Tips for avoiding communications traps
7 June 2021

Tips for avoiding communications traps

Insight Partner

Many trustees and employers are on a constant quest to capture the interest of their membership, and with good reason: there’s a clear correlation between improved member engagement and better member outcomes. With greater information and understanding, members are more likely to make appropriate decisions, keep their scheme up-to-date with the information it requires, and be less likely to fall victim to a scam. But schemes must be careful about the ‘hows’ and ‘whats’, particularly in the light of a couple of recent industry publications. So, how can we make sure employees are engaged and financially literate, whilst avoiding the risks inherent in doing so?

How you say it

While the Swedish ‘orange envelope’ for pensions communications hasn’t yet been adopted here, the concept gives us food for thought: simple, attention grabbing and informative.

The Pensions Regulator’s (TPR’s) issued draft single code reminds us of some sensible principles to apply. It expects communications to:

  • be “accurate, clear, concise, relevant and in plain English”
  • make use of technology appropriate for their scheme’s membership, and that a variety of methods should be considered
  • be accessible, both in terms of format (e.g. audio, Braille, large font), and languages (other than English) used
  • communications should also be regularly reviewed, taking account of any member feedback.
What you say

A good website (ideally one that works well across mobile formats) can be a powerful communication tool. But schemes mustn’t forget the data protection angles here. If a website allows members to access or upload any personal data (e.g. a new address, or change to death benefit nominations), trustees must ensure that data protection requirements are being met. If, for example, engagement is monitored, with data collected to track usage of the website, the data policy must permit that, and that purpose must be reflected in the privacy notice. This could be covered off in any campaign to launch or refresh the site or to encourage members to log in.

And what if schemes want to offer financial education?

Trustees and employers have had a recent reminder to reassess the focus of member communications. In March, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and TPR launched updated guidance for schemes on “providing support with financial matters without needing to be subject to FCA regulation”.

The commentary and examples clarify behaviours which could stray across the line to ‘arranging or advising’ on transactions, and which would then require FCA authorisation. In particular, this includes providing members with benefit illustrations (unless with context and caveats, and without encouragement), or examples of the decisions someone should make regarding their benefit options. All member communications need to strike the right balance between giving factual information, and signposting independent advice and information services like The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS) and Pension Wise (both shortly to be rebranded as MoneyHelper).

This seems like a useful point in time to consider communications afresh and to check that ‘how you say it’ is powerful without being problematic.

Notes/Sources

This article was featured in Pensions Aspects magazine June 2021 edition.

back to Pensions Aspects Magazine

Last update: 3 June 2021

Katharine Swire
Katharine Swire
Sackers
Associate Director

Pensions Projects & Change Manager

Salary: £50000 - £60000 pa

Location: Bristol

Senior Pensions Administrator - Manchester

Salary: £30000 - £42000 pa

Location: Manchester, Greater Manchester

Pensions Data Analyst - Edinburgh/ Hampshire

Salary: £30000 - £50000 pa

Location: Edinburgh

You may also like:

Keeping Up with TKU
15 November 2021

Keeping Up with TKU

Trustee Knowledge and Understanding (TKU) is not a new concept: introduced in 2006, it is a vital aspect of the modern trustee role, ever developing in scope. With further changes fast approaching, trustees need to be mindful of those which will impact them and when they come into force.

Find out More
Preparing your transfer procedures in light of the proposed scams regulations
08 October 2021

Preparing your transfer procedures in light of the proposed scams regulations

The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Conditions for Transfers) Regulations 2021 (the Regulations) are expected to come into force in ‘early autumn’. Aiming to better protect members from scams by introducing new conditions restricting statutory rights to transfer, the changes mean that schemes need to revisit their existing processes.

Find out More