The Art of Challenge

Most pension scheme trustees are supported by reputable, good quality professional advisers. As the Pensions Regulator states, this is a vital part of governance, enabling trustees to help run their scheme well by providing additional expertise, skills and knowledge to that held by the trustees themselves.

The sponsoring employer is also likely to be supported by a group of advisers that may have a different primary objective the that of the trustee, one that is more aligned to the interests of the employer than to the interest of scheme members.

But all advisers – Ross Trustees included – like to make money.

It’s important therefore, that when presented with a proposal from an adviser – whether trustee adviser or company adviser – that trustees take a step back, scrutinise the objectives of the proposal and its potential benefits for the scheme and scheme members:

• Are the assumptions used appropriate?
• What are the potential risks for the trustee?
• What are the potential risks for members?
• Does the proposal reflect the scheme, its membership, the benefits offered?
• Does the proposal reflect market conditions, industry views and best practice?

It can be hard, however, to see the wood for the trees. This is where we can help: providing a critical review and objective assessment of the risks and likely benefits of a proposal for the scheme and its members, and giving the trustees the confidence to make an informed decision as to whether to proceed or not.

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