the TPR are aware of.
Yes – we’d be happy to provide you with further information - please contact us at prudential.pensions.dashboard@mandg.com to request this.
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"Prudential" is a trading name of Prudential Distribution Limited. Prudential Distribution Limited is registered in Scotland. Registered Office at 5 Central Way, Kildean Business Park, Stirling, FK8 1FT. Registered number SC212640. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Prudential Distribution Limited is part of the same corporate group as the Prudential Assurance Company Limited. The Prudential Assurance Company Limited and Prudential Distribution Limited are direct/indirect subsidiaries of M&G plc, a company incorporated in the United Kingdom. These companies are not affiliated in any manner with Prudential Financial, Inc, a company whose principal place of business is in the United States of America or Prudential plc, an international group incorporated in the United Kingdom.