Hymans Robertson has launched an updated version of its LGPS Online Learning Academy (LOLA), designed to help Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) committee members meet incoming knowledge and skills requirements.

The consultancy said the revised platform, LOLA 3.0, has been redesigned to be more interactive and user-friendly, while supporting funds in preparing for potential future regulatory changes. Hymans Robertson principal governance consultant, Andrew McKerns, said the new requirements mean committee members will need to demonstrate a good understanding of pensions as individuals, rather than solely as part of a collective body. He argued that funds should begin preparing now, particularly those with newly elected committee members, adding that the updated platform provides training across areas including pensions legislation, governance, investment strategy, financial management, procurement and behavioural skills. The consultancy added that LOLA 3.0 includes enhanced reporting capabilities to help fund officers maintain accurate training records and demonstrate compliance with regulatory expectations.

The Rothesay Foundation and Iceland Foods have launched a new initiative to help older customers access unclaimed state benefits.

The 'Benefits Boost' campaign is backed by a £1.8m commitment from the Rothesay Foundation and will provide free benefits checks and application support for Iceland customers aged 66 and over. The initiative, delivered by benefits support organisation Kinly, is expected to help more than 7,500 customers access over £37m in additional annual income. Customers who have already used the service have secured an average annual increase in benefits of around £5,000. The campaign comes amid ongoing concerns over benefit take-up among pensioners, with government figures showing that only 62 per cent of those entitled to Pension Credit received it in the last financial year.

Barnett Waddingham has been appointed by the Pensions Archive Trust (PAT) to provide pro bono secretariat and governance support.

The independent charity preserves records of the history and development of pensions in the UK, providing resources for research, learning, and education. Under the arrangement, Barnett Waddingham's board management services team will provide ongoing governance and secretariat support, helping the trust strengthen its governance processes, enhance compliance and embed best practice. Barnett Waddingham partner and head of pensions governance and secretariat, Lucy Cresswell, said the firm was "delighted" to support the trust, while PAT chair, Jeff Highfield, explained that the appointment would enable the organisation to devote more time to its mission of preserving the history of occupational pensions.

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