The act, which received Royal Assent on 19 June 2025, introduced several changes to how pension schemes handle and share data and is aimed at improving transparency and giving members better access to their information.
The act is being rolled out in stages through a series of commencement regulations, with all the rules expected to be in place by June 2026.
Cartwright Pension Trusts said the act represents a “significant milestone” in the UK’s post-Brexit approach to data protection.
While the act introduces new compliance responsibilities, it also offers schemes the opportunity to streamline legacy systems, adopt more efficient digital tools, and reduce administrative burdens.
The firm urged schemes to treat the initial provisions not just as a compliance requirement, but as a catalyst for much-needed transformation in pension data management.
Cartwright director of pensions administration, Julie Yates, argued that schemes cannot afford to treat this act as just another ‘tick-box’ exercise and emphasised that if “done well” it could ease the day-to-day burden on administrators and create a platform for more meaningful engagement with members.
Yates singled out the enhanced rights to access their data with schemes expected to provide it in a clear and usable digital format as one of the “most significant changes” in the act.
She said this change will make the transfer of data "smoother" and help "cut out" the potential risk of data errors that come from having to rekey information.
“Too many schemes are still reliant on outdated systems that create inefficiencies and risk errors. The new Data Act provides a clear mandate to change that,” she said.
Yates also said that trustees also have a “central role to play”, as they must take ownership of ensuring data is accurate, secure and up to date.
“Those who act now will not only stay on the right side of regulation, but also gain efficiencies, strengthen relationships with administrators and employers, and deliver clearer, more reliable communications for members,” she argued.
“These are the improvements and opportunities from this that everyone should be focusing on.”
