Industry bodies have broadly welcomed The Pensions Regulator’s (TPR) updated administration guidance, emphasising that the strengthened expectations mark a significant step forward in improving saver outcomes.

The guidance, published yesterday, places administration at the centre of scheme governance, sets out clearer standards on data, systems, communications and oversight, and applies to all scheme types.

The Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) strongly endorsed the new framework, noting that it explicitly referenced three core pillars of its work: data management plan guidance, the PASA Code of Conduct on Administration Provider
Transfers, and its independent accreditation framework.

PASA chair, David Fairs, claimed the recognition underscored the organisation’s central role in raising standards.

“We welcome TPR’s new guidance and are delighted to see PASA’s work referenced so clearly,

“Strong administration is fundamental to delivering good outcomes for savers, and trustees now have clearer expectations and practical tools to support them," he continued.

“This is an important moment for the industry; administration is now recognised as the strategic priority it should have always been.”

Pensions Management Institute (PMI), chief strategy officer, Helen Forrest Hall, also backed the updates, recognising that the guidance now applies across all scheme types and places greater emphasis on assessing performance beyond traditional service-level agreements (SLAs).

"The strengthened focus on robust member communications, data governance and IT oversight is fundamental to good pensions governance,” she said.

Forrest Hall added that the PMI’s own Industry Administration Working Group would continue to support schemes in meeting the new expectations and share examples of good practice.

However, pension administration firm, Trafalgar House, warned that while the guidance provided clarity, voluntary compliance is no longer sufficient to lift standards across the whole market.

Trafalgar House client director, Daniel Taylor, said: “TPR’s new guidance is a positive step, and I’m pleased to see administration finally treated as the strategic function it has always been.

"Trustees now have a much clearer picture of what good looks like, and administrators have fewer places to hide behind vague expectations,” he noted.

Taylor argued, though, that “guidance alone won’t shift the dial fast enough”.

“The schemes most in need of improvement are often the least likely to act on voluntary frameworks," he continued.

"Mandatory data strategies, mandatory accreditation, mandatory evidence that systems and processes are fit for purpose - these aren’t burdens, they are the minimum safeguards members should expect.”

Meanwhile, LCP partner, Justine Joy, welcomed the clearer expectations around administrator skills and accreditation.

“The guidance will act as a useful checklist for trustees to work through and make sure they are getting the service both they and their members deserve,” she said.

Joy highlighted the importance of administrator qualifications and PASA accreditation in helping trustees assess quality and capability, particularly when considering a change of provider.

Indeed, Brightwell head of admin consulting, Michelle Esterkin, stressed that administration remained central to the member experience.

“It’s the glue that holds everything together, and we welcome this guidance which clearly sets out TPR’s expectations of the roles of administrators and trustees in this increasingly crucial part of the pensions ecosystem,” she stated.

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