As expected, we now have confirmation that a significant portion of the Pensions Act 2004 is to commence on 6 April 2005 - but a number of provisions are set to come into force before that date.

The Pensions Act 2004 (Commencement No. 2, Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Order 2005 (SI 2005/275) empowers the DWP to make regulations from 10 February under a wide range of sections of the Act. More important, this Order brings into force a long list of provisions of the Act "for all other purposes", from various dates from 10 February up to 6 April 2005.