The report of the Director, West Yorkshire Pension Fund

(Document “C”) provides an update on West Yorkshire Pension Fund’s (WYPF) pensions administration activities for the period 1 January 2022 to 31 March 2022.

Recommended –

That the report be noted.

(Yunus Gajra  - 01274 432343)

The report of the Director, West Yorkshire Pension Fund

(Document “C”) provided an update on West Yorkshire Pension Fund’s (WYPF) pensions administration activities for the period 1 January 2022 to 31 March 2022.

The report revealed that as well as providing pensions administration for WYPF scheme members, WYPF provided a full administration service to Lincolnshire Pension Fund, the London Borough of Hounslow and more recently the London Borough of Barnet and to twenty-three Fire Authorities. That included 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 such as actuaries, and local authorities for the production of the scheme accounts.  

Performance and Benchmarking figures revealed performance against key areas of work for the period 1 January 2022 to 31 March 2022.  The majority of performance indicators had been met or exceed and the rationale for any underperformance was provided. 

The report presented work in progress; scheme information; praise and complaints; internal dispute resolution procedures; administration and staffing updates; employer training; figures depicting member using the Member Portal and categories where the fund had been shortlisted for awards.

A Member questioned the use of acronyms and requested clarification on AVC.  In response it was explained that members had the option to pay Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) to the fund or from two independent AVC providers, Prudential and Scottish Widows, to accrued benefits outside of the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Monthly posting performance figures contained in the report were questioned and it was explained that, some years previously, the fund had moved from posting annual returns to producing monthly returns on members’ records.  This had been to prevent data cleansing issues required on outdated information.  The Finance Team were currently helping the Contact Centre answer high call volumes following the distribution of P60s and letters to pensioners regarding My Pension registration. Those arrangements had been necessary following a decision to move staff to areas with more critical issues.  It was acknowledged to an employer representative that Bradford University had been part of a pilot scheme to test the monthly returns process and confirmed that performance had improved significantly since that pilot.

Engagement in employer training was questioned and it was confirmed that involvement had been good with most employers.  The provision of webinars had increased that engagement with many training videos accessed via the fund’s website. 

Disaster recovery plans were queried and it was explained that these had been unofficially tested during COVID when all staff had suddenly to work from home.  Measures had to be in place to ensure that all payments were made.   It was explained that the fund had a backup data centre and all systems were tested.  It was explained that if, for any reason, the payroll process could not be operated banks would be instructed to make payments as in the previous month.  The likelihood of cyber-attacks was of greater concern with increased remote working. Training for Members on that issue had been provided at a previous meeting. 

Resolved - 

That the report be noted.

Action: Director, West Yorkshire Pension Fund