The report of the Director, West Yorkshire Pension Fund, (Document “L”) provides an update on West Yorkshire Pension Fund’s (WYPF) pensions administration activities over the last six months.

Recommended –

That the report be noted.

(Yunus Gajra – 01274 432343)

Resolved –

That the report be noted.

Action: Director, West Yorkshire Pension Fund

The report of the Director, West Yorkshire Pension Fund (Document “L”) was submitted to the Pension Board to provide an update on the administration activities undertaken in the previous six months.

In addition to providing pensions administration for WYPF scheme members,
WYPF provides a full administration service to Lincolnshire Pension Fund, the
London Boroughs of Hounslow and Barnet plus twenty one Fire Authorities. This service includes pensioner payroll (except for the London Borough of Hounslow), all member and scheme level events, reporting to statutory bodies, provision of data to external bodies and local authorities for the production of the scheme accounts.

The report included a variety of statistics that detailed performance against a number of key performance indicators (KPI’s) and explanation was given for underperformance against a number of these.  The work being undertaken was also broken down into types and showed work in progress and work pending which provided a clear picture of where the volume of work was and what type of tasks were included.

The bulk of work in terms of volume consisted of the following categories:

Current Member – changes to member records, changes to AVC’s, queries from monthly postings

Early Leavers – calculation of refunds, calculation of deferred benefits, contribution postings, queries

Linkings – multiple employments where members can link those employments

Misc – All other types of work i.e. phones calls to return, general enquiries.

Retirements - Retirement quotes and actuals, deferred benefits into payment
(quote and actual)

Transfers – Transfers in and out (quote and actual), AVC transfers, Divorce.

The report also stated that membership was 470,031 across the various schemes and a breakdown was provided in a document appendix.

The latest information on complaints, praise, training and internal conflict resolution procedures was reported.  WYPF operated a two-stage procedure for resolving issues of conflict with stage 1 managed by employer adjudicators or the Director of WYPF in cases involving the administering authority (Bradford). Stage 2 appeals were considered by the Chief Executive of Bradford City Council.

Annual Benefit statements and Deferred Benefit statements were being issued electronically.  Members were encouraged to register online but hard copies were still available if any Members preferred paper copies.  The percentage of ABS/DBS statements issued on time stood in excess of 99%.

Some additional information was provided as an update for Members including details of recent audits with their outcomes, the latest information regarding recruitment, the numbers and percentages of member registration on the portal  and confirmation that WYPF had been shortlisted for three awards;

DB Scheme of the Year

Pension Scheme Communication Award

Pension Administration Award

Unfortunately, none of the awards were won by WYPF but it was significant recognition in relation to the calibre of the competition from both the public and private sector providers.

The report concluded that WYPF continued to provide an efficient and cost effective service of a high standard to both members and employers.

Officers further advised that the member survey taken had received positive feedback with the only complaint relating  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18