Pensions and Retirement Training Course on Pension Administration Best Practices

Module 1: Foundations of Pension Administration
Overview of pension administration functions and responsibilities
The link between good administration, governance, and fund sustainability
Roles and accountability of administrators, trustees, and service providers
Key challenges in modern pension administration
Case study: Evaluating administrative performance in a public pension scheme

Module 2: Governance, Controls, and Compliance Frameworks
Governance standards and oversight structures for pension operations
Internal controls, risk management, and segregation of duties
Understanding compliance requirements and fiduciary responsibilities
Regulatory reporting obligations and audit coordination
Workshop: Developing an internal control framework for a pension fund

Module 3: Data Management, Record-Keeping, and Systems Integration
Importance of accurate and complete member data
Data validation, security, and privacy protocols
Integration of pension administration systems (HR, payroll, finance)
Managing data migration and system updates
Practical exercise: Creating a pension data quality assurance checklist

Module 4: Member Services and Communication Excellence
Designing efficient member enrollment and exit procedures
Managing contributions, benefit processing, and payments
Communication strategies for transparency and member engagement
Handling grievances and appeals effectively
Role-play: Communicating pension updates to members during a system transition

Module 5: Technology, Digital Transformation, and Future Trends
Automation and digital tools in pension administration
Using pension management software and customer portals
Cybersecurity considerations in pension systems
Innovations in e-governance, AI, and blockchain for pension operations
Group project: Designing a digital transformation roadmap for a pension administrator