The study, which surveyed trustees from 119 UK pension schemes across both DB and DC, found that while 38% of schemes are actively planning or considering an administration review or replacement, a significant majority remain stagnant, potentially increasing risks around member outcomes and regulatory compliance.
The findings come in the wake of The Pensions Regulator’s (TPR) updated guidance (December 2025), which reinforces that trustees remain legally responsible for administration quality, even when outsourced.
According to the data, 38% of schemes are taking action, 16% are benchmarking, and 14% are conducting service reviews, while 8% are actively looking to replace their provider. Of those seeking a new provider, 80% cite poor service - particularly in project delivery - as the primary driver. 62% of schemes also have no plans to review or benchmark their administration.
Endgame focus may create oversight risks
The research highlights a notable trend regarding schemes approaching buy-out or consolidation. Of the schemes not planning a review, 37% cited their endgame focus as the reason. This could be a missed opportunity. Prioritising administration and data integrity ahead of a transition is proven to drive endgame efficiencies and secure better outcomes for members. Neglecting oversight at this stage can lead to costly delays and diminished member experiences during the transition.
Sankar Mahalingham, Head of Pensions Growth at Law Debenture, commented: "Member expectations have been fundamentally reshaped by the digital world. Accustomed to frictionless service in banking and retail, members now apply those same standards to their retirement. When administration falls short - through poor communication, data errors or slow processing - the impact is often felt during the most emotionally and financially significant moments of a members life."
“While the level of activity is encouraging on the surface, much of it remains reactive. For many schemes, administration only rises to the top of the boardroom agenda when risks or failures have already manifested - often when it is too late to prevent member harm.
"The question facing trustees is no longer simply whether their administrator is performing, but whether they have the governance frameworks in place to properly assess and oversee that performance"
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