The Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) has released an update from its defined contribution (DC) Working Group. It published the June 2024 issue of DC Governance Watch which focuses on the Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) July 2023 consultation ‘helping savers understand their pension choices’ and the PASA’s response. It also covers trustees’ current responsibilities and what they could be doing to best oversee and administer their schemes.

The Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) has announced the publication of new operational readiness guidance for guided retirement, which is intended to help trustees, administrators and providers of defined contribution (DC) pension schemes assess their preparedness to deliver guided retirement in practice as the industry moves towards implementation, now expected from 2029. PASA has urged DC schemes to begin readiness work now rather than wait for the final framework, cautioning that the scale of the operational change involved means the additional implementation time will need to be used carefully.

The Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA), in conjunction with Deloitte, has published its Data Management Plan (DMP) Guidance. The purpose of a DMP is for a trustee to formalise their approach to managing and improving their pension scheme data and can include a list of key data held by the scheme and the processes for receiving, sharing and managing data. The guidance sets out detailed examples of content that can be included in DMPs.

The Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) has published a question and answer (Q&A) document following its webinar on the Dashboards Data Matching Guidance and Toolkit, bringing together questions raised by attendees during and after the session and reflecting sector engagement as dashboards move from planning into testing and delivery.

The Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) has published the first part of a three-part guidance series from its Digital Administration Working Group, setting out how pension schemes can establish strong foundations for effective digital transformation. The guidance, titled ‘Delivering Effective Digital Transformation – Practical Guidance for Schemes at All Stages of Their Journey: Part One – Setting Strong Foundations’, provides practical steps for schemes starting or advancing their digital journey. Part two, expected in January 2026, will focus on actionable strategies and planning frameworks for delivering digital transformation, regardless of scheme size or digital maturity.

The Pension Administration Standards Association (PASA) has published guidance on the operational challenges facing pension scheme administrators as default retirement solutions are introduced under the Pension Schemes Bill. The guidance, titled ‘Default Retirement: The Operational Challenge Facing Administrators’, addresses how guided retirement duties will reshape defined contribution administration, requiring schemes to provide default pension benefit solutions designed to deliver a regular income in retirement. Master trusts are expected to deliver solutions from 2027, with single employer schemes and group personal pensions following from 2028, leaving limited time for administrators to develop capabilities such as member segmentation, data collection, pension payroll and tax processing. The guidance identifies key risks, including system strain, data challenges, increased complexity and the need to better support vulnerable or disengaged members, warning that without early planning and close industry collaboration, operational constraints could undermine reforms intended to improve retirement outcomes. It also sets out practical preparation steps for administrators, including assessing system readiness, engaging with trustees, exploring delivery models and strengthening communication strategies. PASA states that it will continue to work with industry stakeholders to support the development of practical and deliverable solutions as further regulatory detail emerges.

The Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) has published guidance on preparing for the change to Normal Minimum Pension Age (NMPA) ahead of the increase to age 57 from 6 April 2028.

The Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) has published new guidance to help pension schemes, providers and administrators resolve Possible Matches arising through pensions dashboards. ‘Resolving Possible Matches – FAQ Approach’ is the latest addition to PASA’s Dashboards Toolkit and sets out practical considerations for designing clear, secure and accessible resolution processes.

The Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) has published interim guidance to help administrators, providers and service centres respond clearly and consistently to member enquiries about pensions dashboards.

The Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) has published new guidance, ‘The Six Data Quality Dimensions for Pension Scheme Member Data’ and a supporting Data Improvement Plan (DIP) template, following the publication of the Pensions Regulator’s (TPR) updated member data quality guidance. PASA states that its publications are designed to help trustees and administrators assess, monitor and improve pension scheme data in line with strengthened regulatory expectations.

The Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) has published its guidance, ‘Use of AI in Pensions Administration – Embrace the Opportunity with Caution’, offering practical support for schemes, administrators, and trustees regarding the opportunities and risks associated with Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption. It highlights the importance of high-quality data as the cornerstone of successful AI implementation.

The Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) has published a de-risking Jargon Buster, providing explanations of common de-risking terminology for defined benefit pension schemes. This resource is designed to support administrators, trustees, and sponsors by clarifying the complex language associated with de-risking strategies, which are increasingly essential as defined benefit schemes mature. It aims to offer clear explanations of key de-risking options of commonly used de-risking terms and options, including liability management exercises, buy-ins, buy-outs, capital-backed journey plans, and longevity swaps, while outlining the associated administrative and governance implications. As the first in a planned series of resources, the guide aims to foster enhanced understanding, robust project planning, and improved data quality, thereby facilitating the smoother execution of de-risking strategies. Ian Wort, Chair of the PASA De-risking Journey Management Working Group, together with PASA Chair David Fairs, emphasises the significance of this initiative in supporting effective scheme decision-making.