DWP blames Pension Wise job cuts on 'excess capacity'

Guiders to be cut by a third

Nicola Brittain
clock • 1 min read

The number of guiders working for government-backed Pension Wise is to be cut by a third as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reins in spare capacity.

Full-time Pension Wise guiders will reduce from about 287 in 2015/16 to 185 in 2016/17 as the government aims to reduce the overall budget for the service by a quarter. The DWP said this is the inevitable result of reducing spare capacity in the service.  A DWP spokesperson said: "We deliberately built extra capacity into the Pension Wise service at the start to ensure that anyone could make an appointment, regardless of where they lived in the UK. "Pension Wise has now been running for nearly a year and we are in a better position to plan capacity. We are actively working with our...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Pensions

Budget 26: Government to get rid of two-year tax rule on lump sum death benefits

Budget 26: Government to get rid of two-year tax rule on lump sum death benefits

Changes will also be made to how tax due on excess lump sum death benefits is collected

Jonathan Stapleton
clock 28 October 2026 • 1 min read
Budget 26: State pensioners to be shielded from income tax

Budget 26: State pensioners to be shielded from income tax

State pension expected to rise to £13,036

Sophia Panayi
clock 28 October 2026 • 2 min read
Budget Media Watch: Healey to raise tax-free allowance for low-income state pensioners

Budget Media Watch: Healey to raise tax-free allowance for low-income state pensioners

Not expected to tinker with tax-free lump sum

Jen Frost
clock 26 October 2026 • 2 min read