How the Pensions Policy Institute could support a pensions commission

In a letter sent to Professional Pensions as part of the PP Pensions Commission, PPI director Chris Curry said the organisation was "non-lobbying" and did not take a position on options for pensions policy.

But it said the PPI could help inform policymakers when considering the ideas and priorities put forward by the industry

Curry said: "When considering the priorities identified by the industry the PPI would be able to ensure that policymakers have access to unbiased evidence and data to support their decision making.

"The PPI's independent research helps fosters innovation and critical thinking and challenges the audience, encouraging a wider perspective and consideration of topic areas from multiple angles, which is a crucial component for any policymaker when considering policy implications."

He added: "We are a trusted source of information and the expert organisation to undertake research from an independent, evidence-based perspective."

The PPI was created in 2001, following a report written by the Pension Provision Group (PPG). The report, We all need pensions, concluded that "an organisation, independent of government, needs to have lead responsibility for accumulating, analysing and publishing information about current and future pension provision and its implication for pension policy".

Curry said that this statement remained at the core of everything the PPI does. He said: "At the PPI we believe that better facts, evidence, information and understanding will lead to a better policy framework and better provision of retirement for all."

This article was published as part of Professional Pensions' PP Pensions Commission – which is bringing together industry opinion and ideas on the future of pensions to send to the new government