F1PART 20APENSIONS GUIDANCE

Giving of pensions guidance

333BF2Secretary of State’s role in relation to pensions guidance

(1)

The F3Secretary of State must take such steps as F4the Secretary of State considers appropriate to ensure that people have access to pensions guidance.

(2)

The F5Secretary of State may—

(a)

seek to increase awareness of the availability of the guidance;

(b)

undertake or commission research relating to the giving of the guidance.

333CGiving of pensions guidance

(1)

The bodies listed in subsection (2) are to give pensions guidance in accordance with arrangements made with the F6Secretary of State.

(2)

Those bodies are—

(a)

the Pensions Advisory Service Limited;

(b)

the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux;

(c)

the Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux;

(d)

the Northern Ireland Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux.

(3)

The bodies listed in subsection (2) may give pensions guidance by arranging for it to be given by another person (including another listed body).

(4)

The National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, the Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux and the Northern Ireland Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux may jointly carry out their functions of giving pensions guidance.

(5)

The F7Secretary of State may by regulations repeal one or more of paragraphs (a) to (d) of subsection (2).

(6)

Regulations under subsection (5) may make consequential amendments of this Act.

333DFinancial assistance to bodies involved in giving pensions guidance

(1)

The F8Secretary of State may make grants or loans or give any other form of financial assistance to—

(a)

the Pensions Advisory Service Limited;

(b)

the Northern Ireland Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux.

(For the power to make grants to the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux and the Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux see section 40A of the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007.)

(2)

Any grant, loan or other form of financial assistance under subsection (1)—

(a)

is to be made or given for the purpose of enabling the body to carry out its functions under section 333C(1), and

(b)

may be made or given subject to such other terms as the F9Secretary of State considers appropriate.