Report attached.

Contact: Debbie Sharp (01743) 252192

The Board received the report of the Pensions Administration Manager – copy attached to the signed Minutes – which provided Members with the latest administration and regulatory updates affecting the Local Government Pensions Scheme.

      The Pensions Administration Manager drew attention to the following:

·         Helen Woodvine from Coverage Care had been appointed to the vacant Employer Representative post.

·         The Employers meeting had been scheduled for 22 November 2021.  The Agenda items for the meeting were noted in paragraph 6.1 of the report.  The Pensions Administration Manager confirmed that they would be publicising the Annual Report but that the Annual meeting would not be a live event this year.

·         The Pensions Team were looking at signing up to the Scams pledge through the Pensions Regulator to ensure that everything possible was being done to ensure the members do not transfer their benefits to an unregulated scheme without understanding all of the consequences.

·         The LGPS Guide for Pension Board members, Committee members and Officers had been circulated.  The Pensions Administration Manager explained that it was a working document at the moment and any comments back would be welcomed.

·         It was confirmed that the Annual Benefit Statements had all gone out on time apart from seven that could not be put live for which the members had been written to.

·         In relation to the McCloud update (Paragraph 10 of the report) the Pensions Administration Manager reported that the Public Service and Judicial Offices Bill had gone through parliament and that guidance had been issued.

·         The Pensions Administration Manager gave an update in relation to the Pension Regulator’s Single Code of Practice which had been put back until Spring 2022 however Officers were working on what was in the draft Code.

·         The Pensions Regulator’s annual scheme return had been received and had to be completed by 10 November.

·         The Pensions Administration Manager highlighted the improvements being made to My Pension online (paragraph 13 of the report), improvements to the i-connect data portal and a recruitment exercise for four new posts to the team.

In response to a query, the Pensions Administration Manager reported that there were a number of transfers out made throughout the year and agreed to provide Members with the statistics.  She explained the strict process followed to ensure members fully understood what would happen and what they could get from the fund.  She was not aware of any member who had regretted leaving the scheme and if they were entitled to a transfer under the legislation, they could not be stopped.

Referring to My Pensions Online, the Pensions Administration Manager explained what the service provided for those who lack or have reduced mental capacity, which included one to ones to go through the paperwork with one of the team, facilitated MS Teams meetings (with assistance from a family member, if required) and bookable public meeting rooms eg the Shrewsbury Hub in the Town Centre, would be used once they were reintroduced.  The Pensions Administration Manager explained that they talked the family through the Court of Protection process and would raise any concerns with Social Services or the Council’s People Directorate.

In response to a query, the Pensions Administration Manager confirmed that employers did have the opportunity to raise issues/queries prior to the Employees meeting.  She explained that they were looking to introduce targeted meetings for different types of employers as one size did not fit all.