Half of TPR's senior leadership team received bonuses in 2016/17
Exactly half of The Pensions Regulator's (TPR) permanent senior leadership team received a bonus in the 2016/17 year, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request reveals.
Another 50% of permanent people managers received a bonus, while just 23% of other staff were granted an uplift during the year.
Pay rewards were broken into "strong" and "exceptional" nomination levels; the former is granted where performance significantly exceeds expectations, while the latter exceptionally exceeds expectations, the response said.
The regulator revealed that 12% of the senior leadership team were awarded an "exceptional" nomination level, while just 5% of general staff received the same award. For people managers, the figure was 15%.
Conversely, 38% of senior leadership received a "strong" nomination, compared to 35% and 18% of people managers and general staff respectively.
Bonuses are "subject to a rigorous moderation process", including final approval by its remuneration committee, the FoI added.
The figures build on information released in TPR's annual report, which showed that chief executive Lesley Titcomb was granted a £15,000 to £20,000 uplift on top of her £205,000 to £210,000 salary in the year.
The same report recorded both Titcomb and former executive director of auto-enrolment (AE) Charles Counsell opted out of the civil service pension arrangement in the same year.
A TPR spokesperson said: "TPR is subject to the same spending restrictions as the rest of the public sector and continues to behave responsibly within the current fiscal climate.
"We regulate an industry that controls assets of more than £1.7 trillion and we will have responsibility for nearly 32 million pension scheme memberships by 2018. We therefore need to attract and retain experienced staff of the necessary calibre in a technically complex industry.
"Staff salary and benefits packages are commensurate with the level of strategic responsibility and with similar roles in other organisations. Opportunities to be awarded an end of year discretionary bonus is an important part of that package.
"Strict criteria must be met before a discretionary bonus is awarded. Bonuses are capped at £10,000, as set by the Department for Work and Pensions."
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