Release date: 23 December 2004
Updated: 5 April 2011

The Government is part way through its reform of UK pensions. The aim is to make pensions simpler and easier to understand, and hence to encourage individuals to boost their pension savings where they can.

A key early stage in the program was the simplification of pension tax law, resulting from legislation introduced by the Finance Act 2004 and the Pensions Act 2004. These ‘Pensions Simplification’ changes mostly became effective on 6 April 2006, known as ‘A-Day’.

For information on these changes you can view or download our basic and detailed guides. You can also find out more about the Pensions Act 2004 by visiting the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) website, or by using the links below to download information.

If you are a Pension Trustee, you can get more specific information about these changes and how they affect you from our Pension Trustee section.