Doors remain open as FAS prepares to close

We made this decision after careful consideration, having kept FAS open for 10 years longer than the original deadline set in order to give schemes enough time to come forward.

We’ve dealt with applications from more than 1,300 schemes... and FAS has protected the benefits of around 155,000 members

Although we believe we have captured the majority of pension schemes that would qualify for FAS assistance, we are offering a final window of opportunity for any potentially eligible remaining schemes to come forward – and I urge them to get in touch with us as soon as possible.

It is important to note that the closure of FAS to new schemes will in no way affect members currently receiving, or with a deferred entitlement to receive, assistance payments from the FAS. 

What is FAS?

FAS was set up to help members of schemes that wound up between January 1 1997 and April 5 2005 and were unable to pay member benefits, as well as those that started winding up after April 5 2015 but became insolvent before that date.

FAS has been managed by the Pension Protection Fund since 2009, on behalf of the government, and is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions.

During this time we have dealt with applications from more than 1,300 schemes, of which 1,027 have been processed successfully. Of these, we are still dealing with 29 schemes, and FAS has protected the benefits of around 155,000 members.

Get in touch

If you know of any scheme you think may be potentially eligible for FAS assistance, please contact us directly so we can look into their eligibility as soon as possible and make sure that people do not miss out on assistance to which they may be entitled.

Telephone: 0845 600 2541

Textphone: 0845 600 2542 (if you have speech or hearing difficulties)

Email: ContactFAS@ppf.gsi.gov.uk

Sue Rivas is deputy director of scheme and member services at the Pension Protection Fund