§ The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr. Andrew Smith)The proposals we are publishing today are the next part of the Government's strategy for private and occupational pensions as set out in the pensions Green Paper.
Informed Choices for Working and Saving (Cm 6111) takes forward a central element of the pensions agenda and sets out our strategy for empowering individuals to make real and informed choices on working and saving for their retirement.
The Government's strategy is based around three steps—activation, education and information. We are determined:
- to enable people to make the most of pension provision and encourage availability of the right pension products;
- to raise people's awareness of their options and improve financial education; and
- to ensure that everyone has high-quality, accurate and timely information.
We in Government want to build on our partnership working with employers, individuals, the financial services industry, trade unions and the voluntary sector who all have a part to play taking this agenda forward.
Our Informed Choice strategy is only one part of our wider pension reform programme. Alongside Informed Choice the forthcoming Pensions Bill will take forward measures that bolster security for scheme members while also making it easier, simpler and more flexible for employers and employees to contribute to pensions.