News
Viewpoints: Pensions complification
The volume of pensions legislation in force has been increasing exponentially in the last fifteen years with annual Finance Acts, six Pensions Acts and two Pension Schemes Acts, plus hundreds of sets of regulations.
Don't fear the 'T' word
At the start of 2018, it looked like the upward trend in Defined Benefit (DB) transfer activity was set to continue. Despite sound predictions, activity started to tail off towards the end of the year, which raises the question - has the DB transfer bubble finally burst?
Trafalgar House named Administration Provider of the Year at the 2019 Pensions Age Awards
We are delighted to have been recognised at the 2019 Pensions Awards as Administration Provider of the Year
Mortality screening: What you need to know
We do not like to talk about death. Even though it is part of an administrator’s daily routine, it is a subject many of us prefer to avoid. But the truth is, mortality screening is a fundamental part of pensions administration, and without it pension schemes would be a mess of overpayments, recovery procedures and wasted money.
Automatic-enrolment pension contribution rates to rise from 6th April 2019
In 2018, employee contributions to automatic-enrolment workplace pension schemes reached an all-time high with more than seventy per cent of the workforce becoming pension scheme members.
Does service consolidation really make things more efficient?
Much debate has been had on the subject of consolidation recently. For smaller schemes especially, the benefits of streamlined processes, reduced operational fees and simplified governance structures are very seductive. Toby Clark, Client Relationship Manager, takes a look at the reality of service consolidation.
Trafalgar House awarded Investor in Customers Gold for second year running
Trafalgar House today announced the successful achievement of the Investor in Customers (IIC) Gold Award, the highest available accolade, for the second successive year.
Back to the future
Gillian Hickey, Implementation Project Manager, takes a look at the recent GMP equalisation ruling and has a funny feeling that we've been here before...
DC, not as easy as ABC
Administration of defined contribution schemes (DC) is often quoted as being easy or simple when compared to their more mature defined benefit (DB) counterparts. “It’s just like running a bank account” and “all you have to do is multiply one number by another,” are two of the most common remarks associated with administering this type of arrangement.
Considering consolidation? Act now
With the question of consolidation no longer if, but rather when, Trafalgar House warns schemes to act now if they are considering consolidation, outlining the possible implications for administrators and how to best prepare.
Rip-Off Britain
The Trafalgar Multi-Asset Fund mentioned on the 18 October 2018 edition of Rip-Off Britain Live on BBC One in connection with a pension scam has nothing whatsoever to do with Trafalgar House or any of the schemes we administer. If in doubt, visit the ScamSmart website.
Where there’s blame, there’s often no claim
When a pension scheme changes administrator, one universal truth applies: data issues and historical errors will be uncovered. First-hand experience of countless administration transitions has taught me that if schemes change administrator, then at least one of a handful of common issues will be uncovered.
Cash flow management is DB's new admin headache
The balance of payments for defined benefit pension schemes has shifted. With estimated active DB members numbering less than 500,000 and more than 5m members in receipt of their pension, most DB schemes have a negative cash flow.
Using robotics to maximise the quality of advice for members
Ever lied to your doctor? Exaggerate the amount of sunscreen you use and downplay the junk food and units of alcohol consumed? Don’t feel too upset, we’re all at it.
Trafalgar House appointed to The ITN Pension Scheme
The ITN Limited Pension Scheme appoints Trafalgar House for the outsourced administration of its £300m scheme.
Freedom, choice and equality
Taylor Smith discusses the momentum that is gathering behind the Daily Mail campaign to allow people to commute annuities purchased before April 2015.
What the regulator’s corporate plan means for pensions administration
At the start of May the Pensions Regulator published its corporate plan for 2018-2021 outlining some of the key areas of focus that would drive its aim of becoming “clearer, quicker and tougher”.
Trustees can’t relax about GDPR, it’s time to focus on data breach response
Trafalgar House, the pensions administration specialist, have advised that two months on from the introduction of GDPR schemes need to ensure they have a response plan in place to deal with any data breaches, and provided some tips for establishing a working plan.
Trafalgar House launches dedicated transition team, along with further expansion
Trafalgar House, the pensions administration specialist, has announced the launch of its new dedicated transition team. This comes in response to increased market demand and follows a sustained recruitment drive to bolster Trafalgar House’s existing team of specialists.
Old and new worlds meet - lessons from DB scheme closures
For administrators, DB scheme closures have become routine and there are ‘three Cs’ that summarise much of the required activity; calculation, communication and crystallisation. However, despite all the experience and practice the industry has had in managing scheme closures, some common administration mistakes still crop up.
Putting members into categories that no longer fit
Employed-deferred members do not fit squarely into either the active or deferred box; they are a hybrid of both. They are a special type of member with their own particular needs and trustees should ensure that the contracts and processes of their administration provider reflect the unique needs of this group.
Trafalgar House win Third-Party Administrator of the Year at UK Pensions Awards 2018
Trafalgar House is delighted to have been named Third-Party Administrator of the Year at this year's UK Pensions Awards.
What are trustees' responsibilities when it comes to DB transfers?
Some 100,000 defined benefit transfers took place in the 2017/18 financial year, according to estimates by the Pensions Regulator. This figure marries with the experience of pensions administrators, who have recorded significant increases in transfer activity since pension freedoms were introduced.
What do pension scheme members really want?
Remember that 90’s romcom where Mel Gibson could get inside the heads of women and find out what they were thinking? Their every thought, wants, and desires? Just imagine if pension administrators could do the same thing, and suddenly understand what scheme members really wanted! If we could only hear their thoughts and wishes, we could tailor our services to provide the solutions they crave...
Changing pensions administrators? Here are five top tips for a smooth transition
Changing your pension administrator is a big deal. Let’s face it, most trustees are at least a little resistant to change given the complexity and perceived risk involved. Even with meticulous planning and research, plenty of headaches await should you fail to get it right.
Will Brexit make us fall in love with offshoring again?
Reduced access to international employees and an overall skills drain in the pensions administration sector could significantly restrict supply. But is offshoring the solution?
European Pensions Awards 2018
We are pleased to announce our shortlisting in the ‘Pension Scheme Administrator of the Year’ category at the European Pension Awards.
Trafalgar House appointed to The Costain Pension Scheme
The Costain Pension Scheme appoints Trafalgar House for first-time outsourced administration of its £780m scheme
Forget about invention - reinvention is what pension administrators need
What too many pension administration providers fail to realise is that they have the power to be proactive now. If we could only stop succumbing to our bewilderment and fear at the thought of AI and robotic breakthroughs; we might just realise the change can already be made.
Pension and Investment Provider Awards 2018
We are incredibly proud to have been shortlisted as third-party administrator of the year at the highly prestigious FT Pension and Investment Provider Awards.
Women in Pensions Awards 2018
Congratulations to Karla Bradstock FPMI, Gillian Hickey and Jenny Monger for being nominated for the Women in Pensions Awards 2018.
Trafalgar House appointed to the Imerys UK Pension Scheme
Trafalgar House today announced its appointment as administrator to the Imerys UK Pension Scheme – a defined benefit pension scheme with 6,600 members and over £700m in assets.
How to get ready for the annual Pension Benefit Statement (IORP II)
The Pension Benefit Statement has a relatively simple list of required content but demands a complex journey to implement.
Think long-term when refreshing your scheme’s admin strategy
The word ‘strategy’ is most commonly associated with investment or derisking; rarely is any consideration given to a scheme’s administration strategy.
The evolution of pensions administration
Daniel Taylor, Client Director shares his insight on the evolution of pensions admin and ways providers can adapt to keep up with members’ growing needs.
PLSA Teach-In: Future proof your pensions administration by learning from the past
We are pleased to announce our next teach-in session, in association with The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association, on how to future proof your pensions administration service.
In or out?
At a time when ensuring data standards is ever-higher on trustees’ agendas, this Pension Age article considers the pros and cons of outsourced versus in-house administration.
Four key administration topics for 2018
Trustees need to be maximising the time and engagement they spend on administration this year to make sure they are fully prepared for a range of complex new requirements and deadlines.
Trafalgar House secures second consecutive exception-free AAF audit
Trafalgar House, the pensions administration specialist, has announced for the second consecutive year that it successfully completed its AAF 01/06 audit with no exceptions.
Three things you need to do in 2018 to get to buy-out
Top of the 2018 ‘to-do’ list for many DB trustees will be planning the process to achieve buy-out. In our latest Pension Funds Online article, we take a look at three key administration actions that should be considered before starting the buy-out process
Are we focusing on the wrong type of online engagement?
We take a look at the topical issue of online engagement from the industry. With the focus on members, the piece will ask whether the industry should stop simply trying to engage a disengaged DB membership base and instead focus on what client portals can bring to sponsors and trustees (both DB & DC)?
2018 Pensions Age Awards
We are pleased to have been shortlisted at the 2018 Pensions Age awards.
Video: My Work Pension
Watch our video to find out more about the features and functionality of our brand new member website, my work pension.
Video: Pensions administration - beyond the SLA
Watch the video from the PLSA summarising our teach-in session on the factors that influence high-quality administration
More change, not less...
Jenny Monger discusses the need for change as the real risk for schemes is accepting current administration standards and not taking that leap.
Podcast: Cyber security - is your scheme protected?
Podcast: Cyber security has risen up the agenda for pension funds in recent years. In the wake of ransomware attacks affecting computer systems across the world, and with new data protection requirements on the horizon, Margaret Snowdon, chairman of the Pensions Administration Standards Association, and Dan Taylor, client director at third-party administrator Trafalgar House, explain how trustees can safeguard their schemes.
No one is moving to Malta
Trafalgar House says administering the overseas transfer system is an unnecessary cost for the government and industry and that members seeking to move their money overseas simply for financial gain should face the tax implications of the decision.
Video: Are your pension scheme members being let down?
Are your pension scheme members being let down? Get in touch with Joe Anderson to find out how we can improve your member experience.
Trafalgar House recognised as an Investor In People
Trafalgar House has today announced its successful accreditation by Investors in People, the leading internationally-recognised assessor of effective people management.
Developing the digital journey
Daniel Taylor takes a look at the digital solutions available to members of occupational pension schemes in our latest blog
Cold calling ban is a start for preventing scams, but not the end.
Following the news that the government has stepped up its measures to prevent pension scams by including emails and text messages in its cold-calling ban, Michael De Souza considers the role the administrator has to play in scam prevention.
Why do well-funded small schemes struggle to reach buyout?
Read Gillian Hickey's Pensions Expert article about why well-funded small schemes sometimes struggle to reach buyout.
How to successfully manage your administrator
The relationship between trustees and their scheme administrator is critical to good pensions governance. But are both sides focusing on the right details? Greg Rice, member services manager at Trafalgar House, gives some tips
To outsource or not to outsource
In this article featured in Professional Pensions, Dan Taylor asks whether schemes should outsource for the first time or stay in-house.
Admin transitions: Avoid the sting in the tail
In this Pensions Expert Article, Joe Anderson sets out the steps that all schemes should take now to avoid costly transition fees when moving administrator
Video: Buyout ready administration
Watch the video from the PLSA of our webinar on how to get your scheme ready for buyout
Cybersecurity is not just an IT problem
Daniel Taylor urges the pension industry to take cyber security seriously with rigorous training and testing.
Trafalgar House calls for clearer guidance to update ‘woefully out of date’ scheme literature
More guidance is needed to compel trustees to update important scheme literature, such as member booklets, to avoid complications, confusion and complaints from members
Data Protection Bill gives welcome clarity for schemes and members
Data Protection Bill gives welcome clarity for schemes and members, says Trafalgar House
End of the 'one-stop shop'
Garry Wake reveals some often-overlooked disadvantages to using one provider for both administration and actuarial work
Trafalgar House secures exception-free AAF audit
Trafalgar House has announced that it successfully completed its latest AAF 01/06 audit with no exceptions
Video: Working with other advisers
Watch our video to find out how we connect and coordinate with other advisers to provide a joined-up service
First time outsourcing
Gillian Hickey, Client Projects Manager, highlights the unique challenges that first time outsourcing projects present when compared to a more typical provider to provider administration transition
European Pensions Awards 2017
We are pleased to have been shortlisted at the European Pensions Awards 2017 in the category of Pension Scheme Administrator of the Year.
Pensions Podcast: The admin taboo; changing administrator
Daniel Taylor, Client Director at Trafalgar House and Alan Pickering, Chairman of BESTrustees, discuss the 'taboo' subject of changing administrator
Transition is just the first of three phases for transforming your admin
Trafalgar House has advised that service transformation is what can bring real benefits to schemes who have changed administrator
How has freedom and choice affected transfer behaviour?
We take a statistical look at DB transfer quotations, payments and destinations since the introduction of freedom and choice in 2014
Pension and Investment Provider Awards 2017
We are shortlisted for the 2017 FT PIPAs in the category of Third-Party Administrator of the Year!
Video: How to change administrators - tips, traps and tales
Watch the video from the PLSA summarising our teach-in session on changing administrators
Conditional data is just the tip of the iceberg
Conditional data is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to resolving issues during an admin transition
Transition or transformation?
Jenny Monger takes a look at the difference between scheme transition and service transformation
UK Pensions Awards 2017
We've been shortlisted for a 2017 UK Pensions Award in the Third-Party Administrator of the Year category
Trafalgar House partners with Investor in Customers
Trafalgar House has partnered with Investor in Customers to deliver a new 360-degree member and trustee feedback programme.
Brewster decision will lead to a rise in member complaints unless trustees act
Trustees should act now to head off an inevitable rise in member complaints following the Brewster decision around the rights to benefits for unmarried couples in public sector schemes.
Four things to talk to your administrator about
Here are the four things Trustees should talk to their administrators about to make the most of meetings
Ask your administrator four key things this year
Trustees should be making the most of their administrator during meetings
Video: Do you know how to talk to pension scheme members?
Watch our essential guide on how to develop and deliver effective member communications
PLSA teach-in: How to change administrators
We are pleased to announce the launch of an educational seminar, in association with the PLSA
How to avoid excessive exit fees
Toby Clark takes a look at how Trustees can avoid excessive exit fees when changing administrator
Client update – changes to HMRC data submissions
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are advising pension schemes to be prepared for the introduction of a new system that replaces Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) in April 2018.
Latest Revaluation Orders leave some members with a complex retirement decision
The recent Occupational Pensions (Revaluation) Orders mean deferred members approaching retirement now need to think carefully about when to take their pension
Thank you...
Thank you to all of our clients, partners and supporters for attending our 10 year anniversary celebration on 24 November.
Celebrating 10 years...
This evening we welcome clients and supporters to our new offices to mark our 10th anniversary.
Autumn Statement means now is the time to take advantage of pensions salary sacrifice
Trafalgar House, the pensions administration specialist, advised that the changes to salary sacrifice on some employee benefits announced in today’s Autumn Statement gives a great opportunity to encourage employers to push their pension arrangements.
Autumn Statement: What the Chancellor should do for pensions
In this article from Professional Pensions, Garry Wake considers what's in store for the Annual Allowance as the industry gives its thoughts on the upcoming Autumn Statement
Protecting your greatest asset
Daniel Taylor, Director at Trafalgar House, looks at the steps Trustees should take to ensure their data is safeguarded
Daniel Taylor joins Trafalgar House
Trafalgar House, the pensions administration specialist, today announced the appointment of Daniel Taylor to the newly created Director position to bolster their executive leadership team...
The record holders always win
We take a look at the key data items that pension schemes should consider before embarking on a de-risking project
We've moved...
Members aren't asking for the world...
Trafalgar House, the pensions administration specialist, today called on the industry to remember its roots and focus on the basics of member service as the industry goes through continual change.
The end is nigh, but when?
Joe Anderson, Business Development Manager at Trafalgar House, considers how long DB expertise will continue to be needed.
Threat of a DB skills gap needs to be averted says Trafalgar House
Trafalgar House, the pensions administration specialist, today called on the industry to do what it takes to avoid a DB skills gap arising in the future and its resulting impact on providers’ ability to competently manage DB schemes.
Schemes need to lose the mindset that changing administrators is too difficult, says Trafalgar House
Schemes should not let the notion that changing administrators is difficult prevent them from getting the best for their members.
Trafalgar House appoints Robert Branagh as Non-Executive Director
Left waiting...
Taylor Smith, Senior Pensions Associate at Trafalgar House, looks at the way we communicate with members
Chain's as strong as its weakest link
In the relentless battle to protect employee data in all its forms, companies need to be ever-vigilant and on the front foot, to ensure that both they and their suppliers are equipped to meet the ever-changing demands of cyber security.
Reports of the demise of the administrator are greatly exaggerated
Joe Anderson discusses the future of administrators and technology in the latest blog for Pension Funds Online
The GMP reconciliation deadline is fast approaching – how to get there if you’re late.
We’ve known for a long time that the abolition of contracting-out in April 2016 means every contracted-out scheme needs to go through a GMP reconciliation sooner or later.
Meeting the Expectations of the 21st Century Pension Scheme Member
Change is a word we’re very used to in the pensions industry. There have been so many changes over the last couple of years alone, that it can sometimes feel like a struggle to keep up.
PMI News - Admin's role in getting members to freedom
The policy of bringing greater freedom to pensions benefits has been largely accepted as a positive step. But whilst it’s easy to simply announce the idea, for those doing the hard work to actually make it happen there is lots to consider.
Trustees must avoid Cyber Security inertia and make it more than a point in time assessment
Trustees must avoid Cyber Security inertia and make it more than a point in time assessment, says Trafalgar House
Time for administrators to raise their game
Time for administrators to raise their game, says Trafalgar House
