Agenda item

Report of: Vicki Green, Pension Services Manager

The Board are invited to review the latest Administration Report as presented to the Pension Fund Committee on 5 September 2025, including the latest performance statistics for the service. 

Vicki Green, Pension Services Manager presented the Administration Report, presented to the Pension Fund Committee on 5 September 2025 which included the latest performance statistics for the service.  She advised of the following:

·       The team processed over 8,500 cases in the quarter, with a significant proportion relating to leavers and new starters.

·       Improvements in reporting had provided better workload visibility.

·       In the last quarter, 97% of employer monthly returns were verified within the service level agreement, those not vetted had ongoing data concerns with employers and required further work to complete.

·       Nearly all annual benefit statements were issued, with only a handful outstanding due to McCloud related complexities.

·       The number of complaints received were outlined in the report, and the majority of these were concerning payments and processes, and work is in place to rectify these.

·       It was confirmed that the Fund was now connected to the Pension Dashboard ahead of schedule, however work is still ongoing with AVC providers.

·       An application to exercise the discretion under the LGPS (Information Regulations 2024) not to include the McCloud protection in the figures in the 2025 Annual Benefit Statements for a small group of members, allowing extension of the implementation to 31 August 2026.  All affected members would be notified of their position in the 2025 Annual Benefit Statements, in line with the disclosure regulations.

·       Staffing remained a challenge with several vacancies being filled by agency staff and ongoing recruitment to senior posts.  Workforce planning seeks to address the long-term needs of the team.

The Board noted the report.