Events

03 SEP 2026

⚽ Match Day Report

Eight teams. 25 years of pensions history. One champion.

On Thursday 3 September 2026, the Pensions Policy Institute (PPI) marked its 25th anniversary with a pensions debate with a difference, the inaugural Pensions World Cup.

The humidity proved no match for our intrepid teams, who battled it out on the pitch in front of an engaged crowd, faced tough opposition, defended tackles and deflections, and entered into the spirit and passion of the Pensions World Cup.

Hosted at Central Hall Westminster, the event brought together eight teams to make the case for the pensions reform or development they believed had made the greatest contribution to the UK pensions landscape over the past 25 years.

Taking to the pitch on the day were:

⚽ CDC – Kevin Wesbroom and Iain McLellan

⚽ Pension Freedoms – Steve Lowe

⚽ Mansion House – Julius Pursaill

⚽ Automatic Enrolment – Sir Steve Webb and Helen Dean CBE

⚽ The establishment of the PPF – Baroness Ros Altmann CBE and Lawrence Churchill CBE

⚽ The launch of the Pensions Commission – Margaret Snowdon OBE

⚽ Guided Retirement – Kathryn Fleming and Jamie Jenkins

⚽ The introduction of the new State Pension – Lynda Whitney

The Group Stage

The Group Stage kicked off with teams having to keep up with the fast-paced run of play, having just five minutes to make their case to a packed crowd, with no questions and, importantly, no time for time-wasting!

The teams made their pitches, setting out why their particular reform or development had had the greatest impact, significance and lasting legacy over the past quarter of a century. But ultimately, it was the crowd who held the power. Armed with a football, every member of the audience was asked to vote for the team they felt had made the strongest case. The four teams receiving the most votes progressed to the Final.

It was a close-run game, with the Assistant Referees needing to verify the results with the help of VAR.

The votes were counted and verified, and the four teams successfully through to the Final were:

⚽ Pension Freedoms – Steve Lowe

⚽ Automatic Enrolment – Sir Steve Webb and Helen Dean CBE

⚽ The establishment of the PPF – Baroness Ros Altmann CBE and Lawrence Churchill CBE

⚽ The introduction of the new State Pension – Lynda Whitney

The Final

Anticipation grew during the half-time hydration break, with the teams regrouping to come out fighting in the second half. The competition was fierce, the anticipation was high and reputations were at stake.

As each team returned to the pitch to valiantly defend their reform, they faced tackles from the crowd and, unexpectedly, from the other teams! The finalists certainly embraced the competitive spirit, challenging each other’s arguments and putting their opponents under pressure. There were some offsides called, but play remained friendly, and the tackles made for some particularly entertaining moments.

With their defence withstanding the final tackles from their competitors, it was time to move closer to the final whistle.

Following scrutiny of the results from the VAR table, the votes were counted and verified.

🏆 And the winner is – Automatic Enrolment Team 4!

Congratulations to Sir Steve Webb and Helen Dean CBE, who were crowned the inaugural Pensions World Cup Champions.

While there could only be one winner, all eight teams played a huge part in making the event such a success. The quality of the arguments, the enthusiasm of the teams and the engagement of the crowd made for a lively and thought-provoking afternoon.

Celebrating 25 years of pensions

The Pensions World Cup was designed to be fun, but it also provided an opportunity to reflect on the significant reforms and developments that have shaped pensions over the past 25 years.

From automatic enrolment and pension freedoms to the PPF, the Pensions Commission, CDC, Guided Retirement, Mansion House and the new State Pension, the tournament highlighted just how much the pensions landscape has changed, and how important evidence, debate and challenge remain in shaping its future.

It was a fitting way to celebrate 25 years of the Pensions Policy Institute and our commitment to providing independent, evidence-based research and encouraging informed debate on the issues that matter to pensions and retirement policy.

A huge thank you to all eight teams for taking part, embracing the spirit of the competition and giving the crowd plenty to debate and to everyone who came along and played their part in making the inaugural Pensions World Cup such a memorable event.

The final whistle has blown, the trophy has been lifted – and the inaugural Pensions World Cup has its champions! ⚽🏆