How will I receive the AAS questionnaire?
The Scheme Administrator will send the questionnaire to the individual(s) in your organisation who will complete the Annual Assurance Statement, via email
What should I do if my organisation’s firewall blocks the AAS questionnaire material?
All questionnaires will be sent out as in the non-macro enabled version this year. Alternatively, if you use a secure transfer method (for example, Egress), let us know and we will upload your questionnaire using this method.
When will I receive the AAS questionnaire?
Please see this year's AAS EPN.
What should I do if I've not received my AAS questionnaire?
Check your spam/junk folders. If you still don’t have it, read this year's AAS EPN to see when the deadline was to receive your AAS questionnaire. If the deadline has passed, you can request another AAS questionnaire by emailing AAS2026@civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk or use the version attached to this year's EPN.
When does the AAS questionnaire need to be completed by?
Please see this year's AAS EPN. This year’s deadline was Friday 12 September 2026.
What should I do if I cannot meet the deadline?
Contact the Scheme Administrator at AAS2026@civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk. They will contact the Scheme Manager (Cabinet Office) on your behalf to agree an extension.
Who needs to sign the declaration?
Your organisation’s Accounting Officer (AO) (if you are a Civil Service employer) or Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (if you are a New Fair Deal employer).
Question 1a - Employer name: May I use an abbreviation for my organisation's name?
No. Please type in your organisations full name, as legally registered.
Question 1b - Additional Civil Service agencies or NDPBs : How do I add additional names?
Please answer “yes” and add the name(s) in the rows below.
Question 2 - Contributions and allowances a) We have not been able to correctly deduct and pay over our contributions by the due date. How do I report this? b+c) How do I know if we have elements of pensionable pay where only the employer/employee makes contributions? d) How do I know if we have any new pensionable allowances?
a) Answer “no” to the question, then detail the reasons why and the proposed corrective actions.
b+c) Please consult with your Payroll Team if you are in doubt as to the pensionable status of a pay element.(Note – do not include Partnership employer only contributions)
d) You will have needed Cabinet Office approval to set up a new pensionable allowance. Your Payroll Team should be able to help.
Question 3 - AVC, Concord and Partnership schemes a) We have not been able to correctly calculate and pay over contributions and associated data. How do we report this? b) How do I obtain a certificate to certify that the Partnership/Concord scheme meets the automatic enrolment quality standards?
a. Please answer “no” and provide details of the issue, when it was noticed, and how it is being corrected with the provider.
b. For information on EPN 576, please see the Civil Service Pension Scheme page on the National Archive and Section 5.13 of the EPG.
Question 4 - Data Compliance a) We use the full interface, does this apply to us? Our monthly interface submissions aren’t compliant with the Data Validation failure target. How do we report this? b) We don’t use a Cabinet Office approved method. How do I report this?
Please follow the questions and answers on the questionnaire. We acknowledge that no interfaces have been loaded since November 2025
If you need more information, please refer to the Employer Pension Guide - Section 8 for information on Compendia payroll and data responsibilities.
For information on Data Interface transfer methods, please see the Civil Service Pension Scheme page on the National Archive.
Question 5 - Stakeholder charter/admissions agreement a) Where do I find more information on the Stakeholder Charter/Admission Agreement?
a. For further information on Roles and Responsibilities, please see the Civil Service Pension Scheme page on the National Archive.
Question 6 - New Fair Deal a) What is a sponsoring body for a New Fair Deal (NFD) employer? b) We are a New Fair Deal (NFD) employer, what confirmation do you require?
a. As a government department, you may have applied to the Cabinet Office to be the sponsor of an arm’s length public body (e.g., outsourcing services and TUPE transfers).
b. Please confirm that you have supplied Cabinet Office with a list of all eligible employees as at 31 March 2026, and you have agreed to indemnify the Minister and Cabinet Office for any losses arising from ineligible members.
For information on New Fair Deal, please see the Civil Service Pension Scheme page on the National Archive
Question 7 - Changes - We would appreciate your insights into any significant programmes, such as a change in payroll provider, exit schemes etc., that you anticipate during 2026/27 . Any details you can provide will be greatly beneficial to us.
Please tell us about any insights into significant programmes during 2026/27.
