Pensions dashboards data compliance checklist | Heywood

Updated January 2026

Most pension schemes are now connected to pensions dashboards, but connection is just the beginning. Ongoing data quality and compliance are essential to avoid regulatory penalties, member dissatisfaction, and operational strain when dashboards go live to the public.This checklist ensures your data meets PDP standards from connection through to Dashboard Availability Point (DAP) and beyond.

Why data quality matters post-connection

Once connected to pensions dashboards, you're always connected. Members will expect to find accurate pension information when dashboards launch. Data inaccuracies lead to failed matches, possible match surges, and increased member queries - putting pressure on already stretched administration teams.

The Pensions Regulator has made clear it will take a firm stance with schemes that fail to maintain adequate data standards. Regular validation and monitoring aren't optional, they're regulatory requirements.

Pensions Dashboards Data Compliance Checklist

Understand the data matching fields used to connect members to their pensions

The core matching fields include:

• National Insurance Number (Full or First 8 digits)
• Date of Birth
• Surname

Additional fields improve matching accuracy, especially when core data is incomplete or outdated:

• Alternate Surname
• Alternate Postcode
• Mobile Number
• Email Address
• Forename

Ensure your matching rules are configured correctly and review match rates regularly to identify data quality issues early.

Ensure all member data is digitally accessible and integrated

If you still hold paper records, these must be digitised and integrated with your pension administration platform. Data that isn't digitally accessible cannot be shared via dashboards, resulting in failed matches and member complaints.

Conduct regular data audits - not just once, but ongoing

Data quality isn't a one-time exercise. Member information changes constantly- addresses, names, contact details - and data naturally decays over time.

Schedule quarterly or bi-annual audits with a data expert to check, cleanse, and append:

• Date of Birth
• Surname and Forename
• Address (including postcode)
• Mobile Number
• Email Address
• Mortality screening (to identify deceased members)

Monitor and maintain Value Data accuracy

Is your Value Data dashboards-ready? Value Data—current pension values and projected retirement income—is often overlooked but critical to member experience and regulatory compliance.

Schemes must provide Value Data within 10 days of a dashboard request. Incomplete or inaccurate Value Data leads to:

• Regulatory pressure from TPR
• Member complaints and loss of trust
• Increased administration workload

Ensure your Value Data calculations are up to date, comply with AS TM1 or scheme rules, and reflect recent member contributions and scheme changes.

Prepare for possible matches and have a resolution process in place

Pensions Dashboards: Planning for possible matches - A possible match occurs when a member's details partially align with your scheme records but aren't sufficient to confirm an exact match.

When dashboards go live, schemes will face a surge in possible matches. These require resolution within a reasonable timeframe, either manually or through automated tools.

Consider:

• Do you have the resources to handle possible matches manually?
• Would an automated solution like Heywood's Possible Match Resolver reduce administrative burden and improve member experience?

Create reporting infrastructure for ongoing data health monitoring

Without visibility into your data quality, you're flying blind. Implement reporting that provides:

• Data accuracy rates
• Missing or incomplete records
• Match success rates
• Possible match volumes
• Member query trends

Your ISP or pension administration partner should provide dashboards and regular reports that highlight data issues before they become compliance problems.

Heywood's ISP includes built-in data analytics to help you monitor compliance and data quality in real time.

For a detailed explanation of how ISPs work and why schemes need them, read What is a pensions dashboards ISP and why do schemes need one?

Understand what data you must return to members and the timelines

When a member requests their pension information via dashboards, you must provide:

• Pensions arrangement data
• Administrator data
• Employer data
• Value Data
• Signpost data (links to further information or services)

Response times matter. Delays damage member trust and could trigger regulatory scrutiny.

For detailed guidance on data requirements and matching, visit PASA: https://www.pasa-uk.com/guidance-2/

Review and optimise your data processes regularly

Data quality isn't static. As member circumstances change and dashboards usage increases post-DAP, you'll need to:

• Refine matching rules based on performance data
• Address recurring data gaps (e.g., missing NI numbers, outdated addresses)
• Scale your processes to handle increased query volumes
• Train your team on handling complex cases and possible matches

Schemes that treat data quality as an ongoing priority - remember, this is not a one-time project - will avoid operational strain and maintain member confidence when dashboards launch.

Need help ensuring your scheme is dashboards-ready?

Heywood's data services and ISP solutions ensure your scheme remains compliant, operationally efficient, and ready for Dashboard Availability Point.