TPR fines fellow watchdog for pension scheme failures

This is the highest penalty that TPR can issue to pension schemes for failure to comply with its chair statement.

The chair’s statement is the paperwork that lays out the actions DC schemes have taken to comply with various requirements. Some of the key elements it must include are information in relation to the scheme’s default fund and its governance, the costs and charges and the assessment of value for members.

Speaking to Pensions Expert, an FCA spokesperson said: “In considering the FCA Pension Plan’s application to become an authorised master trust, TPR reviewed its 2018 DC governance statement and ruled it contained insufficient detail.

“The FCA Pension Plan trustee has apologised to members of the plan, and reviewed systems and processes to ensure all the required information is available to members and the 2019 governance statement (provided in October) was fully compliant. The plan’s application to become an authorised master trust has been approved.”

The CIPP reported that TPR ruled there was crucial detail missing in relation to regular training that trustee boards should have been provided in order to retain their knowledge of the scheme’s governing documentation.

It also said the FCA failed to provide historical information surrounding fund managers’ costs and charges for default and non-default strategies, as well as no date being provided for the FCA’s most recent review of its investment strategy.